Written by Hollie Broadhead
Posted, 5th September 2022
For many years Bali has been the ultimate backpacker destination that every young traveller dreams of ticking off their bucket list, with every good reason of course!
But WATCH OUT!
There is a new kid on the block; she’s younger, cheaper, more diverse and certainly a lot less commercialised. Translating to “The Land of Serendipity” the name alone gets me excited and certainly gives me that warm fuzzy feeling of happiness!
Tropical beaches, lush green tea plantations, free roaming elephants, colourful sunsets and one hell of a history. Where has this place been hiding all this time?
Sri Lanka has been a popular honeymoon destination for quite some time now… however, since Lonely Planet named it ‘No.1 Destination to travel in 2019’ it is fast becoming a backpacking hotspot. With a rise of quirky hostels, Melbourne style brunch spots and an up & coming surf scene, it’s certainly a new favourite amongst pretty much everyone I speak too!
But what is it that makes this teeny tiny island in the heart of the Indian Ocean so special?
Honestly guys… I don’t even know where to start but I’m certainly going to try and give this beautiful corner of the world the credit it deserves!
ADVENTURE
And Sri Lanka has A LOT of it. Whether it comes in the way of hiking, surfing, or wild safariing you can literally be doing something completely different from 1 day to the next which really gives this country a huge tick in my box!
Imagine waking up for a sunrise safari in the heart of the jungle to then head to the beach to catch a wave in the afternoon… NOW THAT’S WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF 💪
RELAXATION
Ooo, they know how to do that too! 🥰
If you’re here to relax and unwind then seriously, you embrace those #islandlifevibes. Think beachside yoga flows and topping up your tan on one of many golden beaches along the tropical coastline. You’ll just want to make sure you’ve got a fresh coconut in hand for the ultimate Sri Lankan experience.
LANDSCAPES
Just WOW…
And that’s definitely a word you’ll use often enough while exploring the beauty Sri Lanka has to offer!
It’s breathtaking scenery consists of lush green tea plantations, paradise beaches, epic waterfalls and dramatic rolling hills. What more could you want, seriously?
CULTURE
One of my favourite things about this very special place!
The warmth and genuinity of the locals is something I will remember forever along with the Sri Lankan smile and THE “head wobble” – but i’ll leave that one for you to figure when you get there 😉
Did you know there are 4 main religions in Sri Lanka, with 2 official languages?
HISTORY
And that is one hell of a history you’re going to want to learn more about if you don’t know already!
Colonised 3 times with a huge European influence and an intense Civil War lasting 26 years. But no matter the struggles this country has faced over the years, I get the feeling that the people have stayed strong and positive, fighting for necessary change to better their country!
FOOD
Of course, saving the best till last… And I just can’t get enough of it! 🤤
On the back of the country’s history, Sri Lankan cuisine has definitely been shaped by its timeline sharing influences from South Indian, Europe and Indonesia.
Sri Lankan cuisine is a vegetarian’s heaven with “Rice & Curry” being it’s staple dish!
In a nutshell…SRI LANKA IS DIVERSE & UNDISCOVERED!
Travelling Sri Lanka feels like you’re experiencing multiple countries for the bargain price of one with something different to discover every day! And when I am here I feel fulfilled, I feel welcomed and I feel safe!
Not everyone knows how special Sri Lanka is just yet, but it won’t be long! We are seeing the beginning of the backpacker hype in Sri Lanka and although she won’t be going anyway… my biggest bit of advice; discover this incredible country NOW before everybody else does 😉
Want to see a route perfect for a 2 week holiday? https://www.feelfreetravel.com/tours/sri-lanka/12-days/ / Link to 2 week blog post
