Follow us everywhere

Last year in November 2025 there were some really bad rainstorms that caused landslides in the mountain areas of the country. These landslides affected a major portion of the scenic train tracks from Kandy to Ella that we were going to take in February. Luckily, the route from Ella to Badulla that goes over the Nine-arch bridge was still intact and was about an hour’s ride one-way. Here we got to experience the beautiful jungle mountainside while riding this historic train. (See videos below) 👇🏻

Our journey on the train took us to Badulla a small town in the mountains. We strolled around taking in all the activities, visited the local temple and had fresh coconuts. Did you know that many of temples in Sri Lanka have a resident elephant for luck. The day we were there it was spa day for the elephant as we watched them hosing her off and scrubbing her feet 🐘

Speaking of spa day we also went back to a different Ayurvedic spa for another treatment. This time we did the traditional treatment along with the hot box. Yes, the hot box is exactly what it sounds like and the steam is created by coals and a water pan under the unit 😳 We wanted to do some hiking in the area but the rain got in the way. So a spa day and shopping was the perfect fit!

Something we try to do when we travel is to give back to a community in need. This time we visited a school outside of Ella. We asked our driver if he could ask around town and find a school that was in need of school supplies. It was a preschool of Tamil children whose parents normally work in the tea fields and came to Sri Lanka from southern India. Mali helped us find a store where we could buy notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, stickers, craft paper & glue for projects. The kids were very excited for our visit and each one wanted to shake our hand 😊 The two teachers were extremely grateful for the supplies and thanked us for the gift. It felt great to know how appreciated these supplies were to them.

Now we are journeying into the heart of the country. Our second adventure trip here was an elephant safari in Minneriya NP which offered a unique chance to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Here herds of elephants roam freely across grasslands and gather near water sources. No sooner we drove into the park we saw a small group of females at a water hole putting on mud to protect themselves from the sun and insects. Several babies were with them and they were teaching the young the sunscreen technique. Then we went to see if we could find a male since they live alone in the wild. In the forested area about a kilometer away he was feeding. Seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild is definitely an experience we will never forget. (See videos in comments below 👇🏻)

We were going to hike up the Sigiriya Lion Rock but our driver Mali advised against it for 2 reasons. First, they charge $36 per person 😮 and 2nd there is a line of people all day going up and down the singular staircase so very crowded. Instead, he suggested the rock next door Pidurangala Rock. It was a good call since there were very few people there and wide steps carved into the rock itself. As we neared the top there was a 7th century reclining Buddha carved into a small cave. The last bit of the trail involved actual climbing the rocks to the top. Once we reached the top the views were fabulous from there. We were actually looking at Sigiriya rock and all the people over there.

The next day we went for a boat ride around a small lake to a village to have a home cooked meal. But to get to the boat meant taking a oxen cart to the dock. Of course, Robb had to drive the cart since he’s not a good passenger 🤭 On the boat we went around the lake taking in all the nature. Our boat driver even stopped to make me a bouquet of flowers that grow in and around the lake. We arrived at the home of a local women who was showing us how she was preparing our lunch that day and you know we had kitchen duties too. Her kitchen was a very simple one but could cook a variety of dishes. We had a fantastic lunch before heading back.

Anuradhapura is one of the most famous ancient cities in Sri Lanka. It was the first capital of the country and is known for its rich history, culture, and religion. The city was founded more than 2,000 years ago and became an important center of Buddhism. Anuradhapura is famous for its beautiful temples, large stupas, and ancient ruins. Here we started our spiritual journey to discover the sacred places of Lord Buddha.

One of the most sacred sites in the city is the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree. This tree was grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree (in India) under which the Buddha attained enlightenment and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Many pilgrims visit this holy site every year. Here we visited the famous Bodhi Tree and the Ruwanweli Maha stupa that was built in 140 BC with a height of 103 meters (338 ft). Inside the stupa lies Buddha in a reclining position that is beautifully decorated.

Nearby in the ancient city we visited Kaludiya Pokuna and Isurumuniya Temple that are both carved rock temples. They were built as a monasteries used by Buddhist monks for meditation, believed to date back to around the 3rd century BCE, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. At one time it was believed that 500 monks lived here. The temples reflect the growth of Theravada Buddhism in ancient Sri Lanka and show how monasteries were integrated with natural landscapes. These monasteries existed till the end of the Anuradhapura kingdom around 1017 AD.

Mihinthalaya stupa complex is another ancient site in the area. Here there were several stupas and a large Buddha statue. It was a beautiful place set high on a rocky area with views of the whole surrounding valley. It was a very serene place to see all the happenings of daily life at the temple (see video below )👇🏻 Here was our first encounter with tufted grey langur monkeys. Little did we know they are everywhere in Sri Lanka.

In February we left Bali and flew over to Sri Lanka to spend a month exploring this large island. Our first stop was Negombo Beach, along Sri Lanka’s western coastline with gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean. Here we spent 5 days relaxing before our Sri Lankan adventure was to begin. One of the highlights in Negombo is the abundant seafood as local restaurants set up tables right on the sand serving up the freshest catches of the day. Crab dinners are a must-try here either steamed or curried. I believe we had crab every night we were there because it was so good!

Each morning while having breakfast at the rooftop restaurant we watched the catamarans sail out in the ocean and then head south towards the lagoon. We followed this by a walk on the beach and coffee with our toes in the sand. As sunset arrives, the beach transformed into a breathtaking canvas of color. Sunsets here were truly spectacular, painting the sky with brilliant hues of orange, pink, and gold.

Our first safari adventure was to Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest park and is a true paradise for wildlife lovers. Famed for its unique landscape of natural lakes called "villus," Wilpattu offered a serene and wild escape similar to Africa. We took two safaris in the park, one afternoon and a morning one. As we journeyed through the park’s thick forests and open grassy plains we saw a diversity of animals that call this untamed wilderness home.

Wilpattu is famous for its elusive leopards, making it one of the best places in the country to spot these predators. We only caught a glimpse of one crossing the road and then frolicking in the thick grass where he was barely visible. While on safari we saw an elephant near a lake, spotted deer & water buffalo grazing in the open, and a couple of different types of monkeys playing in the trees. The park is also home to mongoose, crocodiles, monitor lizards and a variety of birdlife that includes peacocks, eagles, and kingfishers. Each safari we did was new adventure, truly making it an awesome trip in the wild heart of Sri Lanka.