Return from a trip – Interview
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, as seen through the eyes of Héloïse, a Travel Designer and Partner of Looking for Charly from Monaco.
Sri Lanka, a fascinating paradise and a destination that is full of surprises.
.
You just came back from there. What would you recommend for a first trip there?
The classics! Become an explorer for the day and discover Sigiriya by climbing the mysterious Lion Rock. Explore the sacred city of Kandy in the centre of the island, famous for its Buddhist temples. Journey on a panoramic train ride into the mountains, immersing yourself in the jungle. Stop off at a plantation in the region of Ella, walking in the footsteps of the tea pickers from colonial times, and spend the night in a refurbished factory that is still in operation. Take part in a local cooking class in the middle of a spice garden. Explore the wild plains in Yala. Discover the wildlife in its natural habitat during a safari. End on a high with a visit to the beautiful beaches of the south in Welligama to enjoy a few days of relaxation, and gaze in wonder at postcard-worthy sunsets against a backdrop of brave surfers. Nine to ten nights is a good start.
With which hotels did you fall in love?
Jetwing Vil Uyana :
in the north. One of the most iconic hotels in Sri Lanka, just a short distance from the UNESCO sites like that of Sigiriya, which is accessible by bike.
The lodge is located in the heart of a forest that is home to native lemurs, where the main building overhangs a pond covered with waterlilies. The twenty-three rooms, made from bamboo and reeds, spread out around rice fields. These places embody slow tourism to perfection. Everything there comes from short supply chains, with the herbs and vegetables, cooked sublimely by the chef, coming from the kitchen garden. The hotel is at the vanguard in terms of animal conservation, eco-tourism and social responsibility. Simple luxury that goes back to basics, as we love it.
Uga Chena Huts, in the south, is well-hidden along a beach bordered by dunes and rocks, very close to the Yala National Park, an animal sanctuary, meaning that the wildlife regularly wanders over into the resort’s shrubland. The lodge is made up of 14 huts – with 2 more planned for 2023 – sumptuously decorated and equipped with plunge pools. Each hut is quite hidden among the vegetation, which guarantees almost complete privacy. Like nests, the thatched-roof domes are spread out, connected by footbridges, to enable the many animals living there to make the most of their natural playground. Everything has been designed so as to limit the impact on nature: low energy consumption, solar panels, etc. The Uga group is renowned for its commitment to improving the lives of the communities in which it lives and works, as well as its efforts to ensure the environment is protected.
How did it go on site?
We travelled through wild places, including numerous national parks. We saw iconic, untouched beauty spots such as Adam’s Peak. We soaked in the peaceful atmosphere of the mountainous, and the lush greenery in the island’s central regions, as well as the serenity.
The guides have boundless knowledge on the history of the cultural and religious sites, which have given rise to the most thrilling legends. Our driver was readily available and made sure our transfers went smoothly, keeping us entertained with many anecdotes. At each stage, services were provided with panache, discretion and thoughtful care. You would never know of the current issues the people of Sri Lanka are facing, of which we only became aware during more in-depth discussions with our hosts.
In what way is Sri Lanka an exceptional destination?
We travelled through wild places, including numerous national parks. We saw iconic, untouched beauty spots such as Adam’s Peak. We soaked in the peaceful atmosphere of the mountainous, and the lush greenery in the island’s central regions, as well as the serenity of the immaculate beaches in the south-west, bordered by palm trees. To give you an idea, the spirituality of the places is soothing, it urges you to re-centre yourself and let go. Over there, travellers can observe, in just a few hours’ travel, the largest mammal on land, the elephant, in the Minneriya National Park, and father east (we didn’t have time to go there), the largest marine mammal, the whale, in the waters of Trincomalee.
Why go there?
As well as the magnificent panoramas, we were completely blown away and astonished by the variety of the regions, the untouched landscapes, the plentiful wildlife and the tropical savannah. For my part, I love exclusive venues, so I was impressed by the number of luxury hotels, which as a plus, are respectful of the environment.
Now is the time to support the economy and pay homage to the efforts the local teams have been making to keep up standards. Furthermore, for a reasonable budget, it is possible to stay at one of the island’s magnificent hotels, enjoying the very best in terms of room comfort, or dine at a top-notch restaurant, where local specialties are served in generous portions.
Speaking of gastronomy, is the food good in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lankan cuisine is full of surprises, just like the island itself. Everyone can find something to their liking, thanks to the variety of dishes on offer, from sophisticated, exotic fusions to more simple dishes of grilled fish. We enjoyed curry in all its forms, brightly coloured by the fresh spices that abound on the island. But be warned, although chefs can adapt to Western palates, our tastebuds were not always prepared for what we were served. Spices are used in everything, due to the fragrant aromas they disclose, but also because of their medicinal properties, recognised in Ayurvedic treatments.
To whom would you recommend this destination?
I would recommend it to anyone! There is something for everybody there, as I explained before. Couples, families, adventurers, walkers, divers, surfers, wellness tourists… There are even golf courses!
What did you bring back in your suitcase?
Tea, of course! Sri Lanka is one of the biggest tea producers in the world. I bought black tea, the most common type, and of course tea with cinnamon and with ginger. Spices, of which there is a huge choice, and cashew nuts!
Practical information
Sri Lanka? The “teardrop of India” has been feeling the negative effects of the media, which in the spring of this year was depicting a complicated economic and political context. And yet…
I hadn’t necessarily thought about it, like many travellers, but Sri Lanka truly deserves its nickname as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, because this destination is really beautiful. At the crossroads of Indonesia and southern India, the mood there is serene, the people welcoming, and the landscapes of an almost unearthly beauty.
Although this adventure was initially an opportunity for me to get to grips with the situation, in practice I was able to travel there with my two adolescent sons (15 and 17 years old). The range of activities on offer, the short travel times and the accessibility of family-friendly accommodation made this an exceptionally good trip.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
A real bonus for this destination, which is on the Equator, is that it is a good place to go almost all year round ! Like all countries with mountain peaks, each region has its own climate.
Share your plans with us and we will give you the best guidance. Remember, in any case, that the average yearly temperatures in the country fluctuate between 26C° and 28C°.
Direct flights from Paris, and flights with one stop from Nice, Brussels or Milan.
.
