First solo trip. Sri Lanka

They were going to Sri Lanka for a long time, but other, more profitable vacation options were obtained. Finally, in 2013 we decided - let's go! The price tag, which was announced to us in our favorite travel agency, did not please us, we were counting on other prices. I was also not satisfied with the number of days of rest on the coast (only 3 days, not including the excursion) and the coast (the eastern part of the island is a large wave and, accordingly, it is not always possible to enter the ocean).
In the end, we decided to go on our own - savages. )
Tickets were purchased on the Emirates website. A lot of reviews have been written about this airline, I will not repeat myself, but the conclusion is clear - all Russian air carriers are cattle trucks !! ! )))
At the airport, as agreed, we were met by a guide - Kritri (Kirill)! The tour included Ritigala (lost city) - Sigiriya - Dambulla - Kandy - Ramboda Waterfall (the hotel room is just awesome - overlooking the waterfall) - Nuwara Eliya (tea plantations) - Yalla National Park! I liked everything very much - both the guide and the experienced driver! They were with them for 4 days.
On the fifth day we were taken to the southern coast of the island - Unawatuna! It is great! The beach is beautiful, right behind the sunbeds, cafes, they don’t take money for sunbeds! The ocean is warm and calm! We advise you to take a tuk-tuk to Jungle Beach (400 rupees round trip). Relax complete! (there is a toilet, a restaurant, a shower - though conditional - from rainwater)
We went to Halle by public transport for 10 minutes. It costs only 20 rubles for two round trip! The fort built by the Dutch is worth seeing! And to the shops, if necessary, it is better to go there. There is also a fish market. We bought seafood there, cooked it at the hotel (cooking fee is 250-00 rubles), the cost of seafood is cheap)).
I want to say a separate word about the hotel. If you are going to Unawatuna - relax in the Flower Garden. The fact that it is not on the ocean coast is only a plus. Hotels and guesthouses with ocean access are very noisy! Wonderful hotel, quiet, green, unobtrusive staff. We had a balcony overlooking the jungle - no one around.
On the way back, we chose a docking at 11 o'clock to visit Dubai. We took a ride on the subway, which is a local exotic without a driver! Burj Khalifa is impressive! We swam in the Persian Gulf. Since then, we absolutely do not understand those people who go to rest in the UAE. The desert around and the water is cold. We shed tears, remembering Sri Lanka!!
Conclusions ) If possible, we will not rest through the agency! By ourselves and cheaper and more mobile! !
This is what I understand the preparation, the result is SUPER. I really liked the report. Great photos! Thanks for the visual tour of Malta. My husband was lucky to visit there, but in those days there was a problem with the camera.
Вот это я понимаю подготовка, результат - СУПЕР. Очень понравился отчёт . Прекрасные фото! Спасибо за визуальный экскурс на Мальту. Мужу повезло там побывать, но в те времена с фотоаппаратом был трабл.
You described your trip in such a way that I immediately wanted to grab my suitcase and rush to Malta :)
Вы так описали свою поездку, что мне немедленно захотелось схватить чемодан и рвануть на Мальту :)
Already packing my bags!
Уже собираю чемоданы!
Cool story. It seems that everything is suitable for trips with a large (drinking, cheerful, inquisitive) campaign. But the problem is that several children were born and it is not clear what to do with them. You have to carry it with you. So - how is it with the beaches and all sorts of children's entertainment. If you remember anything, please write.
Классный рассказ. Вроде все подходит для поездок большой (пьющей, веселой, любознательной) кампанией. Но проблема в том, что народилось несколько детей и куда девать их - непонятно. Приходится тащить с собой. Так вот - как там с пляжами и всякими детскими развлечениями. Если что вспомнишь - напиши пожалуйста.
Not with beaches. As for entertainment, I don’t know, I wasn’t specifically interested, but by chance I didn’t come across anything like that. Malta is not for a beach holiday! take your kids to other countries! Or to grandparents, and he, with his wife and friends, rush to Malta. There is an excursion - you will swing! For a week of intense program! And then, at a fast pace! )))
С пляжами никак. Насчет развлечений - не знаю, специально не интересовалась, а случайно на глаза ничего такого не попадалось. Мальта не для пляжного отдыха! вези детей в другие страны! Или к бабушкам-дедушкам, а сам с женой и друзьями рвани на Мальту. Там экскурсионка - закачаешься! На неделю насыщенной программы! И то, в быстром темпе! )))