🏝️ My Sri Lanka Adventure: Scooters, Sunsets & Coastal Wandering
🛬 18 dec 2024 – 30 dec 2024 🛫
When you look at the map, Sri Lanka might seem like a neighbor of India—but once you’re on the ground, you quickly realize it has a completely different vibe. This beautiful island nation, floating just south of India, offers a mix of wild nature, calm coastlines, and a slower-paced life that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
🇱🇰 Landing in Colombo
I touched down in Colombo, the capital, around midnight. Tired but excited, I settled into a spot in Colombo Fort for a couple of days. As luck would have it, I arrived during a Buddhist national holiday. I took the chance to explore a few temples, snap some videos, and soak in the culture—but honestly, the energy in the city was a bit too slow for me.
🚂 Train to the South – A Local Ride
The next morning, I caught a train headed south. I grabbed an economy class ticket, which meant sharing space with both locals and tourists. The train was under maintenance, so it was packed—way beyond the number of available seats. I ended up standing the whole ride, holding onto rails while the wind from the open windows rushed in. Not comfortable, but a memorable experience.
🌊 Hikkaduwa – Waves and Freedom
My first real stop was Hikkaduwa, where I stayed for a couple of nights. The beach was amazing—perfect for swimming, though some of the waves were intense. As always when I’m on an island, I looked for my favorite mode of transport: a scooter. Got a good deal without bargaining—€50 for the whole week, and the bike was in great condition. Now I was free to roam.
🛵 Unawatuna – My Unexpected Favorite
Next stop: Unawatuna, just a few kilometers from Galle Fort. I only planned to stay a night… but ended up coming back later for four more days. There was something about the vibe—laid back, beautiful, not overly touristy—that just clicked for me.
🐳 Mirissa, Then Dikwella – Chasing Quiet
I passed through Mirissa for a couple of nights, but it was too crowded for my taste. Prices were up, the streets were busy, and it felt a bit too tourist-centric. So I rode further down the coast to Dikwella, where I met a group of fellow travelers. We clicked instantly and kept exploring the southern coastline together.
One highlight was Silent Beach in Tangalle—we swam during sunset and it felt like something out of a dream.
🍔 Life on the Road
Most of my days were spent swimming, eating street food, and riding my scooter through lush green roads and along the coast. Some people come to Sri Lanka for surfing or safaris, but I’ve done my fair share of wildlife spotting—especially during my trip to Africa near Kilimanjaro. So this trip was more about freedom, coastlines, and slow living.
🌅 Final Thoughts
Sri Lanka isn’t Bali, and that’s what makes it special. It’s not overrun with influencers or overly polished resorts. It’s raw, real, and absolutely stunning in its own way.
If you’re chasing a feeling of freedom from the real world, a place where time slows down, and you can just ride, swim, and breathe—Sri Lanka might be your place.
