Category: Sri Lanka

Dining Experience in the Wild

[one_whole] Think five-star personal service, sharing delicious cuisine and imported wines amid gratifying views of national park, however, remove artificial structures of a regular resort and you have ‘glamping’ at the Big Game Camp. Situated on the boundary of nature reserves and the Udawalawe National Park, this establishment offers semi-permanent tented safari camps together with an expert naturalist guide, where viewing a Sri Lankan Elephant is guaranteed. Big Game Camp prides itself on being Eco and environmentally conscious which is…

When is the best season to surf in Sri Lanka?

SEE FULL ALBUM We always get asked, “When is the best surf in Sri Lanka?” A common misconception is that there is no surf on the south coast during the April to October months. Here at Talalla Surf Camp, we know the truth! We have perfect waves for beginners and intermediate surfers – + without the crowds ALL YEAR ROUND. How lucky are we! This week a big swell ran through the Indian Ocean and the Surf Coaches here at…

Monkey Magic

Dangling from the trees, or watching as you shower, toque macaques live only in Sri Lanka and wander wild through the jungle surrounding Talalla Retreat. Every year in the spring, babies emerge and cling to the belly of their monkey mama – the best type of shuttle, and with instant food! Naturally flexible, they are Sri Lanka’s tiny yogi’s – bending and jumping through the canopy. Seemingly flying, they’ve spent their whole lives searching the trees for the most delicious…

Royal Kandy

Resplendent in red and white costume that is centuries old, Kandyan dance is an important part of the culture of the ancient kingdom. Originally aligned to the Temple of the Tooth, the dance’s origins lie in an exorcism ritual originally performed by Indian Shamans. According to legend, the Indian shamans came to the island upon the request of a king who was suffering from a mysterious illness. The king was said to be suffering from a recurring dream in which…

Portuguese Passion

Like gems hidden in the mines of Ratnapura, Portuguese architecture is around every corner in Sri Lanka. It lays secret behind lush jungles, or shows off on a main street façade. Akin to traditional handmade lace, the ironwork drops and curls down from the roofs, the stalactites gripping on – barely fighting the humid climate. When Lorenzo De Almeida arrived to Sri Lanka in 1505 – sent off course after a storm at sea – the Portuguese influence immediately hit…

Dedication

The Rev. K. Upali watches with pleasure as his giant Buddha is built. In the background, the legs of the monument can be seen – each placed by hand, a labour of love. A lifetime achievement for the Rev, he has watched over this historic vihara (Buddhist temple) for decades and painstakingly planned the monument. Inside the smaller temple, frescoes date back hundreds of years – perhaps even to the Kandyan period. Narrowly missed by the tsunami, the colours are…

Fishy business

Walking or driving through the coastal regions of southern Sri Lanka – from Weligama to Talalla and Dickwella – a sudden pungent scent fills your unsuspecting nostrils. The culprit? Dried fish! A key ingredient in traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, dried fish are widely used to add flavor and salt to curry and sambol. These little guys pack a punch, and only a pinch is required to really turn up the flavor. The fish are air-dried under the scorching Sri Lankan…

Holy Cow

Who’s that in the middle of your roundabout? A lovingly cared-for cow, feasting on any remnant of grass she can find! Although a predominantly Buddhist country, cows are still given a certain reverence in Sri Lanka. They wander freely on median strips, through tea plantations or anywhere where a lawn mower is required. You might find one lazing on the freeway, strolling the town, or wandering through the village of Talalla. Either way, these gentle beasts provide the daily milk…

Stuff Your Galle Face (Green) Wandering down Galle Face Green at sundown is a typical Sri Lankan experience. As the sun sets, street vendors uncover their creations, painstakingly handmade in private homes by the lady of the house each morning. Rolling out gazebos, frypans, tables and chairs, the instant food court appears miraculously and the smell of frying spices fills the air. Hollering about these delicious tapas, crowds are drawn to stall after stall of deep fried baby crabs smooshed…

Five tips for the Ultimate Sri Lanka Surf Holiday

Surfing in Sri Lanka 5 Tips for the Ultimate Surf Trip in Sri Lanka from Sri Lanka’s Best & Longest-Running Surf Camp – Talalla Surf Camp   1. Avoid the crowds and still get great surf It is said that the best time for surfers to go to Sri Lanka is from April through to October. This is true in many ways. Ocean swells are consistent 4-7 feet and wind conditions are ideal. However, during this time, surfers from many…