Prikrylova

Hi friends, we are 6 adults and 2 children, have been planning a holiday trip to Srilanka on 16 March. 2014 for 13 nights. We have booked our accommodation via agoda but we still searching a better beach property in Bentota for last 05 nights. Can someone recommend a good driver (family friendly) speaking English or Czech?
Regards,
Dominika Přikrylová

Kathie

You will want to contact an agency to book a driver and mini-van big enough for all of you.

JimWh

We had guy for four days and he was the best of the all the many drivers we got - knew the country well including the back roads! He spoke great English too, even slang and the kids loved him....

You can get him on: [email protected]

Kathie

I would not hire an independent driver rather than one through an agency. If you hire a driver through an agency, you have back-up should the car break down or the car or driver not be to your satisfaction. Also, in this case, a large van is needed for 6 adults and 2 children.

annhig

Also, in this case, a large van is needed for 6 adults and 2 children.>>

and your luggage.

we had a big van that took a lot of people [in fact there were only two of us so we rattled around] but there was little room for luggage - we didn't have a lot but there wasn't much room left after our two big suitcases and our driver's small suitcase went in the back.

Prikrylova

Thanks to Kathie, Ann and Jim. We already had a fabulous holiday trip in Srilanka. The tour was organized by different discovery. The connection was coming through one of my friends who traveled with them in 2009. I will comment on our trip as soon as possible.
Thanks again for all your advices and kindness.
DP

Kathie

I look forward to reading about your trip.

annhig

so pleased your holiday went well, Prikrylova.

I look forward to reading about it.

Prikrylova

Hi all of you! sorry, it took more than I expected. Now I'm revealing our trip in Sri Lanka.

We landed in Colombo on 16 March 2014. Our first night was in Sunset Beach Hotel-Negombo. Good, right on the beach but budget hotel recommended by our friend in Different Discovery. Rooms were bit used but clean and cozy for a family like us. Food was excellent. However, Negombo is a fishing and touristic city; good to have a trustworthy friend, local guide or a driver who knows the local neighborhood.
We did not do much in Negombo as we wanted to relax. Our driver Nalinda suggested us a city tour; we see the local market, fish market, old fort, a nice Buddha temple and famous St. Mary’s church.

Nalinda took us after breakfast; we left the hotel by 9.30am on the second day. We reach Sigiriya in 04 hours but we stopped for water and fruits in the middle of the journey. Different Discovery - our travel company served us drinking water and fresh fruits on daily basis. Our driver - Nalinda bought us water and fruits; it was an excellent service and more value for money we paid.

Sigiriya; we stayed two nights in a small guest house namely Melrose Villas. More suitable for budget travelers or backpackers but we value their hospitality and service rendered as a family. Rooms were basic but clean. Food was fantastic and of course better than Sunset Beach Hotel.

We did the rock fortress in the afternoon as we wanted to relax after the drive. However, my kids enjoyed a village trek with Nalinda. It was 25$ per child; they had offered a nice trek and cart ride including some snacks to enjoy. After the climb we took a ayrvedic treatment; good but need to be more professional.

Next day morning we went to Pollonnaruwa kingdom. It was good to see the ruins of the second kingdom of Ceylon. You will be directed to wood carving workshop; items are nice but expensive. We had our lunch at a small village restaurant namely The Village. We had some fifteen different curries to try with Sri Lankan rice. Amazing we paid only 07$ per lunch.

We did a safari in Minneriya national park. All of us fitted in a 4WD jeep with a driver and tracker. Our driver was also joined us with some snacks and king coconut to drink during the safari. This park is more for elephants than the other animals. It was only 25$ per person as we all went in one jeep.

Next day morning after breakfast we leave to Kandy via famous Spice Roads. There are many so called spice gardens but Nalinda suggested us one good place called Ishivara. We spent almost two hours in the garden and bought few spices just to make them happy. However, the demonstration on old cooking styles, coconut oil making, and traditional candy making were so fascinating.

I forgot to tell about “Alu Viharaya” Ancient Temple and the “Nalanda Gedige”. Both places are must see things as per our opinion. Sri Lanka is a rich country with an old heritage and culture.

Kandy is the citadel of kingdoms. Climate is much soft and calm where you will feel a bit of summer in our motherlands. We stayed two nights in Kandy Hill House. We book this online but we noted we could get a better price if we book through Different Discovery. They offered us some fruits free of charge just to compensate on the rates. Rooms are better than all we had but the swimming pool is too small for 08 people together.
Food and service was not that fantastic; they took ages to serve two roasted chickens. However, this is the only hotel we noted that they sell drinking water at marked price.
I will update the rest later. I’m bit board on typing too much English.

annhig

I’m bit board on typing too much English.>>

shame because I was enjoying the "ride" with you.

a different take on many trips described here but just as interesting.

please keep it coming when you can summon up the energy.