Beginning to plan for Sri Lanka and S. India trip in early 2019
Mar 5th, 2018, 07:19 AM
#21
I haven't been in the Galle Face (or any hotel other than the small hostel we did stay at) but it would hard to pass on a swim after a few hours of Galle's heat and humidity!>>
CC - just for clarification, the Galle Face is in Colombo.
CC - just for clarification, the Galle Face is in Colombo.
Mar 6th, 2018, 02:30 AM
#23
Original Poster
I've been wondering about Galle - some of you have loved your visit there, some of you found it overly touristy or not that interesting. I'm definitely stopping there but is one night enough? Perhaps put the other night toward a 2-night stay at the beach. We love cities/architecture and Galle has an interesting history with its colonial past. I'm not keen on luxe shopping, and it looks like the city has become a mecca for the high end: Free travel guide to Galle, Sri_Lanka | CN Traveller
I'm also beginning to notice in some of the photos just what annhig was distressed by in her experience of a safari -- this is from a photo on TripAdvisor at Udawalawe National Park:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...7&ff=300361560
I've also seen others similar to this in which there are many jeeps. This is definitely not something I want to do.
So again, lots of room for thinking about it; one other option would be to go to the beach (Tangalle) after Ella for 2 nights; then go to Galle Fort for a night, ending in Colombo for a night. I know that I've said I want to minimize 1-night stays, but perhaps that might make more sense.
I'm also beginning to notice in some of the photos just what annhig was distressed by in her experience of a safari -- this is from a photo on TripAdvisor at Udawalawe National Park:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...7&ff=300361560
I've also seen others similar to this in which there are many jeeps. This is definitely not something I want to do.
So again, lots of room for thinking about it; one other option would be to go to the beach (Tangalle) after Ella for 2 nights; then go to Galle Fort for a night, ending in Colombo for a night. I know that I've said I want to minimize 1-night stays, but perhaps that might make more sense.
Mar 7th, 2018, 06:32 AM
#24
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Hi Progol. I didn't find Galle very touristy and think it is worth a one night stay. We enjoyed walking around the fort and popping into some of the churches and various other buildings. The Dutch architecture isn't the most exciting, but I am glad we spent a day there. As far as shopping, I definitely would not consider it high end - there are some cute boutiques with a range of prices and interesting items that we didn't see elsewhere in Sri Lanka. As a matter of fact, it is the only place where we popped into some stores. Of course you mention Colombo and since I wasn't there I can't compare any shopping experience. I love the idea of 2 nights on the beach.
Mar 7th, 2018, 07:41 AM
#25
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Hi progol.
We spent a month in SL partly on a tour and partly independently. It was in 2011 I think so I am not sure how relevant my comments may be as things appear to be changing fast in SL.
The drive from Ella to Galle would be a very long one and I think it would be good to break it up with at least a night by the beach. we had planned to stay at Tangalle but didn’t like it much so changed plans and moved on to nearby Goyambokka and really liked the beach there (as long as you don’t mind sharing with a few cows wandering around!). Another place we like with a very pretty beach was Mirrisa. Weligama also had nice beach but the town sewer emptied directly on to it. we skipped the beach but there were some great places to eat in the town and some interesting walks & temples in the area as I recall.
We enjoyed our time in Galle. some terrific restaurants and really nice Boutique type hotels. We lucked out as our place had over booked and they moved us to a fantastic villa. but the hotel we were due to stay at was very nice. A pleasant place to hang out for a day or two.
Colombo was ok but I can’t say we enjoyed it that much. Galle Face Green and the eponymous hotel were very pleasant in the evening for a sundowner. However, even though I am an avid proponent of street food, even I balked at eating at the many stalls there. teh hygiene standards were appalling! If you do go there then a visit to The Pettah, the huge and manic market is a must (if you like markets that is).
Whatever you do, incorporate a train ride into your itinerary.
We spent a month in SL partly on a tour and partly independently. It was in 2011 I think so I am not sure how relevant my comments may be as things appear to be changing fast in SL.
The drive from Ella to Galle would be a very long one and I think it would be good to break it up with at least a night by the beach. we had planned to stay at Tangalle but didn’t like it much so changed plans and moved on to nearby Goyambokka and really liked the beach there (as long as you don’t mind sharing with a few cows wandering around!). Another place we like with a very pretty beach was Mirrisa. Weligama also had nice beach but the town sewer emptied directly on to it. we skipped the beach but there were some great places to eat in the town and some interesting walks & temples in the area as I recall.
We enjoyed our time in Galle. some terrific restaurants and really nice Boutique type hotels. We lucked out as our place had over booked and they moved us to a fantastic villa. but the hotel we were due to stay at was very nice. A pleasant place to hang out for a day or two.
Colombo was ok but I can’t say we enjoyed it that much. Galle Face Green and the eponymous hotel were very pleasant in the evening for a sundowner. However, even though I am an avid proponent of street food, even I balked at eating at the many stalls there. teh hygiene standards were appalling! If you do go there then a visit to The Pettah, the huge and manic market is a must (if you like markets that is).
Whatever you do, incorporate a train ride into your itinerary.
Mar 7th, 2018, 12:18 PM
#26
Original Poster
Thanks, donnahelene and crellston! I'm still playing with the itinerary (and definitely have plenty of planning time) but I do like the idea of the beach as well. Thanks, crellston, on your impressions of the different beaches; I know people have said that Mirissa is a lovely beach, so that will be on the list! I do want to include some time on the beach - I think it will be a nice way of winding down.
As the trip gets closer, I'll refine the allocation of days, but from what you've said, Galle Fort would be fine for one night, especially since we'd probably be coming from the beach, which would be a relatively easy trip.
I don't feel compelled to visit Colombo (though the Pettah sounds great), but don't know how I feel about a longer drive the day that we fly out of SL.
Well, planning a trip is fun! And the closer I get to this, the closer my retirement comes!
As the trip gets closer, I'll refine the allocation of days, but from what you've said, Galle Fort would be fine for one night, especially since we'd probably be coming from the beach, which would be a relatively easy trip.
I don't feel compelled to visit Colombo (though the Pettah sounds great), but don't know how I feel about a longer drive the day that we fly out of SL.
Well, planning a trip is fun! And the closer I get to this, the closer my retirement comes!
Mar 10th, 2018, 05:54 AM
#27
progol - I'm glad that you read my comments about the "safaris" that we went on; the chasing of animals was the very opposite of what we wanted to do and you too I'm sure. After our experience I think that if you want to see wildlife in Sri Lanka it's better to go with a specialised group that can hire the right guides to take them to places where the animals are not going to disturbed.
the way we dealt with the beach was to stay in Galle [so we could wander around in the evening and enjoy the atmosphere, see the shops, etc] and get a tuk tuk to our hotel's sister hotel which was on the beach. That worked very well for us. My recollection is that we only had 2 nights there but we packed a lot in - walking round the Fort, the Naval museum, seeing the town, taking a tuk tuk to the beach and back, shopping - Bill even went swimming with the locals by the fort wall; not sure how we found the time to do all that in little more than a day. So I would definitely want 2 nights there - which really only gives you 1 whole day, even if it means a long drive from Ella. For me, a long drive followed by 2 nights in one place is more restful than short drives and moving on every day, but of course everyone is different.
I would definitely want to be in Colombo the night before my departure and the Galle Face would be great for one night.
the way we dealt with the beach was to stay in Galle [so we could wander around in the evening and enjoy the atmosphere, see the shops, etc] and get a tuk tuk to our hotel's sister hotel which was on the beach. That worked very well for us. My recollection is that we only had 2 nights there but we packed a lot in - walking round the Fort, the Naval museum, seeing the town, taking a tuk tuk to the beach and back, shopping - Bill even went swimming with the locals by the fort wall; not sure how we found the time to do all that in little more than a day. So I would definitely want 2 nights there - which really only gives you 1 whole day, even if it means a long drive from Ella. For me, a long drive followed by 2 nights in one place is more restful than short drives and moving on every day, but of course everyone is different.
I would definitely want to be in Colombo the night before my departure and the Galle Face would be great for one night.
Mar 10th, 2018, 06:12 AM
#28
I didn't find Galle all that touristy. There's a good portion of the town that's outside the walls as well as away from the beach, but it's pretty modern and I suspect not a place many visitors spend time in. We did, but only because there was a holiday and the streets were packed and it seemed like something worth wading into. The fort is where most people hang out and it IS composed of quite a few hotels and shops and restaurants, but IMO it's not overbearing about the tourism aspect. I think one could walk around and see it all in a day, but I don't tend to linger in shops or anything. Walking the walls in the evening is nice, when people are out getting up a game of soccer or walking and getting the breeze as well.
Personally, (and I'll admit I'm not a "beach person" anyway), but the views of the beaches between Matara and Galle didn't wow me. Not your big, wide tropical beach or cozy little hidden cove beaches as you drive along. But I'm sure there must be a few. We stayed in a little place called Talalla that was nice. Bit hidden out on a point, where the highway cut away from the ocean for a bit. Just one (very funky) hotel and some small private villas with a path going down the half-circle beach and a bunch of small fishing boats there. Odd hotel, room exterior walls just sort of folding louvered panels and the showers were outside, but hidden by walls. Had a nice pool though and a pavilion serving food.
Our safari at Udewalawe was the three of us in a largish jeep with a driver and a english speaking guide in front, arranged by the Udewalawe Lodge we stayed at. We did see some animals - not a lot, but some - but never chased them. They stayed to the designated roads and if something was visible, they'd stop. Mostly elephants, buffalo and some bird life.
Personally, (and I'll admit I'm not a "beach person" anyway), but the views of the beaches between Matara and Galle didn't wow me. Not your big, wide tropical beach or cozy little hidden cove beaches as you drive along. But I'm sure there must be a few. We stayed in a little place called Talalla that was nice. Bit hidden out on a point, where the highway cut away from the ocean for a bit. Just one (very funky) hotel and some small private villas with a path going down the half-circle beach and a bunch of small fishing boats there. Odd hotel, room exterior walls just sort of folding louvered panels and the showers were outside, but hidden by walls. Had a nice pool though and a pavilion serving food.
Our safari at Udewalawe was the three of us in a largish jeep with a driver and a english speaking guide in front, arranged by the Udewalawe Lodge we stayed at. We did see some animals - not a lot, but some - but never chased them. They stayed to the designated roads and if something was visible, they'd stop. Mostly elephants, buffalo and some bird life.
Last edited by CounterClifton; Mar 10th, 2018 at 06:17 AM.
Mar 10th, 2018, 09:01 AM
#30
<<Personally, (and I'll admit I'm not a "beach person" anyway), but the views of the beaches between Matara and Galle didn't wow me. Not your big, wide tropical beach or cozy little hidden cove beaches as you drive along. But I'm sure there must be a few. We stayed in a little place called Talalla that was nice.>>
CC - I'm not sure but that may have been part of the area affected by the Tsunami which as well as killing about 30,000 people washed away a lot of the beaches in the affected areas. Your safari at Udewalawe was much much better than our first experience which involved every jeep in the area chasing whatever the guides thought might be interesting. At one point we got between an elephant herd and the water they wanted to get to which seemed to me to be positively dangerous. When we got to Yala we specifically asked that they didn't do that so we were able to enjoy the wildlife hopefully without causing too much disturbance but of course all the other jeeps were chasing round madly every time something moved.
CC - I'm not sure but that may have been part of the area affected by the Tsunami which as well as killing about 30,000 people washed away a lot of the beaches in the affected areas. Your safari at Udewalawe was much much better than our first experience which involved every jeep in the area chasing whatever the guides thought might be interesting. At one point we got between an elephant herd and the water they wanted to get to which seemed to me to be positively dangerous. When we got to Yala we specifically asked that they didn't do that so we were able to enjoy the wildlife hopefully without causing too much disturbance but of course all the other jeeps were chasing round madly every time something moved.
Mar 11th, 2018, 04:15 AM
#31
Original Poster
Hi, CC and annhig,
I’m enjoying your discussion and finding it helpful. I’m not really a beach person, either, although appreciate having a relaxing place to spend part of a day. Still playing this out. As I’m planning this as part of a trip with S. India, I’m trying to be mindful of managing our stops so we’re not on the go constantly. While both these places lend themselves to the “road trip” style of traveling, I also am trying to linger where we can.
This discussion is really helping me to decide my priorities and to figure out the questions when I begin to contact some of the travel agents.
I’m enjoying your discussion and finding it helpful. I’m not really a beach person, either, although appreciate having a relaxing place to spend part of a day. Still playing this out. As I’m planning this as part of a trip with S. India, I’m trying to be mindful of managing our stops so we’re not on the go constantly. While both these places lend themselves to the “road trip” style of traveling, I also am trying to linger where we can.
This discussion is really helping me to decide my priorities and to figure out the questions when I begin to contact some of the travel agents.
Mar 21st, 2018, 09:18 AM
#32
i don't want to upset bhushpatel but we had a wonderful time without staying at Bentota which I understand is mainly a beach resort.
As for Kandy we stayed in a hotel up on one of the hills that surround it; if you didn't have a driver it might be a bit of a pain being up there but your diriver will be on hand to help out with the transport.
We didn't stay in NE itself but in an old colonial lodge in a tea plantation. Though lovely it was a little remote and staying in or nearer the town might have been better.
As for Kandy we stayed in a hotel up on one of the hills that surround it; if you didn't have a driver it might be a bit of a pain being up there but your diriver will be on hand to help out with the transport.
We didn't stay in NE itself but in an old colonial lodge in a tea plantation. Though lovely it was a little remote and staying in or nearer the town might have been better.
Mar 21st, 2018, 09:37 AM
#33
Original Poster
Hi, annhig,
Thanks for commenting - I am staying in Kandy, and taking a page from your suggestions, I've now increased it to 2 days. I'm not planning on going to Bentota , either, and though not staying in NE, we will be passing through. We'll be going on to Ella after Kandy, so am very happy with the plan so far!
Thanks for commenting - I am staying in Kandy, and taking a page from your suggestions, I've now increased it to 2 days. I'm not planning on going to Bentota , either, and though not staying in NE, we will be passing through. We'll be going on to Ella after Kandy, so am very happy with the plan so far!
Mar 22nd, 2018, 03:23 AM
#36
Original Poster
Thanks wiki, for your advice. Yes, we know it will be hot. We are going to S. India in January so hope we'll have it not AS hot as it might be otherwise. But we want to visit S. India this trip!!
Mar 23rd, 2018, 02:29 AM
#38
Original Poster
