Published: 27.11.2019
For my new visa stamp, I had to leave India after 180 days, so I decided to fly to Sri Lanka for a short trip from a week to the island.
After a short stay in Bangalore I reached the airport of Colombo at night after 45 minutes. There I immediately noticed the many military. Since the many terrorist attacks in April there is the highest security level.
After successful baggage handover, I was prepared for long waiting at the visa counter. However, as usual, everything was different and I was processed within five minutes and a new stamp landed in my passport. πͺπΎ
Fortunately, I did not have to pay any visa fees. Although I did not understand the reason, I just did not want to ask. '
Relieved, I got into the taxi, which brought me safely to my resort in the southwest of the island after 30 minutes to Negombo.
When I entered the resort property, I could hardly believe my eyes. The garden consisted of a hundred-meter-long clean pool, surrounded by fragrant white-yellow plumeria flowers and coconut palm trees. π₯₯πΌπ΄
Here, one can only feel comfortable.
When I entered my room, my euphoria increased even more. I found a huge XXL king-size bed and a spa-like outdoor bathroom, as well as fresh fruits and an eco-friendly room amenities, including toilet paper made of bamboo fibers, filtered bottled water, and ecological soaps
In the morning, I was spoiled with an extensive and rich buffet, where I enjoyed a typical Sri Lankan breakfast consisting of green tea from the island's own plantations, chutneys, flatbread with coconut, milk rice-like desserts, and fresh fruits.
On the first day, I was very lucky, because despite the southwest monsoon, I was able to enjoy many hours of sunshine. βοΈ
I used this opportunity to tan by the pool and then refresh myself in the cool water. ππ§πΏβοΈ.
I enjoyed splashing around in the pool very much, as swimming in the sea at that time would have been too risky due to the strong undercurrent. But of course, I did not want to miss out on the fun of swimming and spent the first day almost exclusively at the pool.
The resort's own spa area was right next to the pool area - I couldn't resist getting a massage in the traditional Ayurvedic way.
During the treatment, I felt like I was in heaven, I was so relaxed. π΄Despite the hot massage oil on my skin, my body was able to truly relax.
The next day, I took a trip to the nearby harbor and fish market in Negombo. Apart from the strong smell of fish, I found the local impressions very interesting.
Afterwards, I visited St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, which was bombed by the IS on Easter, to commemorate the victims.
When I entered the church, I could not believe that just a few months earlier it had been severely damaged and the scene of a tragic massacre. The extensive roof damage had been completely repaired, and the interior of the church had been fully renovated. Only an original statue of Jesus stained with blood and a piece of the original church wall covered in glass were reminders of the terrible event. . .π₯
Over the next few days, I went on trips to the very popular Brown's Beach and also to Galle in the south of the island. There, unfortunately, in heavy rain, I visited the historic fort, which also features a beautiful lighthouse. The place is truly picturesque. It was a shame that I couldn't visit it in better weather.
Nevertheless, it was a great trip - on the way back, I made a stop at a moonstone mine and bought earrings and a stone ring as souvenirs. π
Finally, I indulged in delicious seafood and typical local beer to my heart's content. π¦π¦π¦πΊ
I am very impressed with this island, even though in my short time there, I could only get a small glimpse of Sri Lanka.
During the short week, I found so much time for myself and experienced many relaxing and precious moments.
I definitely want to return there at some point in my life to explore the beautiful nature of the island's interior areas.πΌ
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For my new visa stamp, I had to leave India after 180 days, so I decided to fly to Sri Lanka for a short trip of a week to the island.
After a short stay in Bangalore, I reached the airport in Colombo after just 45 minutes at night. There, the heavy military presence caught my immediate attention. Following the multiple terrorist attacks in April, the highest level of security measures are in place.
Expecting a long wait at the visa counter, I was surprised when I was processed and received a new stamp in just five minutes. πͺπΎ
Fortunately, I didn't have to pay any visa fees. I didn't understand the reason, but I didn't want to ask either. '
Feeling relieved, I got into a taxi which took me to my resort in Negombo, in the southwest of the island, in just 30 minutes.
As I entered the resort, I could hardly believe my eyes. The garden was filled with a 100-meter-long clean pool, surrounded by fragrant white and yellow plumeria flowers and coconut palm trees. π₯₯πΌπ΄
I felt instantly comfortable and at ease.
Upon entering my room, my excitement grew even more. I was welcomed by a huge XXL king-size bed and an open-air bathroom, reminiscent of a spa. Additionally, I was provided with fresh fruits and eco-friendly amenities, including toilet paper made of bamboo fibers, filtered bottled water, and ecological soaps. π
In the morning, I indulged in a lavish and diverse buffet where I had a typical Sri Lankan breakfast, consisting of tea from local plantations, chutneys, coconut flatbread, milk rice-like desserts, and fresh fruits. πππππ―π΅
On the first day, luck was on my side as I got to enjoy several hours of sunshine despite the southwest monsoon. βοΈ
I made the most of it by sunbathing by the pool, followed by a refreshing dip in the cool water. ππ§πΏββοΈ.
I thoroughly enjoyed splashing around in the pool as swimming in the sea during that time was too risky due to strong undercurrents. However, I didn't let that dampen my spirits and spent most of the first day at the pool. π
The resort had its own spa area right next to the pool, and I couldn't resist treating myself to a traditional Ayurvedic massage. ππΎββοΈπ§πΏββοΈπ§πΎββοΈ
During the session, I felt like I was in paradise - so deeply relaxed that the heat of the massage oil didn't bother me at all.
On the following day, I took a trip to the nearby harbor and fish market in Negombo. Despite the strong smell of fish, I found the local atmosphere and experiences to be quite fascinating.
Afterwards, I visited St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, which had been targeted by a bombing attack carried out by the IS on Easter Sunday, as a way to pay tribute to the victims.
Stepping inside the church, I couldn't believe that just a few months ago, it had suffered extensive damage and became the site of a tragic massacre. The massive roof damage had been fully repaired and the interior of the church had been completely renovated. Only a blood-stained statue of Jesus and a piece of shattered glass on the original church wall remained as reminders of the horrifying event. . .π₯
In the following days, I went on trips to the popular Brown's Beach and to Galle in the south of the island. Unfortunately, I encountered heavy rain while exploring the historical fort in Galle, which also houses a beautiful lighthouse. The place was truly picturesque, and it was a shame that I couldn't experience it under better weather conditions.
Nonetheless, it was an amazing trip. On my way back, I made a stop at a moonstone mine and bought earrings and a stone ring as souvenirs. π
To conclude my journey, I treated myself to delicious seafood and enjoyed local beer to the fullest. π¦π¦π¦πΊ
I am truly impressed by this island, even though my short stay allowed me only a glimpse of its beauty.
During this week, I found plenty of time for myself and had many relaxing and precious moments.π
I definitely want to visit again in the future to explore the stunning nature in the island's interior.πΌ