Welcome back to Sri Lanka! /

After having to postpone our trip several times, the time has finally come this past November. Travel back to Sri Lanka! A journey I have looked forward to for ages. It’s been more than five years since I was last there and I’m very curious to see how things stand after all the problems of the past few years.

Flora and fauna

The country is still pretty empty in terms of tourists in November. This has its advantages, such as in national parks, where you sometimes have the feeling that you are the only visitor. I visit the lesser-known Wilpattu and the usually very busy Yala National Park. Up close I see a bear and in both parks I spot a leopard several times. The fact that the large crowds are absent is a nice bonus during the game drives. I only see a few other vehicles and often we are the only ones to see a particular animal, which gives me an extra privileged feeling. Elephants also show up, although they are difficult to see due to the heavy rainfall. Migratory birds have also arrived in Sri Lanka in large numbers. Sri Lanka is and has always been a great destination for nature lovers with a large number of national parks and a great diversity of flora and fauna.

Spiritual Anuradhapura

I experience the spirituality of the country during a visit to Anuradhapura, the place of the sacred bodhi tree. I’m here on weekends, as are large groups of families, entire villages with buses, everyone dressed in white. On the tables are offerings of brightly colored flowers, food, colored slippers and monk’s robes. The people find togetherness and strength in religion, and that is obvious in such a place. It makes me feel very special.

From Hatton to Haputale

Last time it was not possible to travel by train; now I travel the route from Hatton to Haputale. Beautiful landscapes pass me by. I see tea plantations, waterfalls and picturesque villages. At altitude it seems as if we are driving through the clouds. What an experience! And the fact that the train doors remain open during the ride makes it even more exciting!

The production of tea

The visit to a tea-picking village was special. There have been no tourists here for years and my presence is announced from afar by small children. Some of them see foreigners for the first time in their lives. The school-going children love to practice their English. And as it turns out, they also know the footballer Ronaldo here, although they themselves are more fond of cricket, which is played here until the evening hours. During a visit to a tea factory, I experience that tasting tea is actually the same as tasting wine. I had never realized before that the production of tea is a 24 hour process. Deep respect for the women who have to pick 20 kilos of tea leaves a day and do so in all weather conditions and, as now, often with leeches between their toes due to the wet weather.

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Galle Fort, the Temple of the Tooth and Tangalle

And how beautiful are Galle Fort and the Temple of the Tooth. Not to mention the beautiful beaches and swaying palm trees in Tangalle. After all, the beach is never far away in Sri Lanka with such a long coastline. And again, no crowds of travelers yet.

Hotels, lodges and tea bungalows

Then the great boutique hotels the country abounds in. You can find them in all shapes and sizes. The special safari camps with their personal service and perfect nature guides and the luxurious top hotels, lodges and tea bungalows where comfort and personal service are paramount and where you lack nothing during the trip. There is a suitable accommodation for every party in Sri Lanka.

Welcome back!

During the journey it becomes abundantly clear that the country and the people miss the travelers. Travelers who go on holiday here enjoy the diversity of Sri Lanka, the beautiful nature, interesting culture and history and of course the delicious food and beaches. I enjoy all those parts that make a visit to this country so special. Before the trip I had asked myself this question: Is Sri Lanka ready to receive travelers again? I can answer that with a resounding yes. You can travel to this fine holiday destination with peace of mind. Welcome back to Sri Lanka!

Jozef Verbruggen is director and owner of Untamed Travelling. Untamed Traveling is a travel designer specializing in high-quality, customized travel experiences around the world.

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