An Exceptional Adventure in Sri Lanka
An agricultural journey like no other
- 04th March 2019
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We have just returned from a spectacular journey to Sri Lanka with a group of eight, wonderful guests. The journey took us from Colombo up to the plains of Anuradhapura; by train through rolling hills draped in tea plantations and finally to the golden sands that fringe the emerald water of the Indian Ocean
With agriculture at the heart of the experience, we had the opportunity to meet local farmers responsible for much of Sri Lanka’s export of tea, rice, coconuts and cinnamon. We met some extraordinary people along the way and everywhere we went we were greeted with a genuine warmth that made us feel welcome from start to finish.
No two locations were the same and we were stunned by the contrast of landscape that this relatively small island has to offer. We were able to get off the beaten path alongside our expert guide and to learn from his unbounded knowledge of Sri Lanka.
Meals were enjoyed outside in the dappled shade with views that you couldn’t imagine possible without coming here (and the food is utterly delicious!). It was a pleasure to be reminded of what fresh fruit and vegetables taste like when they have been given time to grow in the sunshine then picked from local gardens and placed directly on your plate.
We visited a fascinating variety of temples and heritage sites; some UNESCO protected and other local temples where few tourists ever set foot.
The whole experience was embellished by incredible bird life. Our morning strolls were always serenaded by the wonderful sound of birds of all shapes and sizes chattering in the canopy above. A visit to the Udawalawe National Park brought its own unforgettable meetings with elephants, fish eagles and water buffalo.
Our final days in Sri Lanka were spent near the stunning town of Galle, where we enjoyed long walks on almost empty beaches and a private beach-side BBQ watching the sun set over the ocean.
We want to thank everyone who made the experience so enjoyable. In particular, our eight guests, who dived into the journey with such humour and enthusiasm.
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