My next trip (1-month itinerary) is to Sri Lanka (and possibly the Maldives). I’m leaving on Saturday, June 20th, and am definitely excited about it since it’ll be my first time there. It looks like an incredibly fascinating country with so much to offer…I have a feeling I’m going to love it!

Why Sri Lanka?

Why not?

I’ve always been curious about Sri Lanka and drawn to it for some reason. I think it’s because I’ve never been to a country quite like it.

Some might ask–why not India?

Well, India, so massive and exotic, looks fascinating–but it feels overwhelming to me at this time (that could change in the future). Sri Lanka, on the other hand, seems handleable to me. I know they’re not the same (different cultures, religions, etc.), but there’s just enough influence from India to make it intriguing while it’s its own country, of course.

Rough Itinerary

Here’s what I’m considering checking out/doing (all subject to change, of course; see Considerations section below):

• Negombo (reviews on this town are mixed, but for me, it’s a good place to begin since it will be an easier transition than Colombo when I first arrive and am exhausted)
• Hill/Tea Country

• Kandy/Cultural Triangle
• Sigiriya
• National park (not sure which one yet; depends on weather; would love to see elephants and especially leopards–the reason is that I saw many elephants in South Africa, but not one leopard)

• Jaffna and the North (yes, it’s edgy and will mean passing through military checkpoints, but it does intrigue me)
• Homestay with a family or two

• Beaches (Tangalla and Uppuveli and maybe Kalpitya (for kite surfing)
• Train from Galle to Colombo
• Yummy food along the way

Considerations/Decisions

Monsoon Season/Rain

As usual, I’m not planning too much in advance—other than my first two nights (in Negombo). The rest, I’ll figure out when I’m there. One reason is the weather and that fact that it’s monsoon season.

How rainy will it be? I’m not sure and will have to play it by ear.

This map doesn’t show the southwest monsoon, which is hitting right about now, but it shows the so-called wet zone. I believe it’s the southwest coast mostly that gets hit by the monsoon.

I’ve read and people (including Sri Lankans) have told me that a lot of the rain usually comes intermittently (afternoon shower or a lot at night), but at times, it could rain hard for a day or two. I’ve experienced rain like that (the former) and don’t mind it because in a way, it seems convenient. Keeping fingers crossed that it’s not too bad.☺

If it is, of course, there are many options–such as focusing more on the drier North and East–and maybe flying round trip to the Maldives…

To Visit the Maldives or Not?

Originally, I was sure I wanted to visit the Maldives. The photos simply blew me away. I’m a sucker for turquoise water and white sand and there, it’s exactly that. Pretty damn dreamy…

Ramadan

I soon realized that my time there would coincide with Ramadan. That, still, wasn’t deterring me. I spent time on an Indonesian beach (Gili Meno) during Ramadan and it was no big deal. In fact, the family I stayed with (who had a couple of bungalows) invited me to share dinner with them in the evening. It was a great experience.

Sharia Law?

But then, I learned that the Maldives operates under Sharia Law. I have many Muslim friends and have spent a lot of time in Muslim countries and have truly enjoyed those experiences. I even spent 3 weeks in a devout Muslim village in Indonesia and had a wonderful experience there.

Having said this, none of these destinations were under Sharia Law.

So I’m not sure. Ramadan and Sharia Law at the same time seems like a lot. I know all about the ‘beach attire’ on the inhabited islands—ie, that one must be covered up and not in a bikini. I’m OK with that and I know that it’s like that in Sri Lanka, too, to some extent. I just don’t know if I want to have to go to a tourist island just so I can swim freely in a regular bathing suit.

One Option

I suppose the thing to do, if I go, is to stay at a guesthouse (on an inhabited island) that has a private beach. I know it probably wouldn’t be as good as the resort beaches, but maybe it would be good enough. Then, at some point, I could splurge and spend two days at the resort beaches for a proper swim.

Your Thoughts/Tips/Advice?

Sri Lanka

Have you been to Sri Lanka? If so, what sort of advice/tips can you offer me? Anything I should not miss? Anything I should skip? If you haven’t been there but would like to go, what would be on your itinerary?

Rainy Season

Did you travel there during rainy season? If so, how was the weather? Did you have to alter your plans?

Beaches

And what the beaches? Was there one you loved, which had calm enough water to swim in?

Mosquito Repellant? 

What do you recommend? 100% Deet? Or less?

Maldives

What about the Maldives? Would you travel there during Ramadan? If not, did you find any beaches in Sri Lanka that were gorgeous enough to make you not regret missing the Maldives?

Photo Credits
Sri Lanka map: Wikipedia Commons; Leopard: Amila Tennakoon via Flickr; Golden Buddha: McKay Savage via Flickr/Creative Commons