Anthony & Deirdre
South Africa, September 2024
What did you like most about Sri Lanka?
Difference from South Africa, China, Vietnam etc.
Friendliness/service.
Food (apart from Fox Jaffna buffet).
Colour, vibrancy, exuberance.
What did you like least about Sri Lanka?
North… dry, arid… most exciting viewing is of horses!
Buses… general driving!
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Sri Lanka?
All excellent.
[Uga Residence, Colombo; Fox Jaffna, Jaffna; The Palmyrah House, Mannar; Uga Jungle Beach, Kuchchaveli; Lake Lodge Boutique Hotel, Dambulla; Ellerton, Kandy; Kahanda Kanda, Galle; Wallawwa, Kotugoda]
What is your opinion of your chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka?
Very pleasant man. Good safe driver. [Nihal]
As guide almost zero initiative, locked into itinerary unless virtually forced to adapt. [This is a surprise as other customers have found Nihal to be very flexible and to suggest various valuable additions to the itinerary. I will feedback your comments to him and Pathi.]
As far as initiative concerned as example stumped if asked to suggest “local” restaurants/street food seemed only to be able to recommend tourist restaurants. [I am afraid that guides are reticent about advising too local a restaurant unless they know it well due to concerns of hygiene and your enjoyment!]
Found it very difficult to advise places other than inevitable temples!
Little thought in preparation of car i.e. no water, tissues. [As indicated in the information sheets sent with your booking confirmation, we encourage all of our customers to bring their own reusable water bottles to reduce the amount of unnecessary single-use plastic in Sri Lanka, which is a serious environmental issue - a plentiful supply of drinking water should be available at all of your accommodation to refill your water bottles. However, our guides should always ensure that you have sufficient water in the car at all times, so apologies for the oversight. I will feedback your comments to Nihal and Pathi.]
When actually at temples, quite helpful to advise stupid clients to remember socks… I nearly burnt my feet off! [I am glad that Nihal was looking after your wellbeing at least!]
What is your opinion of your flights to and from Sri Lanka?
Don’t have much choice… functional Emirates. [Arranged their own flights]
Any other comments?
Appreciate having requested as much rail travel as possible (liked all our rail travel). [Anuradhapura to Jaffna; Kandy to Nanuoya; Kandy to Colombo; Colombo to Galle]
It was probably inevitable that you would include time in the North BUT would not recommend first time visitors being sent to Jaffna and Manna Island etc. Very dry nothing really but temples (and horses of course!) [We appreciate your comments as a first-time visitor to Sri Lanka and the north is not generally included in our introductions to the island. However, you requested an itinerary off the beaten track and away from crowds, hence Jaffna and Mannar Island featuring in your holiday. I hope that your time there didn’t detract too much from your enjoyment of the rest of the trip.]
Too much time idle in hotels.
Advising 82-year-old that the 400 or so steps to Dambulla Cave Temples a “gentle climb” is stretching it a bit. [Thanks for the feedback and we will bear your comments in mind for the future. Apologies for not giving you more details of the ascent to the cave temples.]
Otherwise very nice place, food to die for!
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