Chris & Vee
England, February 2016
What did you like most about Sri Lanka?
Variety of scenery within relatively small area; amazing variety of bird and animal life; the people.
What did you like least about Sri Lanka?
The unrestricted wildlife parks which allowed access to too many vehicles, so that what should have been a quiet, orderly and exciting experience resembled nothing so much as a rugby scrum at times.
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Sri Lanka?
Heritance Kandalama [Dambulla] – Spectacular setting and architecture, lovely rooms. Although a large hotel, all was very pleasant. Good food even though self-service, prompt action when there was a leak from the bathroom above. Only criticism – paving around pool not too safe. The road from hotel to main road was magical – so many birds an interesting sights.
Mountbatten Bungalow [Kandy] – Beautiful setting, pleasant gardens and good pool for swimming. Our room was very colonial and quirky, big enough for a party and the bath was great for tired muscles. However, the food could at best be described as frugal – unexciting, small portions especially the starters, which couldn’t have cost more than 20 pence to prepare. There was a general air of not quite getting it right, difficult to put a finger on exactly. Also, having read the potted history provided in our room, the Mountbatten connection seems tenuous at best! Service – staff trying but very naïve with other guests had cause to complain re speed of service.
Norwood Bungalow [Ceylon Tea Trails, Adam’s Peak] – Superb setting, rooms and service, and great pool to swim a few lengths in while admiring the stunning view. Dinners and pre-dinner drinks enjoyable though food not very adventurous, but good quality. Chris enjoyed his walk in the vicinity. Oh, and we liked the afternoon teas! Very restful. Inclusive of washing and ironing of clothes a bonus.
98 Acres [Resort, Ella] – Our request to have a few steps because of my walking difficulties seemed to have been ignored. The view from our room was stunning, but eco-shower etc a bit too rustic for us. Our overriding impression however was that safety could have been a lot better – uneven decking, very dangerous around restaurant especially in the dark, steps everywhere, few handrails to help climb the numerous steps and unfenced sheer drop next to the pool. Maybe for younger travellers than us! Food OK.
Camping at Yala [Kulu Safaris] – We were booked to stay here for 2 nights, but sadly had to move on after 1 night – though no fault of the camping, I should add. We had an enjoyable drive on the afternoon of our arrival, but the early morning drive the following day was affected by heavy rain and the jeep was jolting badly in the churned-up mud (though our driver was very careful) and my back started to suffer – so much so that the thought of 2 more drives was not a prospect I relished and I really needed a hot bath and a very comfortable bed, neither of which were available and so we moved on to Galle a day early. Getting to the campsite from the surfaced road was an ordeal – very many bumps and potholes for several kilometres. If we had stayed the full 2 days, this ordeal would have been suffered 10 times – one can lose the will to live!
We have no complaints about the operators – the guides were knowledgeable and cheerful, all accommodation (despite my previous misgivings) was fine, food was excellent and the communal evening meal very convivial. However, one night was enough, though we saw only leopard footprints, not the elusive beast itself.
[Jetwing] Lighthouse, Galle – An excellent place to finish our stay. Lovely setting and rooms, one of the best pools we’ve swum in, good food and choice with attentive service and Galle itself is charming.
What is your opinion of your chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka?
Kapila (until Day 6) – a delightful and knowledgeable man. His ability to spot birds and animals was amazing and made every drive a delight.
Ravi – quiet, thoughtful and considerate, did his utmost to help us, considerate of my bad back and also lovely.
Kapila’s brother (in law?) – took us to the airport on the last day – very jolly.
What is your opinion of your flights to and from Sri Lanka?
Both flights were good. Our only niggle was the struggle to get special assistance in advance, a mere formality with other airlines (only need a wheelchair which husband can push) – SriLankan Airlines asked for my surgeon’s report and assessment by their medical team. Ridiculous waste of time and money. However, all supplied, on time, and excellent service. [Economy Class]
Any other comments?
One of our best ever holidays, with lots of lovely memories to look back on. We think that there would be plenty still to see on another trip in a few years’ time.
Thank you very much for providing such a well-planned itinerary, some excellent individual hotels and, best of all, our lovely drivers [guides].
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