Sri Lanka - Maldives
Day 1: A night flight with a stopover in Dubai takes you to Colombo.
Day 2: After landing in Colombo , we were transferred to the hotel and met our private tour guide. At the time, the price difference between the package tour and the private tour was around €160, so we didn't have to think twice. After getting acquainted, we spent the afternoon relaxing on Negombo Beach .
Day 3: On our drive inland, we get our first impression of the tropical vegetation and the diverse landscape. Our first short visit is in Puttalam , before we continue to Anuradhapura , the oldest royal city in Sri Lanka. It is a sacred city for all Buddhists, as a sapling of the Bodhi tree , under which Buddha attained enlightenment, grows here. Within the city's large archaeological area, the Vessagiriya excavation site is well worth a visit. We will then have a more detailed visit to the nearby Isurumuniya Temple . It is a small Buddhist monastery built into the rocks, featuring beautiful stonework. We continue on foot to the famous Bodhi tree, officially named Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi . Planted in 288 BC, this tree, at just over 2,200 years old, is the oldest living tree in the world. To conclude our tour of the city, we will visit the Ruwanweli Maha Seya . It is one of the largest stupas in the world, standing 103 meters tall with a circumference of 290 meters, and houses a comprehensive collection of relics. A visit to Anuradhapura is definitely a must on any Sri Lanka vacation. After our visit here, we will continue on to Habarana.
Day 4: Today's excursion takes us to the famous rock fortress of Sigiriya . At the summit of the massive, approximately 200-meter-high monolith are the ruins of the legendary palace (the king was murdered by his son over power and built this fortress to protect himself from his brother). The complex is very interesting overall, and the view from the top is fantastic. A particular highlight of the site are the rock frescoes of the "Cloud Maidens," considered one of the finest examples of Sinhalese art. These frescoes at the Sigiriya fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are approximately 1,500 years old. The semi-nude women owe their voluptuous appearance to restoration work carried out in the 1970s, which included breast augmentation. Please note: Photography is prohibited by law. In the afternoon, we continue to the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa . After being refreshed with water by an elephant, we set off on our city tour. We begin with the Potgul Temple , an old Buddhist library and monastery complex, and the statue of King Parakramabahu . While you're there, take a look at the king's right shoulder... is that a rabbit looking over his shoulder? We then have a more detailed tour of the Royal Palace complex . The palace itself is said to have comprised around 1,000 rooms. Today, parts of the brick walls still remain. and various ruins as well as elegant sculptures can be seen. In addition, the entrance walls still stand, which certainly give an impression of the palace in its heyday.
Day 5: After breakfast, we travel to the famous rock temples of Dambulla . One of the best-preserved sites for cave art, Dambulla impresses with its many different temples adorned with stunning frescoes and a large number of Buddha statues. Afterwards, we continue to Kandy , the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. En route, a stop at a spice garden is a must, where we will be introduced to the secrets of Ayurvedic medicine. Upon arrival in Kandy, we will see typical craft workshops during a city tour. In the afternoon, we will visit the revered Temple of the Tooth, officially known as Sri Dalada Maligawa . The temple houses an extremely valuable tooth relic, believed to be a tooth of Buddha . Due to its immense significance, it became a symbol of power for the Sinhalese monarchy. In the evening, we will enjoy a performance of classical Kandy dances . We then had one last drink at the hotel bar, which was a very special experience... a bat was flying around the bar, apparently coming in through the open window every evening.
Day 6: Today we visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage . We can peacefully watch the elephants being fed and taking a long bath in the river. Even though the story behind it is sad, it's simply wonderful that the orphaned elephants have found a home here. They also don't offer any riding tours for tourists. A truly lovely part of the program. Back in Kandy, we have free time and stroll around. In the evening, the bat is back again, which is great advertising for the bar. Some guests probably only come to the bar because of it.
Day 7: Before continuing our journey, we'll take a stroll through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, a suburb of Kandy. Our destination today is Nuwara Eliya . A winding road takes us past waterfalls and tea plantations to the Sri Lankan highlands. A visit to a tea factory along the way is a must. We'll enjoy delicious tea and learn a great deal about the plant. In Nuwara Eliya , the city above the clouds in the heart of the highlands, we'll be surprised by the sight of a typical British colonial settlement, complete with parks, a golf course, and a horse racing track. The evening at the hotel will naturally end with tea by the fireplace.
Day 8: Passing rice terraces and vegetable plantations, we travel south through Sri Lanka to Yala National Park on the Indian Ocean. A safari in Sri Lanka's largest national park is a must. So we hop into the jeep, attach the telephoto lens, and embark on an exciting jeep safari in the park. We enjoy the magnificent flora and fauna. We are incredibly lucky to spot a leopard! Unfortunately, we don't see any bears, which also inhabit the park.
Day 9: Return journey along the coast to Colombo with a stop in Galle . Of course, the famous photo of the stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka is a must. They don't actually fish, but they readily pose for a photo (a tip is expected). On the way to the airport, our driver is caught by the police running a red light. We're surprised that there's even a traffic police force, as driving in Sri Lanka seems to follow the motto: "Let the others pay attention." We're worried our flight might be in jeopardy, as the policeman is quite insistent on speaking to our guide. After what feels like an eternity, we're finally able to continue. He doesn't tell us how he "solved the problem." Anyway, we manage to catch our flight to Malé late that evening.
Day 10: It wasn't until breakfast that we truly realized we were in the Maldives . The breakfast room had a sensational view, so our anticipation for the relaxing part of the trip grew, if it weren't for the upcoming seaplane flight. At least for me, the feeling of unease as I headed to the terminal was awful, and then things really took a turn for the worse. Just before takeoff, they were actually tinkering with the engine. I'd rather not show the photos here. Anyway, my heart sank. I was on the verge of refusing to board and finding a ferry instead. After a near-marital spat (my wife's exact words: "At least we'll crash together then"), I boarded with trembling knees, and to this day I have no idea what my heart rate was at that moment. To top it all off, we had a man as co-pilot and a woman as pilot... you know how it is: women on board... They were both barefoot in the cockpit, which didn't exactly reassure me. I'm so relieved we arrived safely. The plane landed on a pontoon, the luggage was transferred to a small boat from the hotel, and then we arrived. It's a tiny barefoot island. So, you have to leave your shoes at reception and not put them back on for eight days. On the way to our water bungalow, we realized just how special this region of the world is. It's so completely different in terms of colors, light, and surroundings. A bungalow on the water is, of course, incredibly unique and beautiful. We could go straight from the bungalow into the water for our first snorkeling session. It was truly wonderful to arrive like that. Then, barefoot to the restaurant for dinner and afterwards, we watched the sunset. It seemed to be developing quite nicely, but unfortunately, we didn't have a camera with us, so we just sat around and watched for a while. However, it seemed to be getting better and better; the sky and clouds were already turning quite yellow, and she still felt like getting the camera. Then it happened... the clouds exploded with orange and red hues. It's a good thing we had gone and gotten the camera. The most beautiful sunset we have ever seen (incidentally, second place went to the sunset over Bagan).
Days 11 to 19: The next few days on a Maldivian island can be summed up quickly: The island can be circumnavigated in just a few minutes on foot or by swimming, the weather, the colors, the reef with its marine life are magnificent, the food is superb... simply put, it's paradise... but after a while, it can get a bit monotonous. After a few days, we start debating whether to circumnavigate the island clockwise or counterclockwise, or swim around the reef to the right or left. You can't spend all day in the water either. And eventually, you get tired of reading and relaxing on the terrace. Ultimately, you have to carefully consider which type of island best suits your vacation style and how long you want to stay. To avoid any misunderstandings: the Maldives are an incredibly beautiful travel destination, and there are far worse places where things can get a little boring.