Sri Lanka: A Journey Two Years in the Making
After almost two years of planning, it was incredibly rewarding to finally welcome our group to Sri Lanka for a fully escorted culinary and cultural journey hosted with my friend Ayoma from Red Chilli Deli in Orange.
Ayoma was born in Sri Lanka, and her personal connection to the country added something that no ordinary itinerary could replicate. This was not simply about visiting the highlights - it was about experiencing the food, traditions, history and everyday warmth of Sri Lanka through someone who understands it deeply.
Over 16 days, our group discovered a country of extraordinary variety. We travelled through changing landscapes, from cultural cities and tea-covered hills to wildlife-rich national parks and the coast.
Many Sri Lankan icons came one after another: watching an elephant casually stroll beside the road, a beautiful train journey through the hill country, time among the tea plantations and being incredibly lucky to see a leopard in Yala National Park. Although the itinerary was full, it never felt like we were rushing simply to tick off sights. There was time to enjoy the scenery, meet local people and appreciate the small moments along the way.
The Kandy Esala Perahera was one of the most anticipated experiences. This historic Buddhist festival fills the city with music, dancers, drummers and centuries of tradition. Being there in person allowed us to appreciate its scale, atmosphere and cultural significance in a way no photograph or video could convey.
Another particularly meaningful visit was the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe. Unlike a traditional elephant orphanage, its focus is on rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants before returning them to the wild. Watching the young elephants while learning about the program’s conservation work was a special experience for the group.
We also visited a local daycare centre, where our travellers brought Lego, colouring books, pencils and other gifts. Together, we donated enough money for the centre to purchase a new rice cooker to help prepare the children’s lunches. The welcome we received - and the children singing for us - was one of those simple, joyful experiences that stays with you.
What made the tour truly memorable, however, was the group itself. Travel has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and sharing these experiences created friendships and plenty of laughter along the way.
Although I had visited Sri Lanka before, experiencing it as the host of this special group journey gave me an entirely new perspective. Watching our travellers discover the country’s flavoursome cuisine, fascinating culture, wildlife and genuine hospitality was incredibly rewarding - and I am already thinking about how we might return.