Thursday, October 27, 2011

Upcoming Travel: Sri Lanka on a shoestring

I decided on Sri Lanka after a lot of deliberation and hair-pulling (not that I have a lot of hairs left Smile). When I started planning, the options in front of me were the Saurashtra belt of Gujarat, Jaipur and Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, Puri and Konark in Orissa and Sri Lanka. I even did a vote, in which Gujarat came first and Sri Lanka a close second. But, finally, I chose Sri Lanka as I want to spend my 30th birthday in the same place where I spent my first.

This will be my second trip to Sri Lanka this year, but this time around I am going on a hit-the-road and find-your-way kind of trip. The last one, back in April, was more organized as I had a group of 9 people and couldn’t take any chances. This time around, I am with 2 close friends, who share the same attitude as mine. I leave on the 27th night and return on the morning of the 3rd, which gives me 6 full days in Sri Lanka. Feels less, but I guess I can make it meaningful.

The plan is pretty simple. Take the local trains and buses as much as possible. Hit the destination and then search for decent, yet budget accommodation. The aim is to spend as little as possible without comprising my passion for travel and discovering new places. And since this is travel on a shoestring, I am traveling lighter than usual (not that I travel with 2 huge suitcases on my international travels Smile).

In terms of the itinerary, I have Colombo sightseeing and partying, heritage train from Colombo to Nanu Oya, Nuwara Eliya and around, a couple of wildlife safaris at Yala National Park (a place that blew me away during my last visit) and some relaxing times at Sri Lanka’s favourite surfing beach, the Hikkaduwa Beach. Somewhere in between, I plan to visit ODEL, Sri Lanka’s fashion store to pick up some T Shirts and then also pick up some of that delightful long leaf tea that I have become so addicted to.

While I am at Sri Lanka, I will have no access to the internet and hence, my pictures and posts will wait till I am back on Nov 3. My gut says this trip will be adventurous…

12 comments:

  1. Santosh bsOctober 27, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    All the best Sankara, its definitely the best way to explore a place :)

    and best wishes on turning 30, welcome to the club :)

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  2. Rniranjan_dasOctober 27, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Sri Lankaaa...Here comes a true backpacking wanderer!! Bon Voyage Sankara.

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  3. Sankara Subramanian COctober 27, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Thank you and Thank you Santosh!

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  4. Sankara Subramanian COctober 27, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Thank you Niranjan!

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  5. ShivyaOctober 30, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Sounds like a fun adventure. I haven't been to Sri Lanka yet, but hope to make it there soon. Look forward to reading all about it!

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  6. Andrew Graeme GouldNovember 4, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    Looking foward to reading all about the trip when you return. Hope you're having a great time!

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  7. Sankara Subramanian CNovember 10, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    Yes, it was great fun Shivya! My experiences will keep going up on my blog along with pictures, once they get processed. Do stay tuned :-)

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  8. Sankara Subramanian CNovember 10, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    I did have a great time Andrew! Thank you for asking!

    The experiences are going up on my blog. Though, the photos will take a while to process. DO stay tuned!

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  9. Sankara Subramanian CJune 28, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    Thank you Niranjan!

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  10. Sankara Subramanian CJune 28, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    Thank you and Thank you Santosh!

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  11. Santosh bsJune 28, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    All the best Sankara, its definitely the best way to explore a place :)

    and best wishes on turning 30, welcome to the club :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rniranjan_dasJune 28, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    Sri Lankaaa...Here comes a true backpacking wanderer!! Bon Voyage Sankara.

    ReplyDelete