My First Solo Trip to Sri Lanka with Travelling Divas—What an Adventure!

A solo trip had been on my mind for a while. I often dreamt of lounging on the beach, sipping a refreshing drink, reading a good book. With that, it was settled that my first solo escapade had to be a coastal vacation. However, I didn’t want to choose mainstream destinations like Goa, Kerala or even Maldives or Malaysia. Not so long ago, while browsing for holiday packages online, I stumbled across the 4-night Travelling Divas—Exotic Sri Lanka package by MakeMyTrip, and booked it immediately! 

Sri Lanka – A Land of the Exotic

Sri Lanka truly lived up to its reputation of an exotic land with a tasteful combination of rich culture, cuisine, wildlife and endless avenues for adventures of a lifetime. From the moment we hit the roads of Colombo, I knew I was in for a trip of a lifetime. The tasteful co-existence of a modern lifestyle with a colonial backdrop of buildings influenced by Dutch, British and Portuguese architecture is a sight to behold.

Kicking Off the Holiday with a Party

After using up the afternoon to rest and rejuvenate, it was time to kick off the holiday with a grand party at OZO Sky Lounge. One of hottest destinations in all of Colombo, OZO brings out the energetic nightlife of this city in true earnest. Scrumptious snacks, exotic cocktails and groove-worthy music – there was just no reason to call it a night.

Read More: Sri Lanka's Must-See Tourist Places

Day Tour of Colombo

Having partied away the night, I ended up skipping the lavish breakfast buffet, which is my absolute favourite part of hotel stays, and made it just in time for the day tour to some interesting landmarks in the city such as the National Museum, Twin World Trade Center Towers, Old Parliament Building and Independence Square. For me, the highlight was riding in a classic vintage car as I went from one tourist attraction to the other, followed by the excursion to the Galle Face Green, an ocean-side urban park.

I wrapped up the day with a sumptuous lunch, some retail therapy and a relaxing spa treatment – loading up on the all the quintessential elements of a holiday in a single outing.

Water Wonders

I always sway in favour of beach holidays out of my love for water. The third day of my Sri Lanka escapade was all about indulging this never-ending love for water and aquatic life. It began with a cruise on Madu River, sailing across the mesmerizing blue-grey waters towards the dense mangroves inhabited by cormorants, kingfishers, egrets and monitor lizards.

After marvelling at the bounties of nature, it was time to indulge in some exciting water sports. I tried my hand at jet skiing, water gliding in tube rides and even a banana boat ride. Phewww, what an evening! It was now time to wind up the day with a lavish gourmet meal at a beach-front restaurant. The cool coastal breeze flirting with my hair as I dug into delicious food and drinks was the perfect summation to a perfect day. 

The highlight of my day was the visit to the Turtle Hatchery. Watching baby turtles open their eyes to the world and scores of them being released safely to their natural habitat – the sea – made for a fascinating experience.

Read More: Top 5 Adventure Activities in Sri Lanka

Whale Watching

The holiday drew to a close on just as high a note as it began. This was my day to reserved for whale watching off the coast of Mirissa. The pristine clear waters made the perfect setting for catching a glimpse of the charismatic whales from close quarters. In addition to the whales, I even got the chance to watch dolphins frolic about. The whale watching in the morning hours was followed by a trip to the terraced tea fields around the Balapitiya Tea Factory and a shopping spree at the local market.

My first solo holiday turned out to be just as gratifying as I had imagined. Apart from exploring my chosen destination at my own pace, this solo holiday also gave me the perfect opportunity to re-connect with myself. I am already looking forward to my next!

Book Your Sri Lanka Holiday Here!