After a busy year, my choice for my warm holiday is Sri Lanka this year ... 14 years after the first failed attempt, I took off from Geneva this time. A big delay in Dubai unfortunately prevented me from seeing Blaise's friend for a drink when I arrived in Colombo. The next day I went to Kandy for 2 days ... My driver turned into a tour guide as expected and I made a friend elephant named Raj very quickly. I spent 2 days in this great little welcoming town, the local food is excellent, looking forward to the next days. Then I left for 2 days in the cultural triangle to the north, it's beautiful, the temples are amazing, we drove along a park where we crossed elephants even on the road. Monkeys, squirrels, dogs were everywhere around the historical curiosity. I was welcomed by my new Sri Lankan mother which made me feel at home. I befriended a Dutch couple with whom I shared my driver and even to shared the ride down south to Nuwarra Eliya in the mountains the next day. It was chilly but the landscape was worth it. Then I headed for the small village of Ella, my favourite little village ... It's beautiful, I hiked little Adam's peak for sunset, beautiful. The next day, I booked a tuktuk to visit the area, more temples, a tea factory, the big bridge and the waterfalls.
I then headed towards Yala National Park, which has the largest concentration of leopards in the world. I arrived at my camp and settled in my luxury tent featuring a private bathroom, a fan ... luxury. In 4 safaris, I was lucky enough to admire 3 leopards. I had my own private guide, it was great even if the safaris looks like a contest to secure the leopards first. I then continued along the coast to stop at Mirissa for whale watching. Unfortunately the weather was bad and I preferred to avoid the the choppy water and gave up on whale watching. I continued to Galle and its very charming coastal atmosphere. I enjoyed visiting the colonial district and walking along the fortification. I ended with a night and a full day in the main city of Colombo. I enjoyed the rooftop pool of the hotel before visiting the city the next day ... Colombo is a typical big asian city, too much traffic for me after these relaxing holidays in this beautiful country. I highly recommend this beautiful country where the food is amazing and the local people are amongst the more welcoming in Asia.