{"id":17222,"date":"2025-12-03T13:20:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T13:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/?p=17222"},"modified":"2025-12-11T09:52:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T09:52:51","slug":"cath-discovers-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/cath-discovers-sri-lanka","title":{"rendered":"Cath discovers Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On her very first trip to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/sri-lanka-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sri Lanka<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/team\/catherine-soares-de-melo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cath<\/a> had no idea just how much she would fall in love with this pint-sized island and its people. From the jungle-bound and culturally-enriching interiors to the gorgeous coast, she was in heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/sigiriya-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lanka trip\" class=\"wp-image-17345\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1.jpg 432w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-1-1-scaled.jpg 1153w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cath catching the sunrise atop Sigiriya Rock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter climbing hundreds of steps, which really made me question the state of my knees, we reached the top of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/sigiriya-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sigiriya Rock<\/a> \u2013 just in time to watch the sunrise. It was truly incredible to see its ancient rock fortress up-close and take in the views of endless emerald forests below.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/water-garden-sigiriya\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2567\" height=\"1711\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/water-garden-fotor-20251211115056.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17416\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/water-garden-fotor-20251211115056.png 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1440,height=960,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/water-garden-fotor-20251211115056.png 1440w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=250,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/water-garden-fotor-20251211115056.png 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=300,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/water-garden-fotor-20251211115056.png 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=512,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/water-garden-fotor-20251211115056.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2567px) 100vw, 2567px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tranquillity incarnate at Sigiriya Water Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI stayed at the serene <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/water-garden-sigiriya\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sigiriya Water Garden<\/a>, which boasts its own spectacular view of the Rock, which you can enjoy whilst strolling around the pretty, water-logged grounds. Enjoying a dip in my private plunge pool as peacocks called in the distance was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/kandy-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"1816\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lanka trip\" class=\"wp-image-17341\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=900,height=405,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-3-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-3-1.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=169,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-3-1.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=203,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-3-1.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=346,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-3-1.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The street-side scenes on the way to Kandy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe then made our way to the sacred city of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/kandy-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kandy<\/a>, a pristine lakeside town where you can visit the famous Temple of the Tooth, explore the Royal Botanic Gardens and stroll along the water\u2019s edge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/adigar-s-manor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg 899w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1439,height=960,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg 1439w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=250,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=300,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=512,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Adigars-Manor.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the many gorgeous pools Cath enjoyed &#8211; this one at Adigar&#8217;s Manor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI found paradise in the form of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/adigar-s-manor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adigar&#8217;s Manor<\/a>, where I was welcomed with spirited music and dancing. Filled with vintage memorabilia, the house is set in lush gardens where deer wander past as meals are served on the veranda \u2013 all authentically Sri Lankan, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/ceylon-tea-trails\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-6.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lanka trip\" class=\"wp-image-17344\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-6.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-6.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-6.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-6.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-6.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tea pickers in the fields of Dunkeld Tea Factory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter an eventful train journey, I arrived by boat at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/ceylon-tea-trails\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ceylon Tea Trails<\/a>, which overlooks the stunning lake laid out before you. The food, service and scenery are massive highlights as well as my visit to the Dunkeld Tea Factory. The tour was fascinating, teaching us all about tea auctions, tea brokers and the lives of the tea picking ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/hotel\/ceylon-tea-trails\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg 899w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1439,height=960,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg 1439w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=250,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=300,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=512,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/ceylon-tea-trails-19.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Glorious views from the pool at Ceylon Tea Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThroughout my trip, there was an abundance of ridiculously beautiful pools and, perched high above the lake, this one was no different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/the-south-coast-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"1816\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-8.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lanka trip\" class=\"wp-image-17343\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=900,height=405,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-8.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-8.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=169,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-8.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=203,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-8.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=346,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/sri-lanka-8.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the glorious sunsets Cath enjoyed on the South Coast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen, it was time to to the dreamy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/the-south-coast-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Coast<\/a>, where I enjoyed many beautiful sunsets (as well as the bell at my hotel that read, \u201cPush for champagne\u201d). I also partook in a fantastic walking tour with a local who has lived in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/galle-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Galle Fort<\/a> his entire life. In addition to the rich history of this lovely fort town, one can browse around the many stores and restaurants to purchase a few last minute curios.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/colombo-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"3988\" height=\"2659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Columbo-timbuktu-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Columbo-timbuktu-3.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1440,height=960,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Columbo-timbuktu-3.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=250,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Columbo-timbuktu-3.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=300,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Columbo-timbuktu-3.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=512,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2025\/12\/Columbo-timbuktu-3.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3988px) 100vw, 3988px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The eye-popping Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBefore my flight home, there was time to do a little sightseeing in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/colombo-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colombo<\/a>, where I saw the eye-popping Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque. Amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fancy doing something similar? Take a look at Cath&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/5d34cb6f-80d9-4632-9896-3ae5c38315cf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trip<\/a> or start planning your own Sri Lanka journey from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/start\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scratch<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"timbuktu-wp\"><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Merriweather:700|Open+Sans:300,600\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/wizard\/start?action=StartTheWizard&wId=001\" class=\"no_underline timbuktu-test-class\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_container image-included\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner \" data-entity-type=\"country\" data-country-id=\"10000001\">\n                    <figure><img src=https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/images\/affiliate\/start-africa-safari-wizard-timbuktu-travel.jpg?w=500&h=634&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=2&q=50&crop=center center data-country-id=\"10000001\" class=\"timbuktu_desktop_image\" alt=\"Wizard Image\"><img src=https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/images\/affiliate\/start-africa-safari-wizard-timbuktu-travel.jpg?w=768&h=309&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=1&q=50&crop=center center data-country-id=\"10000001\" class=\"timbuktu_mobile_image\" alt=\"Wizard Image\"><\/figure><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_copy\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_heading\">Not sure where to go?<\/div>\n                        <span class=\"timbuktu_works\">Answer a few simple questions to get instant trip recommendations<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"timbuktu_button\" style=\"background-color:#128d8d\">Start the wizard<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><\/a><\/div><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Going solo in Sri Lanka was just the ticket<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":17410,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[175,113],"tags":[9104,8998,5057,5093,5038,5059,5045,5064,5055,5035,5063],"class_list":["post-17222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outabout","category-timbuktu-team","tag-adigars-manor","tag-catherine-soares-de-melo","tag-ceylon-tea-trails","tag-colombo","tag-galle","tag-hatton","tag-kandy","tag-sigiriya","tag-south-coast","tag-sri-lanka","tag-water-garden-sigiriya"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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