Come 'Sri Lanka' with me - why believe me?

There’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to travel. Instagram-perfect beaches, influencer-approved destinations, and posts that make every place sound the same. So why should you trust what I have to say about Sri Lanka?

Because this isn’t a holiday fling for me. Sri Lanka is home.

I’m an Aussie who spent some of my childhood in Ceylon (yes, back when it was still called that). The scent of frangipani and the sound of monsoon rain were part of my formative years. Life took me elsewhere for a while, but I always had a feeling I’d come back. And 15 years ago, I did—this time, for good.

Now, I live in the hills, waking up to mist rolling over emerald-green tea fields. I travel the island (constantly in awe of how much there still is to discover), and I shop in Colombo (where the variety is endless, and the prices make it hard to say no). There is much to see and do, experience spectacular sunsets, a dawn safari, walk in the footsteps of ancient kings or chill in the serenity of a tea garden - the island is as diverse as it is beautiful.

So when I say Sri Lanka is worth your time, it’s not because I read it in a guidebook. It’s because I’ve watched the sunrise over Sigiriya, walked barefoot in a temple older than some civilizations, shared a laugh with a tuk-tuk driver, and found hidden beaches where the only footprints in the sand were mine.

In this series—Come Sri Lanka with me—I’ll share the real Sri Lanka. The one beyond the glossy brochures. The one I see every day. The one that will stay with you long after you’ve left.

Come Sri Lanka with me. You’ll see why I never left.

Come 'Sri Lanka' with me - The Food . . oh the Food!

More Than Just Rice & Curry

If you think Sri Lankan food is just rice and curry, you haven’t eaten your way through this island properly.

The flavors here are next level. Fresh seafood, fire-roasted spices, and dishes so full of flavor they’ll ruin bland food for you forever.

Here’s what you need to try:

🥥 Hoppers – Crispy-edged, coconut-infused pancakes that cradle an egg like a piece of art. Best eaten with spicy sambols.

🌶 Kottu Roti – A personal favourite . . . its the ultimate street food. Chopped-up roti, sizzling on a hot plate with chicken, veggies, and spices, all mixed together in a rhythm you can hear before you even see it.

🐟 Fresh-off-the-boat seafood – Grilled, curried, or cooked however you like it. No frozen fillets here—just today’s catch, served with a side of ocean breeze. As seafood smorgasbord awaits!

🍛 Rice & curry, but done right – Not just one curry. Five or six, all different, all fresh, all made to be mixed together for a bite that hits sweet, sour, spicy, and umami all at once.

☕ Tea that actually tastes like something – Sri Lanka’s tea country produces some of the best in the world. You’ll never look at a supermarket tea bag the same way again.

And if you’re worried about missing your home comforts—Sri Lanka’s got you covered. Great coffee? Check. International cuisine? Everywhere. Gluten-free, vegan, organic? No problem.

And did I mention the fruit? Mango, guava, bananas, passionfruit, watermelon, oranges, the list is endless. This is food Sri Lankan style.

Come Sri Lanka with me.

Come "Sri Lanka' with me - The Culture

Some places have history. Sri Lanka has an entire ancient civilization. Kingdoms, fortresses, temples, and traditions that have lasted thousands of years—this is a country where the past is still very much alive.

Here’s why Sri Lanka’s culture isn’t just something to see—it’s something to experience.

🏰 Sigiriya – The Lion RockBuilt by a king with a flair for the dramatic, Sigiriya is an ancient fortress perched 200 meters above the jungle. With frescoes, mirror walls, and an engineering system so advanced it still baffles experts today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is part history, part mystery, and all breathtaking.

🛕 Dambulla Cave Temple – A Spiritual Masterpiece. A temple tucked inside a cave? Not just one—five. With over 150 Buddha statues and ceilings covered in centuries-old murals, Dambulla is Sri Lanka’s most stunning cave temple. The energy here? Unreal.

🏛 Anuradhapura – The Timeless Kingdom. Once the capital of a powerful empire, Anuradhapura is a city of massive stupas, ancient monasteries, and the world’s oldest living tree planted by human hands—the Sri Maha Bodhi. You can cycle through the ruins, soak in the history, and feel the presence of the kings and monks who once walked these streets.

🏛 Polonnaruwa – The Lost City of Kings. Think of it as the sequel to Anuradhapura—Sri Lanka’s second great kingdom. The ruins here tell stories of royalty, conquests, and devotion, with colossal Buddha statues, intricate carvings, and massive stone palaces that prove just how advanced this civilization was.

🏰 Galle Fort – Where Cultures Collide. The Dutch built it, the Portuguese fought for it, and the British moved in later. Today, Galle Fort is a charming mix of colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and boutique shops. Walk along the ramparts at sunset and watch the waves crash below—it’s a scene straight out of a storybook.

💃 Kandyan Dancing – The Rhythm of the Island. Drums pounding. Dancers flipping. Costumes shimmering in gold and red. Kandyan dancing is the heartbeat of Sri Lanka’s cultural identity—a performance so intense, you’ll feel the energy pulsing through you.

🎉 Sinhala & Tamil New Year – A Celebration Like No Other. Every April, Sri Lanka hits pause for New Year celebrations. The entire country slows down for astrological timings, traditional games, and feasting on sweet treats like kokis and kavum. It’s all about family, fresh starts, and food—lots of food.

🪔 Vesak – When the Island Glows. A celebration of Lord Buddha's birth. Picture streets lined with lanterns flickering in the night, temples filled with chants and offerings, and massive pandals (storyboards made of lights) telling Buddhist stories. Vesak (usually in May) is both a spiritual and visual spectacle, proving that light always finds a way.

🎄 Christmas in Colombo – A Tropical Winter Wonderland. Who needs snow when you have twinkling lights, giant Christmas trees, and extravagant hotel decorations? Sri Lanka may not be the first place that comes to mind for Christmas, but Colombo knows how to put on a show—with holiday spirit as warm as the tropical air.

Sri Lanka doesn’t just have culture—it is culture.

Come Sri Lanka with me.