Posted on November 17, 2017

Photo Diary: How to Make the Most of Your Time in Colombo and Galle

If you are short on time in Colombo and Galle like we were, sign up for an authentic tour with Pepper Sri Lanka who pride themselves on tailor-made trips, giving an insightful perspective into day-to-day life and helping visitors discover hidden corners of the city which most tourists are unaware of – my kind of tour.

Many thanks to Flydubai and The Travel Hub for hosting my trip to Sri Lanka in style – as always, all opinions are my own.

Scroll below for a glimpse of Colombo and Galle with Pepper Sri Lanka who made sure we saw the best parts of both cities.

COLOMBO: Around Seema Malaka Buddhist temple which was built by Sri Lanka’s celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa. The temple is used more for meditation than it is for worship.
COLOMBO: The Sivan Kovil temple (which is an architectural masterpiece) is the only one in Sri Lanka constructed entirely of black granite. Tall graceful stone columns, stone carvings, panelled ceilings and antique chandeliers are just a few intricate details to look out for in this beautiful temple.
COLOMBO: Learning about Sri Lankan traditions is part of the Pepper Sri Lanka experience.
COLOMBO: Bright colours, enticing aromas and delicious food around every corner.
COLOMBO: In the short time we spent in Colombo, Arshad from Pepper Sri Lanka (who has lived here for several years), gave us a walking tour of his favourite parts of the city. We learnt a lot about the history, food, culture and most importantly, we experienced the warmth of the Sri Lankan people. Travel isn’t just about seeing new places, it’s about meeting new people and developing new friendships too.
COLOMBO: The glorious Jami-ul Alfar Masjid also known as the Red Mosque in Colombo dates back to 1909. The impressive structure incorporates minarets, pomegranate-shaped domes and hand-painted red and white bricks.
COLOMBO: We bumped into Somsiri as we traversed the bustling streets and colourful alleyways of Colombo with Arshad of Pepper Sri Lanka. It was a hot and humid day and we found him sitting under a tree with, believe it or not, a teddy bear hanging from a branch above him. They say everyone has a story and I’m not sure what his was but we did manage to make him smile.
GALLE: Galle was founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
GALLE: A really fun way to get around a city in Sri Lanka is by tuk-tuk – you will see one at practically every turn. Pepper Sri Lanka showed us around the best spots in this quaint port city of Galle which has been ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British and boasts Dutch colonial architecture. While away the time here by shopping and dining at charming stores and restaurants.
GALLE: Meet Lakshitha – one of the crazy jumpers (that’s really what they’re called) who dared to jump three times into the ocean from various rocks around the Galle Fort and Lighthouse. Most jumpers have bleached blonde hair because of natural exposure to the sun for long periods of time.
GALLE: Walk along the beach, watch the crazy jumpers or admire this beautiful lighthouse dating back to 1848 within Galle Fort. Head here at sunrise if you want to beat the crowds as it can get really busy. You cannot go to the top of the lighthouse- the views from there would be incredible though.
GALLE: I finally understand why Sri Lanka is often referred to as heaven on earth. There is a fair bit of driving involved to access various parts of this beautiful country but it’s so worth it and each place has so much to offer. The sunsets are particularly spectacular.