Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka was a spontaneous decision—and one I’m deeply glad I made.
It felt like a paradise.
A pause.
A moment to ask myself what I truly expect—from this journey, and from myself.
I met people who left a mark.
Some may never know how much they meant.
There were beaches, palm trees, fresh food, and the buzz of tourism.
And I found a place that recharged me—quietly, fully.
Sri Lanka was a lesson, a place of stillness, and a gentle return to something real.

<h3 class="font_3" style="text-align: center">📅 <strong>Date From:</strong> January 2025</h3>

As soon as I arrived,
I felt it –
that tropical atmosphere,
that shift.
Something inside me said:
This feels good.

I had a rough idea
of what I wanted to see.
So I started moving –
town to town,
chasing intuition more than plans.

That first night,
I went straight to the beach.
And it hit me:
the last time I saw the sea was Georgia,
the last time I swam in it – Turkey.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
And now…
the ocean again.

Then came the change.

A spontaneous connection
with two Australians and a German traveler
shifted my entire plan.
It was one of those moments –
where you follow the feeling,
not the schedule.
And suddenly,
everything opens.

I ended up in Hiriketiya,
a small town on the southern coast –
and I didn’t leave for seven weeks.

I found a place.
I found people.
And it felt like family.

I volunteered at a hostel,
extended my visa,
and finally –
after everything –
I could breathe again.

We talked.
We laughed.
We cooked.
We shared moments that
changed something in me.

I came to recharge –
and Sri Lanka gave me more than that.
It gave me clarity.
Warmth.
New strength.
And a completely new perspective
on what this journey really means.

All of it
because of one spontaneous decision
on a bench in Jaisalmer, India.

That’s life.
That’s travel.

Thank you
to every soul I met in Sri Lanka.
You made it unforgettable.
And you reminded me
how good it can feel
to just let go
and trust the moment.

🎒 Travel Mode

Backpack

📅 Date From: January 2025

📅 Date To: April 2025

📍 Points of Interest

⚓ Galle – echoes of colonial times linger in this coastal city. The old town and fortress reflect Portuguese and Dutch influence. It’s not the tropical paradise one might expect from Sri Lanka – but its historical depth is what makes it truly special.

🏄 Weligama / Mirissa – buzzing surf towns with international flair. Hostels, beach parties, and sunset drinks make it a social hub for travelers. Great for riding waves and meeting people from all over the world.

🌿 Ella – high up in the lush hills, far from the coastline vibe. A scenic town surrounded by tea plantations, waterfalls, and hiking trails. It shows a completely different face of Sri Lanka – quiet, green, and serene.

🏡 Hiriketiya – my favorite place. A small bay that felt like home. Less crowded than other coastal areas – the perfect mix of calm and community. I fell in love with this place, and I’ll definitely return.

✍️ Experience Snippet

It started with a scratchy throat.
Something I chose to ignore.
I’m not someone who goes to the doctor quickly –
I thought:
"It’ll go away on its own."
It didn’t.

Even when swallowing became painful,
I still convinced myself:
“Two more days and I’ll be fine.”

But that night,
I woke up –
I couldn’t swallow.
Breathing became difficult.

My throat was so swollen
I couldn’t even drink water.
I was dehydrated and dizzy.

The owner of the guesthouse
heard me coughing
and brought me tea.
But I couldn’t drink –
it kept going down the wrong way,
straight into my lungs.

I had to go to the hospital.
Milena, a French traveler,
came with me.
She’s not a fan of hospitals,
and can’t handle blood –
but she stayed.
Even though it was clearly hard for her.

Diagnosis:
swollen tonsils – for the first time in my life.

Blood test.
A heavy dose of intravenous antibiotics.
Something to reduce the swelling.
And by that evening –
I could drink again.

Two days later,
everything was fine.
Just as fast as it came – it left.

Locals told me it happens:
too much seawater over time,
combined with spicy food –
very common in Sri Lanka –
can make it worse.

And if you don’t take care of it –
this is what happens.

It was my first time
in a hospital on this journey.

And I was
so grateful
Milena stayed by my side.
Right when I needed it most.

👉 Want to see the full route?

Check out the route below.

Route