Eastern Promise

Returning can be wonderful, whether it be for reminiscing or revisiting, whether reviewing or resolving. It is most exciting when returning also means discovery. For us, our recent return to Sri Lanka was just that – a discovery.

Our annual Christmas visits, to date, have always included visits out of Colombo, in addition to the ample revelry with friends, relatives and relatives who are friends. We decided on Trincomalee last December, a new visit for all (even for this Sri Lanka born).

Trincomalee (or ‘Trinco’ as it is popularly known) and the east lay claim to Sri Lanka’s finest beaches; its waters are teeming with sea life and it is a veritable diver’s paradise. But we discovered just on this first trip, as many delights on land. Trinco had been off limits for most of my childhood due to the war and, with the welcome advent of peace, came access.

Although December is offseason for ocean activities (which includes whale and dolphin-watching, scuba diving, snorkelling and sea swimming), we were still keen to visit the area before its inevitable development through tourism and speculation.

We headed off early Monday morning, breaking our journey in Kandy and Dambulla (where the beautiful and world-famous Rock Temple is), to get some relief from the gruelling eight-hour journey to Trinco.

Leaving Colombo, the roads are easier for travel and, when driving through Ambepussa, do stop at the Rest House – a former colonial government house, which is now a warm Bawa-style boutique hotel – before moving on to Dambulla.

The Rock Temple is elegantly situated on a hilltop, requiring a challenging climb that is rewarded by serenity and beauty – an analogy to life, perhaps.

Other Posts :

Laneways And Languid Days

Poolside Panorama

Homecoming

Enter The Optimist