Best of Sri Lanka Tour

09/11/2023

I would like to introduce you to our co-guide and driver on our tours. Sanjaya is fluent in English and extremely knowledgeable about everything to do with SL. I get jealous - all my guests leave 5 staring Sanjaya while I get ignored. He is also an extremely safe and diligent driver.

08/11/2023

I have locals wanting to go on a tour next year but can’t do May. I am going to make the Oct/Nov 24 tour for locals only as well. Two seats gone, four left.

30/10/2023

Although food is a big priority on bestofsrilanktour it is mainly what happens around the food. Good conversation with good people where we dispense with screens, devices and distractions and really get to be with each other. 6 people plus me. That’s the best thing.

24/10/2023

Let’s talk about Sri Lanka
Sometimes I am asked what is happening in Sri Lanka, is it safe and is it ok to travel there?
The last human induced disaster was the previous government was led by a family of kleptocrats - the Rajapaksas. Corruption and mismanagement bled the coffers dry and they only just managed a loan from the IMF to bail them out. They are also up to their neck in Chinese debt but that’s another story.
The plan seems to be to get through the next two to three years without another major mishap so they can get to solid ground. Everyone is hoping for that. Therefore there seems to be a consensus to delay elections which are due so the new-ish president - Wikrekremesinghe - can have time for things to settle. He is not a cleanskin as was in cahoots with the Rajapaksas and probably protecting them from justice on all sorts of crimes. But he is experienced snd competent and probably the only one capable of keeping things together.
Tourism is their main hope of salvation. They are in desperate need of foreign funds as the SL rupiah is at an all time low and not a stable currency to trade. Tourism numbers are back close to 50% of pre Covid and there is the hope of a big Xmas season this year when the European snow birds arrive.
The exchange rate is good if you are there shopping and it is not busy. The people are still smiling, calm, gracious and welcoming. I still had a great stay even tho the end of the wet season was pretty rainy.
My next tour is in May 24 for any one interest.

10/08/2023

First planning meeting of the “Byron Locals Tour” of Sri Lanka happening next year. Probably May. Should be great. Any Byron local interested DM me or go to wwwbestofsrilankatour for more info.

29/03/2023

Lion Rock, or Sigiriya, was a tourist destination in the middle of the island that I avoided for many years. I thought it was too touristy and over rated. But when I finally climbed it and understood the history and uniqueness, I was sold. It is SLS premium tourist destination for a reason and well worth a visit.

22/03/2023

Idalgishina train station in the Sri Lankan high country. Best to get 2nd class seats so in with the locals and comfortable enough. Also you can hang out the windows. 1st class windows are shut for air con. Tips for travelling in SL.
Linkin.bio

20/03/2023

Food glorious food. The taste of Sri Lanka.

17/03/2023

Found this interesting article about Bawa inspired houses in Sydney.

In this lovely example of crossing cultural boundaries – the clients have combined Italian and Sri Lankan heritage – materiality and openness to the

16/03/2023

The Geoffrey Bawa tour in June visits 13 of the 15 iconic Geoffrey Bawa projects in June 23.

Almost two decades after his death, the name Geoffrey Bawa still holds an important place in the history of architecture.....

15/03/2023

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NweJcNrU7dg

Filming in Sri Lanka over a 6 week period in January and February 2023, I was able to see for myself that Sri Lanka is completely back on track as far as the...

06/03/2023

One outing my guests seem to love in the high country is tea picking. Get dressed up in full sari and learn about tea. Too much fun!!

19/02/2023

Breakfast at Hirikitiya beach. I first visited here 20 years ago and there was nothing there. Now it is a must see destination on the south coast.

15/02/2023

This is outside the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Where the Lit’d Buddha’s tooth is kept for safe keeping. Every full moon is a massive festival and parade but every evening at 6 pm there is a fascinating ritual. Sri Lanka is 70% Buddhist.
Link in bio.

13/02/2023

Looking forward to getting on the tea country train again. Just one adventure on the Mountain to the Beach Tour November 23.
Link in bio

10/02/2023

The economic woes of Sri Lanka are not over yet but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The IMF and the Paris Club (western financiers etc) have put together a refinance package of close to $3b. Two of the largest debt owners have signed, Japan and India, but not the largest - China. They obviously don’t want to set a precedent for all the other debtor nations they have from their Belt and Road project.

09/02/2023

This is a view of Geoffrey Bawa’s Heritance Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka. One of our special spots on the Geoffrey Bawa Architecture Tour in June.
Link in bio

07/02/2023

Two tours with BOSL scheduled for 2023. In June we do the Geoffrey Bawa Architecture Tour. Four places left in that one. November we go on the From the Mountain to the Beach, 5 spots available. And early next year - the Byron bay Locals Tour. 3 vacancies left on that one. Be a Byron local or a Byron lover and be good company.
Never been a better time to visit Sri Lanka.
Link in bio.

02/02/2023

Bawa’s Lighthouse Hotel just outside of Galle. We have two nights there in June.
Link in bio

01/02/2023

Inside Claughton House, Bawa’s excellent villa complex on the far south coast. We will visit on the www.bestofsrilanka.com

28/01/2023

YES! The Geoffrey Bawa Architecture Tour is happening in June 2023. This will be great! 🏝️🍹☀️🐚

20/03/2021

Looking forward to getting back to SL when travel is back. Who’s with me?
Live in bio # #