Family Holiday destination
Sri Lanka has always been a dream holiday destination – endless miles of golden beaches, azure blue seas and a myriad of green – stretching as far as the eye can see in the verdant hill country. Ancient monuments whisper of a mystical, magical time gone by, whilst vast herds of elephant and elusive lone leopard roam the national parks.
I was 7 years old when I fell in love with this beautiful land, which sadly, in recent years, has been beset with troubles: but nothing stopped me visiting time and time again. Thankfully, peace has slowly returned and no-go areas reopened to tourism, including one of my very favourite places on the island – the magnificent natural harbour of Trincomalee, affectionately called Trinco. Tourism is still regenerating and the area is relatively undeveloped – you really can get far away from the maddening crowd.
Local hotels are simple but delightful. I stayed at the Nilaveli Beach Hotel and found my paradise! The bar is a step away from the beach, the pool, so cool and refreshing right next door. Hot salted cashews and a Lion beer became the order of the evening. The ensuite rooms were uncomplicated – roomy and bright – sea front, beach ground floor rooms are the best, although my upstairs room, with terrace, in the main block, had stunning pool and beach views. The food was amazing – not all hot and spicy – but with a good selection of local and international fare – try the seafood: to die for!
Indeed it’s a perfect family location: endless blindly white sand beaches are fringed with palms, murmuring in the cool morning breeze. Small off shore islands provide the perfect ‘desert islands’ just wonderful for kids to explore and play at Pirates, and enough ‘culture’ close by to give them a taste of a different country.
The soft white sandy beach goes on for miles, and the warm sea simply cannot be missed for a refreshing dip (although care has to be taken as the currents are quite strong). A few steps down the beach gaily painted boats fishing boats are hauled up high on the shore, providing a shady resting place for the fishermen mending nets.
For grown up’s it’s not a place to go if you want pulsating entertainment every night, pub/club atmosphere or disco mania. It’s a place to relax, savour, enjoy – and chill out.
There are things to do:– the hotel has a PADI diving school with fully qualified instructors. Boat trips can be taken to the offshore Pigeon Islands and Whale watching is also slowly beginning again. Colonial history can be found throughout Sri Lanka and Trinco is no exception – for example: the mighty fortifications of Fort Frederick – once fought over by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Don’t miss ‘Lovers Leap’ where a heartbroken Dutch girl threw herself into the sea as her feckless love sailed away! Visits can be arranged to explore this fascinating heritage. Local colour can be seen at the Tirukonesvaram Kovil Temple and visitors watch the daily ceremonies take place. The old town is great for wandering around hunting for souvenirs: shirts, kaftans and tee’s were excellent value.
Tour extensions can easily be added with a few days exploring the intriguing past glory of the island including Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya before returning home.
FACT BOX
Flights: www.emirates.com/english/
Tour Operator: www.industours.co.uk
Sri Lanka info: www.srilankatourism.org/
Nilaveli: www.tangerinehotels.com/nilavelibeach/