Kecak Dance - Truly Balinese, Truly Hypnotic

Introduction of the mythological story of Ramayana

The one experience that sums up all the drama and mystic of Bali is the Kecak dance. This is a live performance of a part of ‘Ramayana’ with key characters and another 30 men who do the chanting. The dance itself has it’s roots in an old Balinese ritual called the ‘Sanghyang’ which was a way to communicate with God through trance caused by repetitive chanting and performed during sacred ceremonies to ward off epidemics. No musical instruments are used, only the repetitive chanting in different ways - after a while you actually hear it as a background score and forget that this is ‘chanting’ with no instruments! The performance is about an hour long.

What makes this truly remarkable are a heady concoction of the below:

Sita and Rawan

The story: The dance is the depiction of a story - and the way it unfolds in the setting is part of the charm. The part performed from ‘Ramayana’ where Sita, Ram’s wife (Ram being the personification of Hindu God into an ideal man- King of Ayodhya) is taken away by Rawan, King of Lanka (Sri-Lanka) and how Hanuman finds her but ends up setting fire in Lanka. This is why you may also see this performance being called Kecak and fire dance. As the performance is an hour long, knowing the story makes it more enjoyable - the snapshot from Ramayana is which is the basis of the performance is provided below.

The vocal music and chanting performers

Location: There are lots of places where you can witness Kecak dance, but the best without doubt is the one at the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple - ‘Ulu’ means head and ‘Watu’ means rock, describes the position of the temple which stands on a cliff 200m above the Indian ocean. The kecak performance takes place in an amphitheatre looking out at the Indian ocean and the magnificent sunset that beautifully coincides with the part where Hanuman starts setting Lanka on fire creates a visual that is etched in your memory forever. In the day and age of smart phones, watching something like this on a cliff with a view of the ocean and under the open sky is an experience of a lifetime.

Hanuma introducing him to Sita and giving her Ram’s ring as a token

Drama: The chanting and the striking costumes add drama to this performance. Hanuman’s entry is one of the highlights and the character at Uluwatu is quite a character! Interacts with the audience without letting the authenticity of the story slip.

I was whispering my own narration to 4 year Oviyan so he made sense of what was happening. With thumb in his mouth and eyes wide open in fascination, he only opened his mouth once. This was the point when the chanting had stopped for a few seconds and the spectators sat in anticipation. At this very moment, the silence was broken by - ‘Will the queen be trapped in the castle now forever?’ There were bursts of laughter’s and all eyes at us! Within a split second Hunuman, the monkey God entered and gave a little hi-five to my monkey. But my monkey wasn’t expecting a big furry thing with a huge tail to show up unannounced and burst into tears! Anyway, this was quickly fixed and the show went on.

On our way out, we were asked by a lot of people how Oviyan understood the story - and this is why we want to share the story.

Hanuman starts setting Lanka on fire

Snapshot of the story performed during Kecak dance

A bit of context first - Ram with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman go into exile for 14 years in the forest to honour the promise his father made to one of his queens. During their exile, Rawan’s sister comes to woe Ram who doesn’t reciprocate her desires and therefore turns to his brother Lakshman who then chops off her nose. Humiliated and ‘mutilated’ she returns to Lanka. But Rawan then decides to avenge her, so orders of his associate Marich to take the form of a golden deer and lure Ram and Lakshman away.

This is where the performance starts - Sita sees the golden deer and asks Ram to get it for her. Ram senses a trap but who can win an argument with wife! He goes in pursuit of the deer and is lured further and further away. He finally shoots an arrow and the deer turns into a demon and cries out for help in Ram’s voice. Sita hears this asks Lakshman to go out and rescue Ram. Lakshman also senses the trap and tries to convince Sita that Ram is under no danger. But then upon Sita’s ‘orders’ leaves in search of Ram but before that he draws a circle around their ashram (home) with protective mantras and asks Sita not to step out of that under any circumstance.

Rawan's son Indrajit

Soon after he leaves Rawan shows up as a Bhikhshuk (Brahman/ priest who accept offerings including food in return for performing prayers and rituals). He tries to cross the line but cannot. He then calls out for Sita and asks for food. Sita asks him to stretch out his hand not wanting to cross the line, but Rawan tells that this is an insult to him as he should be invited and served food. He also says that he can ‘see’ that her husband is in trouble and he would curse them for this insult. Sita crosses the line in fear being cursed and as soon as she does Rawan reveals himself, kidnaps her and takes her to Lanka in a flying vehicle. (You can see the Sita temple if you visit Sri-Lanka, which is apparently the place where she was kept (Read our Blog on Sri Lanka here). Garuda, the vahana bird of Vishnu tries to save Sita but gets one of his wings chopped off by Rawan. He is then discovered by Ram and Lakshman and he tells them that Rawan took Sita in a southerly direction. (You will see references to Garuda in a lot of places in Bali and wooden sculptures of Garuda are carved by skilled Balinese artisans).

Indrajit capturing Hanuman

So Sita ends up in Lanka and to get her back, Ram travels south to Lanka. On the way he meets Hanuman, son of the God of wind and leader of the vanar sena (monkey army). He goes in search of Sita and manages to give her Ram’s ring as a token. However Rawan’s son attacks Hanuman and captures him, and they set his tail on fire, Hanuman escapes but sets the kingdom ablaze in the process.

Bali - Our Travel Diary

Traditional Balinese dance 'Barong Dance'

Duration: 5 days (December 2016)

Getting there: Ngurah Rai International Airport in Dempasar in Bali is well connected with all major cities of south-east Asian countries, Europe, Middle East and Australia through direct or one-stop flights. We flew Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) from Singapore – The KLM service that connects Amsterdam to Bali via one stop at Singapore.

When to go: Located few degrees to the south of equator, Bali has a tropical, hot and humid climate throughout the year which makes it a year round destination. However April to October is considered as the best months to travel due to low humidity and less rain. Therefore these months are also expected to be more crowded and accommodation prices tend to be higher. If you want to avoid this, shoulder months of November and December or February and March are also good options as the weather is still pleasant and with relatively less tourist inflow, the prices are not high. We went to Bali early December and found the weather perfectly suitable for a tropical holiday. We only encountered a tropical thundershower one day early morning which cleared out by the time we had breakfast.

What to buy: Balinese artisans create some stunning wood sculptures with intricate carvings and Balinese paintings are also noteworthy. There are numerous wood carving and painting workshops dotted across Bali but if you intend to take one home be ready for some serious haggling.

Staying Comfortable: Due to its hot and humid tropical climate shorts and light breathable tops are the best options. But you may be asked to cover up with a sarong if you visit temples etc. It always helps to carry a big scarf with you anywhere you travel though!

Our Itinerary:

Though Bali is a small island (stretching around 150 km by 80 km), getting around is not as quick as you would imagine, as the roads are narrow and traffic can be frustrating in the populated towns of the island such as Ubud, Nusa Dua, Kuta, Dempasar etc. So, deciding where to stay has a major impact on the quality of your trip to Bali. If you spend most of your time sitting in traffic, you will end up seeing much less and being more tired and grumpy- not what you want your Bali trip to be!

We made the mistake of staying at one location for our entire stay in Bali. Though this was a luxury hotel in Nusa Dua and we loved our stay there, it did make it difficult for us to travel to the attractions to the far north of the island. Therefore the smart thing to do it to move your location- so if you are in Bali for 4 to 5 days, then try to staying a couple of days in Kuta or Nusa Dua area and the next few days in a resort in Ubud area. If you are one of those that like to relax and rejuvenate before you head home, then staying in one of the resorts overlooking the rice fields in Ubud is a good idea.

Day 1: Arriving at Bali in the evening and check-into the hotel. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing in the hotel.

Day 2: Eastern part of the island

Legong and Barong dance at Catur Eka Budhi in Denpasar area: Start the day with Legong and Barong dance at Denpasar area. There are many places around Dempasar, Nusa Dua and Ubud area which host the Barong dance every day for tourists. We went to a place called Catur Eka Budhi in Dempasar which has an amphitheatre like seating in an old temple complex. Legong dance is a traditional dance which involves extensive facial expressions. Barong dance is one of the most famous traditional dances of Bali which depicts the eternal flight between the dragon like Barong (representing order, harmony and health) and his demonic counterpart Rangda (associated with chaos, sickness and harm). In real life also they are ‘awakened’ from time to time to restore the spiritual balance in the village. This is done through a battle ritual. It is believed that the magical power of Barong and Rangda is in their masks, therefore these are kept in village temples and given offerings.

Legong dance performance

Barong dance performance

Visit a painting workshop: Balinese painting has its own unique style. Most common themes are nature- bamboo trees and birds and various dance forms, mythological figures and story-telling. There are many privately owned painting workshops and galleries in Dempasar and Ubud area that you can visit. You can see the artists in these workshops engrossed in their work of art. Some of these workshops are housed in beautiful vintage buildings and we saw lovely backyard ponds teeming with colourful koi fish.

Traditional Balinese painting workshop

Tirta Empul Temple or Water Temple Complex: Famous for its holy water spring, Tirta Empul Temple or Water Temple Complex is a Hindu temple located near the town of Tampaksiring. Hindu devotees visit this temple for spiritual purification by taking a dip in the holy spring water. Within the temple complex there are a number of baths for purification. The fish ponds which get fed by the spring water are a thing to watch – an amazing array of stunning varieties of golden, orange and silver koi fish are on display. The architecture of the temple complex is typically Balinese and rustic. The entry fees to the temple is minimal but you also need to pay to rent a sarong if you turned up with bare legs on display!

spiritual purification pool of Tirta Empul Temple

Entrance to the Tirta Empul Temple

Coffee Luak experience: Coffee Luak is perhaps the most valuable commodity that is exported from Bali. Considered the most expensive coffee in the world, the process by which coffee Luak is prepared may put off some people. The beans are collected from the droppings of Indonesian palm civets which are known to pick and eat the best coffee fruits. The coffee beans come out in the dropping undigested. After a few rounds of rigorous washing and processing the coffee beans are roasted and ready to be grounded. There are many coffee luak farms in the central and eastern part of the island where the process of coffee making is shown followed by tasting season. Whether you chose to go for a tasting session, a trip to luak farm is something you shouldn’t miss.

Coffee testing at a coffee Luak farm

Roasting of coffee Luak beans

Lunch near mount Batur: Mount Batur is an active volcano located near the northern part of the island of Bali. Mount Batur makes for a perfect lunch stop and there many locations around with a view of the mountain. There are tour companies which organise half day trekking on mount Batur. We just opted for a relaxing lunch at a place that had some stunning views.

View of mount Batur from restaurant

Tegallalang Rice Terrace: One of the most ‘touristy’ yet worth visiting site in Bali. Bali is famous for its rice terraces on hilly central part of the island. The unique process of cutting the slope of a hill into steps and growing rice on that creates a stunning and picturesque landscape – a favourite with photographers. You can walk along the narrow lanes between the rice fields to get some amazing views. But this does require some stamina to tread the hilly landscape, so be reasonable about how much you want to walk if you are travelling with kids, or elderly people.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Day 3: Western and Northern Part of the Island

Tanah Lot temple: Start the day with a visit to this beach temple of Tanah Lot which is situated 20 kms from Denpasar towards the western side of the island. Located on a rock just by the beach the temple of Tanah Lot is a Hindu pilgrimage temple and a well-known tourist attraction of Bali. The 16th century temple of Tanha Lot was built for the sea God Bhatara Segara. There is a fresh water spring inside a cave in the temple area! This has contributed to the popularity of the place amongst the devotees. During high tide you will need to cross the knee deep water by foot for over 100 meters to reach the temple. The entrance to the temple is quite a walk from the car park. You will have to walk through a market buzzing with souvenir shops and street food. The place is unique as most people do not associate beaches with temples, so this an experience in itself.

Tanah Lot temple

Ulun Danu Temple: Located on the shores of Lake (danu) Bratan in the northern region of the island, the temple complex of Ulun Danu is mainly devoted to the God Shiva. The temple seems to float on the water and with the amazing Bedugul mountains circling it and misty clouds make this dreamy and unreal! If you haven’t looked up all the Instagram pics before coming, you probably wouldn’t expect to see a lake at this altitude, and a ‘floating temple’ on that! This is also one of those places which you would want to soak in… so factor in some time for that! Walk around the temple complex and just sit down and enjoy the stunning out of the world views!

Ulun Danu temple and lake Bratan

At Ulun Danu temple complex

Jatiluwih Rice Terrace: Located on the central-western part of the island, this vastly spread rice terrace is located on the slopes of Batukaru mountain range. Most tourists only visit Tegallalang rice terrace. Though in our opinion Jatiluwih rice terrace is equally beautiful, but less touristy. The sprawling fields require half or full day trip on different trekking routes and you can choose what works for your time and energy levels... We opted for an ‘easy’ trekking route as we didn’t fancy carrying a 3-year old on our way back! It took us about 2 hours to complete the walk around the fields on mostly flat routes.

Picturesque Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Hervesting at Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Day 4: South central and South part of the island

Ubud art market and Ubud palace: Start the day with a trip to the Ubud art market located in the heart of Ubud town. The art market houses hundreds of shops selling wood carvings, paintings, artifacts, clothes, handbags, food etc. It is quite a vibrant place and makes for a nice leisurely walk. If you proficient in haggling, this is your place! If are not- give it a go! Balinese people are usually kind and soft spoken and haggling is common like most of south east Asia. Ubud palace is a historical building which is located near Ubud art market which also has a temple in the same compound. This simple yet beautiful building is also the official residence of the Ubud royal family. This palace hosts traditional Balinese dance performances in the evening. Sometimes there are free performances during the day. If you are keen on history, it is worth taking a good guide with you.

Entrance to Ubud palace

Ubud monkey forest: Located just outside the town of Ubud, this place is home to around 700 long tailed Balinese monkeys. This lush green forest boasts of a wide variety of trees. As is typical of Bali, there are three beautiful temples inside the monkey forest which are well known for their architecture. Before visiting the monkey forest I read a lot about the aggressive resident monkeys and how many visitors were attacked by monkeys as they try to snatch food items. As we were travelling with a little boy I decided to leave my camera and mobile in the car as I didn’t want to take a chance and end up with a damaged camera. It is sensible to not have anything in your hand, as monkey behaviour is quite unpredictable!

Wood carving workshop: From Ubud to Jimbaran we stopped at a wood carving workshop. You can see artisans at work and also have a good look around in the shop. They display everything from miniature figurines to intricately carved furniture sets. If you are serious about buying, do some research before you go so have some clarity on what you want to buy and how much you want to pay. As is always with such places, you need to make some quick decisions to avoid feeling ripped off. A lot of these workshops can also arrange to ship overseas if you are buying a bigger piece.

Wood curving of Bali (Garuda)

Jimbaran fish market: Located near Kedonganan beach, the Jimbaran area is famous for its many sea food restaurants, which come alive in the evening and buzz with tourists. The fish market itself is located at the end of a long stretch of road by the sea beach. The market is open every day from 6am to 3pm. You can find fresh daily catch and most of these also supply fish and seafood to the popular restaurants. There are two options to eat- either head to a proper restaurant or do what we did- wander through the market and buy what you want to eat- then give these to one of the local shops who can grill these for you and serve it with rice and sambal.

Freshly grilled fish and seafood outside Jimbaran market

Grilled seafood from Jimbaran fish market

Uluwatu temple and Kechak dance: After a relaxing lunch at Jimbaran fish market we headed towards the Uluwatu temple at the southern tip of the island. The temple is built on the edge of a high cliff protruding into the Indian Ocean. The temple is also hugely popular for its Kecak dance performance in the amphitheatre at sunset. Kecak dance is undoubtedly the most famous dance form of Bali and has become symbolic of Bali and something of a life time experience. Read here about our experience of Kecak dance.

The vocal music and chanting performers

Kechak dance performance

Day 5: South Part of the Island and a trip to the east of the island

Water Blow Nusa Dua: After breakfast and checking out of the hotel we headed towards the water blow in Nusa Dua which was very close to where we were staying. Water Blow Nusa Dua Bali is right behind of the Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua Resort Located at the edge of the peninsula Nusa Dua, this is a rocky cliff created by volcanic rock formation. When the ocean hits the costline, water runs though the rock channels and shoots up in the air creating a splash. The observation deck is a raised wooden platform over the jagged rock formations which allow visitors to watch the water gushing out.

Tip: Be prepared for a good 15 minute walk from the car park to the observation deck

Water Blow at Nusa Dua beach

Padang Padang beach: Tucked away in the southern part this little hidden gem was brought to the limelight by Julia Roberts’s ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. Roughly 5 minute walk from the car park and down some stiff stairs and through a hollow rock, this small beach is popular among surfers as well as families. It’s a nice little place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Living up to the true Bali style of unexpected sights- you may get greeted by monkeys or pop up shacks that offer massage! Sadly we do not have photos from this day as the camera was out of battery- a rare occurrence.

Padang Padang beach

Besakih temple: After an early lunch we headed towards the east part of the island. Pura Besakh is a grand complex of 22 temples, spread over 3 sq. km on the slopes of Gunung Agung. This temple complex is considered as the holiest and largest temple complex in Bali and is believed to have been built in the 8th century. The complex consists of a terraced entrance with stairs (used only by worshippers), a main courtyard, inner courtyards, ‘merus’ and wrapped by low walls. The whole set up and (meru) towers are shrines with a wooden pagoda-like structure with a masonry base, a wooden chamber and multi-tiered thatched roofs. Meru towers are usually dedicated to either gods, ancestral spirits or deified Kings. Merus can have 3 to 11 tiers of thatched roofs - 11 tier tower is dedicated to Gods – Shiv and Parvati while 3 three-tiered meru tower is usually dedicated to a deified ancestor. Ideally a full day should be spent here to explore the area and appreciate its beauty. As we had to catch our flight back to Singapore in the late evening we only managed a glimpse of this magnificent temple complex before we travelled back to Kuta area.

Bali Bakery Kuta: On the way to the airport, we stopped at Bali Bakery in Kuta on recommendation of our driver Bhima. Established during early 90s, Bali Bakery is quite well known and severs a delectable range of cakes and pastries. It has a large comfortable seating area where we spent an hour eating cakes and drinking coffee before heading back to the airport.

Delicious pastry and cakes from Bali Bakery Kuta

10 Experiences You Should Not Miss Out While In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a fascinating country full of natural beauty, historical architecture, culture and amazing food. There is a huge range of things to do, see and experience. Here is our pick of the 10 best experiences you should not miss out while in Sri Lanka:

View of the forest at sunrise from the tree house at Dehigaha Ela

1. Staying in a Tree house at Back of Beyond:

Back of Beyond is a privately run company specialised in eco-lodging. They run beautiful eco lodges in five different locations in the lap of nature around Sri Lanka. We stayed in one of their most unique retreat located in Dehigaha Ela. Located deep inside the forest around 45 minutes drive from Sigiriya this property only has handful of treehouses and a rock pool of Dehigaha Ela stream - which is an all-natural fish spa. Our stay at Dehigana Ela was an unforgettable experience for us and our little traveller as not only were we in the most natural surroundings possible - but also without any internet or modern technology.

Tip: It is useful to know that you will need to leave the car at a pre-arranged location-a small village near Sigiriya and from there you get picked by the Back and Beyond Vehicle, a 4X4 as the dirt road leading through forest is not suitable for any other type of vehicles. So you need to call the lodge when near Sigiriya. Also bear in mind that picks up are not done after sunset as wild elephants often stroll in the area leading to the lodge. Read in here about our experience of staying in Dehigaha Ela tree house retreat in more detail.

Jungle camp at Yala National Park

2. Staying in a jungle camp in one of Sri Lanka’s national park:

There are many beautiful national parks around Sri Lanka, teeming with wildlife-elephants, leopards, water buffalo, deer etc. to name a few. Around most of these national parks in small towns there are many lodges that host travellers. However we chose to stay in a jungle camp at the edge of Yala national park. Staying inside a real canvas jungle tent in the midst of nature and wildlife, made our experience special. And staying overnight in such tented camp in the jungle takes the morning and evening safari from ordinary to extraordinary! Add to that atmosphere created when darkness engulfs the surroundings, and the sounds of insects become the music and the flickering lantern adds to the drama. You also get to eat under the open sky and around a bonfire. Read here about our jungle camp experience and our encounter with illusive Yala leopard.

 Sri Lankan cultural dance - Kandy Traditional Dance

3. Kandy traditional Dance performance:

Sri Lanka has a long history of rich heritage and culture and the Kandyan dance is a testimony to that. The rhythmic and acrobatic performance by dancers in striking costumes is a feast to the senses. Even our 5 year old travel companion sat through the entire performance! There are many companies that run regular evening shows in Kandy, though most are similar in terms of the types of dance performances they stage.

Tip: Try to book your seats in advance as in most places the first 2 to 3 rows with the best views do get booked early. Read here about our itinerary and what to see in Kandy.

Releasing baby turtle back in the ocean at sunset, Galle

4. Releasing Turtles in the sea:

Sri Lanka is home to 5 species of sea turtles and throughout the south costal part of Sri Lanka many local rescue and hatchery centres are present that work with non-profit organisations to carry out vital conservation work. These centres not only rescue injured turtles, but also collect sea turtle eggs to give them some chance to hatch into baby turtles before they get stolen or eaten. You can pay a small amount (we got 10 baby turtles for £10) to ‘buy’ baby turtles and then release them back into the sea at sunset. The timing of this makes it very special - watching the babies disappear into the vastness of the ocean while the sun sets. Our trip to one such hatchery near Galle in the evening just before sunset has since been on our little one’s top 5 experiences list. It always brings a smile on his face.

Essential and staple Sri Lankan food - Rice and Curry

5. Eating rice and curry:

Rice and curry is undisputedly the ‘national dish’ of Sri Lanka. It is everywhere - from humble kitchens at homes to fancy restaurants. Rice is served with three to five curry dishes (vegetable curries, chicken and fish/seafood curry), poppadum and sambal make it a nutritionally well-balanced meal. During our stay in Sri Lanka we ate rice and curry left right and centre, but due to the variety of the curries and wholesomeness of this dish, it didn’t really feel repetitive. On the contrary we enjoyed the difference in each meal. Read here for more on rice and curry and many other Sri Lankan dishes that we tried.

Sunset point at Galle fort area

6. Spending an evening in the Galle fort area:

Built in the 16th century by Portuguese and then fortified by the Dutch during 17th century, Galle fort area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort area which is inhabited by locals also houses many boutique shops and restaurants ranging from expensive fine dining to rustic rice and curry restaurants. The atmosphere during the evening is quite relaxing as the cool breeze from the sea fills the air. A stroll through the small streets to soak in the atmosphere sets you into the mood for a nice dinner. A lot of restaurants offer outdoor seating, but a good meal at a tiny shack is also an experience in its own right.

One of the many 150 spectacular Buddha statues

7. Dambulla Cave Temple:

Sri Lanka is home to many iconic historical landmarks and architecture like the Sigiriya rock, Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, old city of Anuradhapura and others. If we had to choose one, it would definitely be the Dambulla cave temple. Situated on a top of a hill near the town of Dambulla, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest and best preserved cave temple complexes which houses around 150 spectacular Buddha statues spread across 5 caves. The walls of the caves are adorned with spectacular paintings that have been made over hundreds of years. These have been well preserved and thoughtfully restored over the years. We highly recommend a visit during early morning or late afternoon to beat the crowd and better appreciate the beauty of this place.

The scenic ride through tea gardens from Haputale to Ella

8. Take a train ride from Haputale to Ella or beyond:

The rail network system that was built during the British colonial times criss-crosses the length and breadth of the country. Among the many rail routes the most notable and famous one is the scenic train ride from Kandy to Haputale through the central hills of Sri Lankan tea growing countryside. This train journey from Kandy to Haputale is considered to be one of the top 10 most scenic train journeys in the world. If you have time you can enjoy the entire route between Kandy to Haputale during your travels, but if you are stretched for time, you can opt for ride en-route Haputale to Ella - as this bit of the Kandy – Haputale journey is considered to be the most spectacular. This 90 minute leg takes you through some beautiful tea growing mountainous landscapes. We took this shorter route of Haputale to Ella during our stay in the town of Ella. We drove to the town of Haputale to catch the afternoon train that then brought us back to Ella by 5 pm in the evening.

Tip: Check the train time table with local station in advance as the trains on this route mostly run way outside the schedule on the timetable.

Tea tasting season at Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, Ella

9. Visiting a tea factory and tea garden:

Cylon tea is considered as one of the best tea in the world. Introduced by the British, the tea gardens of Sri Lanka continue to make a big contribution to the country’s economy and attract many tourists for tours and tasting sessions. There are many tea factories spread around the central hills of Sri Lanka, some of which offer in-depth insight into the process of tea making, while others are more ‘touristic’. We opted for Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory near Ella which was most likely a lesser known place because of the limited number of people. The factory was packed with colonial charm, and the landscape and breeze added to the experience. We toured at a relaxed place guided by a very knowledgeable and passionate person who explained in detail every steps of the tea making process. The tour ended up with tasting season with various types of teas on offer. Our little explorer was fascinated much to our surprise and was the most enthusiastic taster in the room!

Tip: Do your research if the tour is what you wish to do. We visited more than one factory and from our experience we can say it’s best to avoid the big and famous ones as they tend to be too crowded and commercialised.

Open air bar on the beach by Vijaya road, Tangalle

10. Spending an evening in the open air bars on Vijaya road in Tangalle:

Vijaya road, the most famous area of the Tangalle area is located just next to the sea beach. This small road runs across the sea beach and houses many open air bars and restaurants along its way. This area is very famous among the backpackers due to cheap accommodation and very easy access to the beach. After sunset the bars come to life, with lit up outdoor seating and Reggae music!