I had been thinking about this trip for a long time.
As a married person, it’s not always easy to step out of your comfort zone and travel alone. Leaving behind your partner, your routine, and everything familiar isn’t simple.
But I wanted to do this.
Not just to travel—but to connect, explore, and experience life differently.
So I booked a one-way ticket from Delhi to Colombo (₹17,000), and on 25th June 2025, I landed in Sri Lanka around 9 PM.
First Lesson: SIM Cards & First Impressions
After landing, I got a Mobitel SIM based on a fellow traveler’s suggestion.
Honestly—bad decision.
The network was weak almost everywhere. From my experience, Dialog is a much better option in Sri Lanka.
Outside the airport, I tried booking a tuk-tuk but quickly realized they don’t come right outside. After a few failed attempts on the PickMe app, I finally got a taxi.
I was tired, thirsty, and slightly frustrated.
Then something small—but meaningful—happened.
The driver stopped and bought me a bottle of water.
That was my first glimpse of Sri Lankan hospitality.
And it stayed consistent throughout the trip.
Midnight Kindness in Negombo
I reached my hostel in Negombo around 12:30 AM—hungry and exhausted.
The kitchen was closed. No food. Nothing.
Then one staff member came up and said:
“You can share my dinner.”
That moment stayed with me.
I sat with the staff and a security uncle, had fried chicken rice, talked a bit, and went to sleep.
Simple. Genuine. Human.
Slow Living & Solo Travel Vibes
I stayed in Negombo for 5–6 days.
My routine was simple:
- Morning coffee at a café
- Work and relax at the hostel
- Swimming in the afternoon
- Evening walks by the seaside
- Random conversations with strangers
That’s the beauty of solo travel.
You become more open. You talk more. You listen more.
And you learn—not from places, but from people.
Sigiriya: Elephants, Full Moon & Jungle Living
I met a few travelers heading to Sigiriya, so we shared a taxi.
Our driver was amazing:
- Stopped for a buffet (~₹600)
- Told us it was Buddha Purnima
- Showed us places where locals were offering free food and tea
Then came a surprise.
“Do you want to see wild elephants?”
We said yes.
And there they were—huge, calm, walking freely in nature.
A pure “wow” moment.
A Hidden Jungle Stay
Our stay in Sigiriya was unbelievable.
It wasn’t a hostel—it felt like a jungle resort:
- Treehouses
- Swimming pool
- Surrounded by nature
All for around ₹1600/night with breakfast.
I stayed there for a week.
Met people from all over the world. One of them, Phoebe, had been living there for months and felt like a local.
Days were filled with:
- Swimming
- Exploring
- Deep conversations
- Sunset trips (organized daily)
I also did:
- Pidurangala Rock sunrise hike
- Lion Rock hike
- Visited a national park and saw a group of elephants
Leaving Was Hard
I didn’t want to leave.
But travel moves on.
On my last night, we had a small party. Drinks, music, conversations.
The next morning, slightly hungover—I left for Kandy.
Kandy: Culture, Views… and a Mistake
Kandy was beautiful.
I explored:
- Royal Palace
- Temple of the Tooth Relic
Found good Indian food at Balaji Dosai.
In the evening, I went to a lakeside British-style pub and had a gin and tonic.
Honestly—
that drink made things worse.
I started feeling sick and went back to the hostel.
That night, I met a Danish traveler with his daughter.
He asked:
“We’re going to Nuwara Eliya tomorrow—want to join?”
I said yes.
The Journey That Changed Everything
We left at 8 AM from Kandy.
I even took a cold shower that morning.
Within an hour:
- Heavy coughing
- Fever
- Weakness
My health was going downhill fast.
Still, the Road Was Beautiful
Our driver once again helped:
- Stopped at a medical store
- Helped me get medicines
We continued the journey.
Stopped at Ramboda Waterfall—beautiful and peaceful.
Visited a tea factory, where we learned about tea processing and tasted different varieties. I bought some Kandy Night Tea for home.
Despite feeling sick, I could see how beautiful the route was.
Nuwara Eliya: When Travel Stops Being Easy
The driver dropped me at a homestay hosted by a kind Buddhist man.
This time, I chose a private room.
I knew I needed rest.
That night:
- Fever increased
- Body felt cold and weak
I ordered:
- Dal
- Chicken curry
- Chapati
But I could barely eat.
Missing Home
That night was difficult.
Because when you’re sick in another country—
you miss home differently.
I missed my wife.
That comfort. That care.
No place can replace that.
Survival Days
Next 3 days:
- Fruits in the morning
- Soup or tea in evening
- Almost no solid food
I didn’t go anywhere.
Just rested.
Waited to feel better.
But I didn’t.
A Tough Decision
After 3 days, I made a call.
I booked my return ticket.
I had to end the trip early.
It wasn’t easy.
But it was necessary.
Trying One Last Time
I had 2 days left.
So I explored a little:
- Sita Temple
- Small town areas of Nuwara Eliya
- Lakes and surroundings
I couldn’t do the famous train ride.
And I missed:
- Arugam Bay (surfing plan)
- Mirissa Beach
- South coast
- Swimming with turtles
That part still hurts.
Back to Colombo
I took a bus:
- Nuwara Eliya → Kandy → Colombo
- ~8 hours journey
In Colombo, I stayed near Galle Face.
A Quiet Ending
Even in bad health, I went out:
- Walked along Galle Face Beach
- Watched the skyline
- Had fruit juice at a beach shack
Met travelers:
- A guy from Mumbai who gave me Strepsils
- A traveler from Afghanistan with deep stories about his country
Travel connects you in unexpected ways.
The End of the Journey
Next morning, even walking felt difficult.
I knew—it was time.
My flight was at 6 PM.
I reached the airport and flew back to Delhi.
Home
Outside the airport, my car was waiting.
It had come 250 km from home—with my driver and father-in-law.
I sat inside.
And felt it.
Home.
He gave me oranges with salt.
After 3 days of barely eating—
That taste felt incredible.
Recovery & Realization
It took me 10 days to recover fully.
But this trip gave me more than just travel memories.
What I Learned
- People are kinder than you think
- Solo travel changes how you see the world
- Plans don’t matter as much as experiences
- Health is everything
- And no matter where you go—
Home will always feel different
Final Thought
I didn’t complete my Sri Lanka journey.
But I experienced it.
And I’ll be back—
for the waves, the beaches, and the unfinished story.
