Going, Going, Galle

We’ve shared with you the traditions and excitement around the Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore and the region. What you may not know is the Chinese New Year Holiday is the longest break on the Singapore public holiday schedule. I think we all can agree when you get four consecutive days off of work you take it and go on vacation (or ‘holiday’ as they say around here. So British! ;))  

We had heard from a well-traveled fellow expat that Sri Lanka had some of the prettiest beaches around so we rounded up our friends Christopher Blaine* and Anne Antioch* for a trip of a lifetime. 

You might ask yourself where is Sri Lanka? It’s off of the southeast tip of India. - Google Maps

Seeing that it was the Chinese New Year holiday and we didn’t book until after Christmas, it was a challenge finding a place to stay. (Note to the Singapore Expats out there…book all holidays early!) Anne and I finally nailed down a great villa though Olanda Villas (who were great!) inside the Fort. We of course had no idea what to expect minus the fact that we had a place to stay, it came with a chef and that Sri Lankan food is yummy. 

After a 3.5 hour flight and almost an equally long drive, we still weren’t sure what to expect as we drove through the Fort’s gates at 3 am onto deserted streets. It wasn’t until a morning stroll the next day I realised that yes we were actually staying inside Fort Galle, just a few minute walk from the water. 

The next few days were spent enjoying breakfast on the patio and wondering around the Fort and enjoying leisurely, amazing dinners at the house. We all particularly enjoyed watching the sunset from the walls of the Fort and another night from the Lighthouse Restaurant. 

We spent a day at Wijaya Beach Restaurant in Unawatuna Beach which is a 20 minute tuk tuk ride from the Fort. Driving in Galle is chaotic but somehow everyone manages and the time on a gorgeous beach makes it all worth it. 

The people of Sri Lanka were so friendly, the food was great and everything was affordable which was a nice break from the prices in Singapore. If you ever make it to Galle, I would highly recommend you shop at Paradise Road in Columbo, have a drink on the patio of the Jetwing Lighthouse, visit Fort Galle, Wijaya Beach Restaurant and Unawatuna Beach and go for a crazy ride in a tuk tuk. On top of that, make sure you bring two of your favourite expat friends to enjoy the experience with.

Happy Trails, 

Amy & Raegen 

*Yes it's true- while their names sound like movie star names....they're not real. Protecting the innocent. That's how we roll.