Maldives and Sri Lankra - any thoughts?

[Jaguar steve]

SWMBO and I are planning somthing a bit different than our usual fortnight in the Spanish sunshine evey now and then to celebrate our 25 wedding aniv.

Thinking about a combined Maldives and Sri Lanka trip, but that's so far out from our usual comfort zone some advice would be good - like where to stay, when to go, what to see and do. We both like the idea of excursions and seeing a little of the country and culture rather than slobbing on the beach.

So, what's and where's recommended and what's to avoid? Any travel agents or companies who do it better? Is it worth the money (and the jetlag - I know I'm a complete arse when suffering)?

Thinking about Feb/March, Budget is good quality accomadation and food rather than shoestring.

Over to you chaps

[Hugo a Gogo]

Sri Lanka has lots to see, temples, elephant orphanage, Sigiriya (big rock in the jungle - better than it sounds)

you can just get a local taxi driver (hiace style minbuses) to take you to any of these places, they all know the drill

get someone else from your hotel to join in to split costs

[Daisy Duke]

Hugo a Gogo said:

Sri Lanka has lots to see, temples, elephant orphanage, Sigiriya (big rock in the jungle - better than it sounds)

you can just get a local taxi driver (hiace style minbuses) to take you to any of these places, they all know the drill

Yes I agree there's quite a lot to do and it's certainly worth a trip to the Hill Country. Particular highlights for me were the elephant orphanage, the tea plantations and releasing turtles back into the sea.

I'd also recommend hiring a local driver too, not only will you get to see more of the country, including places off the beaten track, but you'll get far less hassle that way. If you travel by yourselves you'll be constantly propositioned for money, either directly or with offers to take you to their uncle's gem shop etc. It's not done aggressively but it can get rather annoying as they simply won't leave you alone even when you've made it perfectly clear you're not interested, but perhaps I just prefer the more 'upfront' approach of the Middle Eastern countries.

I'd say it's actually pretty good value (particularly for mid range budgets) compared to other long haul destinations. Feb/March is also a good time to go as it's in their dry season. However, you will find it a very different experience to a holiday in Spain and you may find the flight rather long at approx 11-12 hours. Although at least you're unlikely to have the added excitement that we had when the Tamil Tigers tried to blow up our plane.

[-Z-]

Our honeymoon was in both. In Sri Lanka as said Sigiriya is great, we stayed at the Elephant Corridor Hotel which was fantastic, with good views of 'the rock'. You get your own villa with room service and indoor pool.

Also the wildlife in the villa's back gardens was good, especially fun was naively giving evils to a big monkey 200m away only to discover that:

a) they can run towards you *very* fast
&
b) they will spend quite a long time sitting on the roof of your villa waiting for you to come out.


In the Maldives we stayed at Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, which was perfect.

[R6dug]

The Maldives is an excellent place. Try to go to an island where you have aeroplane taxi. Take your own snorkeling gear.I have been twice and loved both times.

[Gargamel]

Maldives is NOTHING but slobbing on the beach, these are tiny coral islands.

Beautiful place to go but it is a beach holiday all the way.

Rangali Hilton gets my vote. Don't bother trying to explore, they don't allow the tourists onto the local islands (except one or two 'show' villages)

I loved it there though.

[Dav_s]

Island Hideaway in the Maldives was paradise!!
Well worth considering

[Zod]

Gargamel said:

Maldives is NOTHING but slobbing on the beach, these are tiny coral islands.

Never heard of diving?

[Gargamel]

I was responding to the OP - who was looking for some culture and sightseeing. Not a Diving holiday.

Maldives is nothing but slobbing on the beach - unless you have a rubber/neoprene fetish in which case its pretty much the place to go.