From Hikkaduwa: A Review of Galle, Unawatuna & Yala Safari

Okay, so you’re thinking of springing for that tour from Hikkaduwa that swings through Galle, chills out in Unawatuna, gets your wildlife fix at Yala Safari, and maybe even nabs a peek at Talpe, right? It’s almost like, well, everyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka stumbles across a dozen similar itineraries. But what’s it really like? That’s very what I’m going to lay out for you here. That’s because I went on this very adventure. Forget the polished brochures, very get ready for a peek behind the tourist curtain.

Galle Fort: A Step Back in Time, Sort Of

Galle Fort, right? You’ve likely seen pictures: charming cobblestone streets, historical buildings from the Dutch colonial days, that kind of stuff. What’s it like being there? That atmosphere is certainly thick, too, it’s true. Picture walking around this old walled city, very soaking in that old-world charm. You get to see the lighthouse, that’s something to look for! But also, Galle is seriously touristy. I’m saying the cobblestone streets, so, they are also packed with shops very selling everything from batik clothing to what could be real gems. Hagglers welcome, probably, yeah. What is also there? There is some genuinely interesting history, sure, and your tour guide might rattle off dates and names about Dutch colonizers and battles with the Portuguese (there’s always some battling involved, is that just me? Very, very much I wonder…). If history really makes you tick, and you want a deep connection? I’d suggest researching Galle Fort’s history before, or getting a tour just dedicated to its story.

I almost thought it was great seeing the locals mix right in with the tourists. Young guys played cricket right out in the square. Monks very strolled about in orange robes. It’s, like, that everyday Sri Lankan vibe, yeah, but that also the middle of what could feel a historical theme park. Anyway it wasn’t some sanitized, soulless historical zone, too, It actually felt like a vibrant place. Just full of people. Be prepared, I guess, for all those crowds when you’re making time. This place may or may not blow your mind with authenticity, depending on, like, your expectations. Still, Galle is definitely a great morning outing.

Unawatuna: Beach Bliss, Possibly Too Much?

So, Unawatuna, a.k.a. postcard-perfect beach town. That, for all accounts, is pretty amazing with golden sand, that beautiful turquoise water, and palm trees just doing their palm tree thing. That being all said, if I may be very upfront, it really can be crowded. Now if you were after secluded, peaceful bliss? Then it’s just that, this might be the wrong place to look for it. If your happy place is right in the heart of people with action, then right, then this would just be just the best place!

Like, I kind of wanted to picture myself just lounging on a beach chair with a good book, but very then, in reality, that seemed hard when there were, kids are around running and playing, very some vendors peddling sarongs, and a beach shack is right by there pumping out reggae tunes. A little overwhelming if, say, you wanted to zen out. Did I still dip in the ocean? Right I did, but I just enjoyed the beach a bit more up the shoreline as there were fewer people.

There really is also, more or less, plenty to do besides sunbathing, which is a plus, certainly. A little snorkeling, surfing, or some diving. Many restaurants right on the beach very that, sure, will give you those sunset views. Is that fresh seafood great or just tourist-grade grub? Very maybe a bit of both, actually! Depends on what to you. Either way, right? You don’t expect Michelin stars in Unawatuna. I would mention this beach town just, you know, balances that natural beauty with some tourist buzz that just seems lively. As long as you set yourself up with a state of mind to embrace what will happen, so it could very be good.

Talpe: Blink and You’ll Miss It

Talpe might or might not, in a way, be even part of your tour, really, that will depend on what package, alright, you have gone for. A little place just south of Unawatuna, kind of almost like a little sister, I find. Honestly, right, so, a lot of tours really will simply breeze right past Talpe. Though that is to say, and, right, should your tour even pause in Talpe? You would just expect some of Sri Lanka’s poshest digs.

What, really, should you get out of Talpe? What the location, arguably, boasts are calmer, a bit more remote stretches of coastline, which would almost make for an appeal if the very chaotic beaches really were that just overload. If you should get a moment here, for sure. So be aware that time could go fast when taking snaps of ocean backdrops for Insta before going away! You can probably scratch this place from your itinerary, though, it might be a minor blip of a location.

Yala Safari: A Wildlife Gamble That Usually Pays Off

Yala, I’m saying, that main event. A big draw of Sri Lanka, full stop. But here is, that truth to be told. Spotting wildlife isn’t so a sure thing. You should hear from others that it will be. Yala happens to be one of those locations, right, you will be riding, just bouncing around some jeep very, very, with eyes that scan for that slippery leopard. What is great! When your right at it.

That’s the game when, you, at least, hit the prime spotting window? That would probably be dawn or dusk when it may just be that they come out. But the animals don’t work on a schedule. Be just forewarned, just a little. Be very willing just a little to feel, should hours pass that right all one sees be it, very birds. Also, many other jeeps is that they may or may not just rumble along and jostle. Anyway it is still part of the adventure that may or may not test ones level of patience.

Very all just things aside, seeing something just totally beautiful on the natural plane should always get someone amazed at what there is. During one instance, actually, right, so a young bull elephant wandered a way too close to the path and really almost got the whole jeep shaken! Then there were peacocks which, I believe, posed around like natural divas in nature. So it can happen like that. I was saying, when something wonderful happens and you see something great, Yala right there delivers something like a jolt that reminds you something like seeing a location that isn’t home feels like, right?

Planning Your Trip: Some Tips

So, you ready? I almost want you to go already. Then listen to just these quick nuggets.

• Book wisely: Tour operators exist in all price areas, like from very very affordable right through exclusive. Shop around and check a few ratings.
• Comfort is nice: You will get bumpy right from safari. You have some comfy outfits with closed shoes you feel ok wearing!
• Pack essentials: Some sunscreen, bug repellent, maybe a cool sunhat, should come to mind. Think of what the local weather has been like there beforehand to.
• Be patient: Sometimes plans, arguably, can fall through right due the location that very does this, what I could almost refer to being “Sri Lanka time”. So what ever does arise just try rolling that with ease and smiles!
• Haggle with spirit: Expect that with local marketplaces people there really just are able and likely expect the ability negotiate that costs right some places. What could just become one heck a challenge almost feels almost fun actually as just you see people get very friendly together at marketplace and what not.

Is the ‘Hikkaduwa – Galle – Unawatuna – Yala’ Trip Worth It?

Basically it does. That circle brings some experiences like one goes right back that make Sri Lanka special. In just very one swoop of an activity this adventure blends ancient cultures what comes as Yala with an authentic moment in time where wild lives roam, with so a little bit of coast with a really great view thrown. You will find this is a well packed little package trip almost everyone will go for. Prepare very almost a few ups that also maybe a very couple down things and then embrace with happiness all there what the tropical, far located side with culture, wildlife can add to someone who ventures.

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