Sri Lanka, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Indian Ocean, bordered by the Bay of Bengal to the north and the Arabian Sea to the west. Historically, it was a colony of Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain. Due to its geographical location, Sri Lanka has also been deeply influenced by Indian culture, with numerous Buddhist structures throughout the country, especially in the capital, Colombo.
Visa Information
To visit Sri Lanka, you must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to entry. The standard tourist visa fee is 20 USD. For details, please refer to: www.eta.gov.lk
Attractions & Transportation
Sri Lanka is geographically vast, with attractions scattered across different cities. The most economical way to travel is by train. For example, a second-class ticket from Colombo to Kandy costs only 190 LKR. Aside from Express Rail, regular trains do not offer online booking, but you can check the train schedule here: http://www.railway.gov.lk/ . For local transportation, Colombo has Uber services, which we found to be cheaper than local taxis or tuk-tuks. For those who prefer taxis, Kangaroo Cabs is a convenient option.
More attractions in Sri Lanka: http://www.dcfever.com/travel/sightseeing.php?id=1019
Flights
There are not many flight options from Hong Kong to Sri Lanka. There is only one direct flight, but it is extremely expensive, with economy class tickets usually starting from $7,000. As for connecting flights, there are not many choices either, but SriLankan Airlines offers the shortest route, with a stopover in Bangkok (about 1 hour, no need to disembark), followed by a flight to Sri Lanka. Each leg of the journey is approximately 3 hours. The flights are comfortable, and the price is reasonable. For this trip, departing on April 28 and returning on May 2, the total cost including taxes was $3,900, making it the best value option.
SriLankan Airlines also offers a unique feature: passengers can bid for an upgrade up to 24 hours before the flight, with a minimum starting price of USD 100. On this trip, I had the opportunity to try their business class through SriLankan Airlines. Was the upgrade to business class worth it? Let’s find out together.Full article: First Experience with SriLankan Airlines Business Class
Accommodation
I chose OZO Hotels, a hotel group with properties in the capital Colombo and Kandy. OZO Colombo, located in Colombo’s third district by the sea, boasts a prime location, just over 10 minutes’ drive from multiple city center attractions. What surprised me most was the view of the endless ocean, coupled with the sight of trains slowly passing by, creating a unique scene. Dining by the sea while overlooking this view was a truly relaxing experience.
In addition to the restaurant on the first floor, the rooftop bar is also a delightful surprise. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset, offering a 180-degree panoramic view of the city. Sitting by the infinity pool with a drink, chatting with friends, or simply enjoying the sea view and reflecting alone are all enjoyable experiences.
The reason I recommend OZO Colombo is not only because of its stunning sea views but also because of its comfortable rooms. With no overly elaborate designs, the stylish and minimalist aesthetic creates a pleasant atmosphere. Attention to detail, such as the selection of pillows and bedding, shows the thoughtfulness put into the design by the hotel team.
Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city and the last capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom. The OZO Hotel mentioned earlier in Kandy is situated by Kandy Lake, with a view of the lake visible right from your room window.
SriLankan Airlines Quick Facts
| Flight Schedule | Departure: 18:15–22:55; Return: 07:20–17:10 |
| Destinations | Colombo, Bangkok, Maldives |
| Prices | They recently launched a series of economy class promotions. For example, round-trip flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok are only $839, including taxes at $1,181; for Maldives/Colombo, the fare is $2,149, including taxes of $2,479 for Maldives and $2,518 for Colombo. Business class to Bangkok was also available at $2,595 including taxes. Keep an eye out for these deals. |
SriLankan Airlines: https://www.srilankan.com/zh_hk/hk
Latest Offers at OZO Hotels
From now until November 30, 2016, OZO Colombo in Sri Lanka and OZO Kandy in Sri Lanka are offering the Sri Lanka Discovery Package*. Prices start from $228 (approximately HK$1,769) and $224 (approximately HK$1,737) respectively (excluding applicable taxes and service fees), allowing guests to enjoy a two-night double occupancy stay at each hotel. The OZO Kandy Discovery Package includes a round-trip Expo
Rail luxury train ticket between Colombo and Kandy. Stay at OZO Hotels to experience the authentic charm of Sri Lanka. These packages need to be booked separately. To book the packages for both hotels, please make separate reservations on their official websites. The Expo Rail luxury train ticket is included in the OZO Kandy Discovery Package.
www.ozohotels.com/colombo-srilanka/
http://www.ozohotels.com/kandy-srilanka/
Acknowledgments: SriLankan Airlines, OZO
Photo by Nikon D810
(Editor’s note: The hotels mentioned in this article were sponsored by OZO, and the camera used for photography was borrowed from the supplier. No fees or compensation were received from SriLankan Airlines, OZO, or Nikon.)
Text and photos by Dan @ A Half-Told Story of a Travel Journalist
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