Customer feedback - Sri Lanka and the Maldives

As we are always striving to improve the quality of our service and delivery of our holidays we appreciate any comments received from our customers. Immediate and appropriate action is taken when holidays drop below our very high standards. Please read what previous customers have to say about us - warts and all! Please be aware that the comments included in Customer Feedback are the personal views and opinions of individual customers and not those of Tikalanka Tours. Explanatory notes and our responses to customer comments are contained in square parentheses.

"Just to say we have returned safely from Sri Lanka and we had a really amazing holiday. The itinerary worked really well. Highlights included: Adams’s Peak, which was really special (even the 2am start wasn’t bad as we witnessed the thousands of stars lighting up the sky which was beautiful). Staying with Pathi and his family, they were warm and welcoming and the food was delicious. [Hanthana House, Kandy] Zion View [Ella], a really lovely guesthouse and I spent time in their kitchen so I can now cook Sri Lankan food. Had my first attempt on Saturday as soon as I arrived back using spices picked up from the local supermarket in Kandy. My friends were impressed! The Last House [Tangalle] – probably one of the best places we have ever stayed. The setting, architecture and interior design was spot on. And Ananda and his team not only cooked up some of the most delicious treats every mealtime but were super friendly and attentive. Ending the holiday meeting Sena, one of your guides. He was absolutely wonderful, a very spiritual man and very knowledgeable. We both felt it was a real shame we didn’t have him for the whole trip." Helena & Richard, England, January 2012

"Overall, we had a wonderful trip and there were few things that we could find fault with. We can honestly say it was one of our best family holidays. We loved the varied landscapes of Sri Lanka (tea plantations, rain forest, plains, coast) and the range of activities (culture, activity, wildlife) and the different hotels we stayed in. We chose to focus our trip on the central and southern areas to keep travel distances down and made the holiday mainly activity and wild-life based to avoid moans of "Not another temple!" from our teenage children (13 and 16 years). John at Tikalanka was very professional from the outset, providing helpful advice and extremely patient in dealing with our endless questions. Chauffeur/Guide. We had Upul with us for 2 days while we were in Kandy. He was excellent - very knowledgeable and his English was good. We were then left with a driver (Duminda) as the rest of our stay did not require a 'proper' guide. He tried hard but his English was limited. There were a couple of hairy moments with his driving and he got lost a few times. The Wallawwa (Kotugoda) [Airport]. Lovely boutique hotel. Excellent service and delicious food. We had the family suite - spacious and very comfortable with huge wet rooms. Perfect place to relax after the flight. Mahaweli Reach (Kandy). We were slightly worried about this hotel having read mixed reviews on TripAdvisor but it was fine. We had to wait 45 mins for our rooms to be ready which was slightly annoying. The room décor was a bit dated but it was large, clean, and had super comfortable beds and a river view. The pool area was very nice and hardly being used. Our son loved the extensive buffet breakfast. Kandy. The Temple of the Tooth was very busy when we visited but Upul guided us expertly around. We also went to another Temple where we had a Buddhist blessing which we thought made up for not going to church on Christmas Day! Kandyan dancers - it's true what they say about the Sri Lankans not having much rhythm but our son was very impressed with the fire-walkers and fire eaters. Royal River Resort (Kitugala). Simple, slightly quirky but charming in its own way. Manager was very welcoming. We enjoyed playing cards in the open-air sitting room listening to the sound of the river/falls. The home-cooked curry was exceptionally good - definitely worth ordering 1.5 hours in advance as the menu is otherwise quite limited. White-water rafting, Kitugala. Fun but not quite the adrenaline pumping action we had expected due to the water level being rather low. A good taster though and something we would like to do again. Ceylon Tea Trails (Norwood Bungalow) [Adam's Peak]. An absolute must-do in Sri Lanka! A wonderful oasis in the heart of tea country. Relaxed and very comfortable without be over the top. The service is impeccable - complete attention to detail without being intrusive. We were beautifully looked after throughout - including all our laundry done for free. The food was very, very good indeed. Although you are served four meals a day, we never felt overly full. The children loved the beautiful pool. We played croquet and cricket on the lawn and went for one of the sign-posted walks. The tea factory visit was fascinating and educational. All in all, a fantastic stay. Adam's Peak walk. A challenging but really satisfying experience. It was amazing to get to the top and watch the sun rise as a red fiery ball out of the mist after a steep, 3.5 hour climb. We were very stiff for a few days but didn't regret having done it for a moment. Ceylon Tea Trials provided an excellent guide who carried our picnic breakfast. Melheim Resort (Beragala) [Ella]. Comfortable, modern rooms with balcony and panoramic views over the plains below. Limited menu but the cooking was OK although wine a bit pricey. Hibiscus Garden (Tissamaharama). Somewhat disappointing. We had wanted to stay at the Tissa Safari but Tikalanka doesn't offer it. The rooms were fine and had what we needed. Nice pool area but insufficient sun beds for number of guests and paving surround was collapsing and in process of being repaired (not very quickly!). The menu was limited and service rather half-hearted. Breakfast was not pleasant with crows eating left-over food off the next tables. In hindsight we should have gone for the Priyankara Hotel where we had two very good evening meals. Tissa Lake. Lovely boat trip at sunset. Really peaceful watching the birds (pelicans, purple heron, pheasant-tailed jacanas, brahminy kite as well lots of ibis and egrets) and a few lone fishermen. Yala West National Park. We enjoyed this but you have to go with the right expectations; it's not like African safari. Nevertheless, we saw a leopard and bull elephants, plus wild boar, water buffalo, land monitors, crocodiles, spotted deer, langur monkeys and lots of peacocks and other birds (various types of bee-eaters, painted storks, jungle fowl etc). The park gets very busy and roads are incredibly pot-holed so be prepared to be jolted around for a few hours. The company used by Tikalanka [Ajith Jeep Safaris] is good in providing vehicles with forward-facing comfy seats (not side-ways benches) and knowledgeable, observant guides. Insist on an early start to arrive at the park by 5.45am to be at the front of the ticket queue. Bundala National Park. In a way we enjoyed this more than Yala as it is far less busy. The lagoons are beautiful in the evening light and the bird life is excellent. Again, our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We had brought a bird book and the kids enjoyed ticking off all the species they had seen (purple swamp hens, red-wattled lapwings, grey-headed fish eagle, whistling duck, Indian pond heron, asian openbill, great thick knee to name a few). Just as we were leaving the park we rounded a corner to find a bull elephant just in front of the jeep; it turned and walked within inches of us - very exciting. Frangipani Tree (Thalpe) [Unawatuna]. Small and intimate hotel. We had the 2-bedrom Leatherback suite which felt like our own private villa (minimalist and stylish décor) just yards from the Indian ocean (apparently the Olive Ridley rooms are not as nice and quite noisy as they are on the roadside). The infinity pool is stunning and we made use of the tennis court. The food was really tasty, especially the generous breakfasts, and the service was good. Our only complaint was that the wine is very expensive. We ended up buying our own in Weligama and they were happy to let us put it in the kitchen fridge (NB: there are no fridges in the rooms). The beach isn't swimmable (rocky underfoot and strong current) but nice for sitting watching the turtles, swallows and stunning sunsets. You can walk 10 mins along the beach (westward) to Wijaya beach for safer swimming and yummy wood-fired pizzas. We also had two good evening meals in close-by Unawatuna (Dream House - an Italian restaurant; Taproban - a seafood restaurant right on the beach). Overall, a lovely place to relax after travelling around Sri Lanka. Whale watching, Mirissa. This was an amazing experience and definitely worth the money (arranged by Tikalanka through Mirissa Watersports). We saw about 6 or 7 blue whales and a couple of large pods of spinner dolphins. Mirissa beach is also good for surfing, body boarding and simply jumping in the waves with a gentle-shelving sandy beach. Galle. We enjoyed ambling around this town but glad we didn't stay here. There are some nice boutique shops including The Pedlar St Gallery with interesting hand-made jewellery and artwork. Our cricket-mad son enjoyed peering into Galle cricket stadium from the ramparts and is now looking forward to watching the England v Sri Lanka match in Galle on TV in March. We'd have liked to have seen some cricket but the Sri Lanka team were in South Africa whilst we were there. We had a drink at The Galle Fort Hotel and dinner at Mama's (a roof-top restaurant with a view of the lighthouse). We had been recommended this place by a couple of people but unfortunately there was a power cut whilst we were there and the food was not as good as expected." Powell family, England, December 2011/January 2012

"What did you like most about Maldives? Relaxing, snorkelling, reading on the beach, not worrying about anything. [Medhufushi Island Resort] What did you like least about Maldives? The trip is quite long [from Netherlands] and waiting in Male airport a bit of an anticlimax after an amazing holiday. Any other comments? [No comment]" Amalia & Miguel, Netherlands, December 2011/January 2012

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Scenery, friendly people, food. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Traffic, urban/hotel sprawl. Any other comments? Access to hotels and places of interest would have been more comfortable and safer if a 4x4 vehicle were available. The beach beside Closenberg Hotel [Galle] is very smelly and unpleasant and, as there is no swimming pool, our time there was not very satisfactory. Bedroom balcony rather smelly and noisy from kitchens." Melanie & Henry, England, December 2011/January 2012

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? The contrast between the two countries. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? The flight time from the UK. Any other comments? We had a fantastic holiday experience and could not fault any aspect of it. From booking the holiday to the great individual hotels and of course Oscar our guide who treated us so well. Our flights were seamless - we have had a 1st Class holiday - a big thanks to Tikalanka." Shane, Julie & Alastair, England, December 2011/January 2012

"What did you like most about Maldives? The beach, the snorkelling and diving. [Medhufushi Island Resort] What did you like least about Maldives? The long day at Male airport on my way back. Any other comments? [No comment]" Amalia, Spain, December 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Variety of activities available i.e. within short distances, and very friendly people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? [No comment] Any other comments? All accommodation booked by Tikalanka was of a very high standard. Our driver [guide] Niroshan was excellent and we would highly recommend him to other travellers. He was very knowledgeable and a safe driver. We enjoyed every aspect of our trip and would love to return to Sri Lanka one day." Hannah & Jonathan, Scotland, December 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? It is impossible to prioritise as we enjoyed so much - the friendly people we met, the scenery and cultural sites, the food - just about everything. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Some of the road conditions. The driving techniques of the aggressive bus drivers. Any other comments? We would like to thank both John and Pathi for organising and coordinating our tour of Sri Lanka - we had a wonderful four weeks. Using a small company like Tikalanka means that everything is tailored for you. You are a person and not just a booking reference. Also we must give our heartfelt thanks to our chauffeur guide Oscar. His breadth and depth of knowledge of his country was invaluable - he started out as a stranger and became a friend." Janet & John, Scotland, November 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Temples - history. Wildlife - birds etc. People. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Some of the roads are not particularly good standard. Any other comments? We had the most amazing adventure in Sri Lanka. Our guide Niroshan was like a walking encyclopaedia; his knowledge was amazing, with a very good sense of humour too. Always turned up on time, well turned out; polite and gave good advice. If I had to have a moan the only thing would be that they ran out of beer when staying in the hotel near the tea plantations [Jetwing Warwick Gardens, Nuwara Eliya]. Not what you expect when they had 8 people staying. We also feel that we should have been told about leg room on the flights [SriLankan Airlines]. My husband had a rough time being over 6ft with the trolleys always running over his feet! We did manage to upgrade on the way back! The Maldives [Filitheyo Island Resort] was a wonderful relaxation time. Food was very good standard although thought it was unfair to pay for daily bottled water from the mini bar. All in all a wonderful time was had by us both and we wish to thank John and his team for such an amazing experience. We would definitely use your services again." Angela & Steven, England, November 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Countryside, people, culture. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Nothing. Any other comments? We loved our time in Sri Lanka. The tour diver/guide (Ranjith) was superb. Everything worked to plan. Accommodation was excellent (Kandy - Amaya Hills Hotel was superb - best location ever). Reception staff at Sigiriya Village [Sigiriya] were useless. More in touch with their computers than with clients. Your info was very helpful. Thanks very much for an excellent experience." Jane & Sandra, England, November 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The natural beauty and wildlife. [See photos of their trip at Travelrod] What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Colombo. Any other comments? Sri Lanka has a wealth of accessible wildlife, even in relatively developed areas (e.g. Kandy Lake). Tikalanka does not make enough capital out of this treasure. Our guide [Ranjith] was a wonderful chap but was not able to put us in touch with wildlife guides. This was not an issue as our time was relatively short and we were pretty well organised (our host Pathi had arranged for Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl to visit his garden). However I think you would attract even more visitors by emphasising wildlife potential more." Rod & Sam, England, November 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The variety, the people, the hotels we stayed in. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Driving - pace and safety (not our guide who was very good). Any other comments? Hotel selections, logistics, planning, information - all excellent, thanks. Main guide [Niroshan] excellent. Second driver [transfer from Galle to the airport only] was less good and would have been bad if whole 2 weeks. Given the quality of the accommodation/holiday cost the guide's car was not good enough - should be less than 3 years old in my view. Overall we had a fabulous time. Thanks." Beverly & Tony, England, October/November 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? [No comment] What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Roads and traffic - but that's how it is!! Any other comments? Oscar - driver [guide] - fantastic. Galle Face Hotel [Colombo] - tried to put us in a Royal Suite in Classic Wing (as rooms in Regency Wing were full up with guests as rooms in Classic Wing were leaking!!). The Royal Suites were not up to our standard in the least and we insisted on staying in Regency Wing as booked - after 3 hours we were given a room in Regency Wing as you had booked. I have left a letter of complaint with Galle Face Hotel (just thought you'd like to know). I would always stay at Galle Face Hotel but NEVER in Classic Wing. PS We had a fantastic holiday - thank you." Richard & Alison, England, October/November 2011

"Firstly I'd like to say how much we enjoyed our holiday. We both feel the holiday could have been even better... Our first hotel Havelock Place Bungalow [Colombo]. Room 5 - Small room no storage but unusual bathroom with area open to the sky with ferns and ornamental plant in the corner. Tiny private patio, with very slippery patio outside which should be jet washed for safety (I told the host but we then left). Good double bed on concrete dias. Has a conventional fan and a/c although this ceased to produce cold air on the second night. Our host was very attentive and the hotel is nice with good food - but I suggest you book a different room for your clients in future! Trip to Pettah bazaar (mostly closed on a Sunday, driver/guide [Kapila] left us to get on with it, so probably missed a lot including the Dutch Church), basically we saw a few stalls when there was much to see, which we didn't. Lake Lodge [Dambulla] - a bit unwelcoming at first, the entrance is barren, and the staff member who saw us in wasn't very friendly. Everyone else was great and the manager most helpful, maybe it was the start of the season! The food was superb, and the manager organized a trip on the lake which we enjoyed. Happily stay here again! It would be good where there are afternoons/time out (at leisure) if Tikalanka made some suggestions… clearly there is a lot of things to do but we had to ask. Trips to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. There are clearly a number of significant buildings that weren't drawn to our attention. If you want me to detail these I will. Stay at Hanthana House [Kandy]. Pathi and his wife were lovely, helpful and created great dishes. However when we asked to have our room tidied/cleaned only the bin was emptied. The room had no a/c and no mosquito nets. The building was not a home and the rooms hadn't been well cleaned. This was the only 'homestay' and not one I'd wish to repeat. Two nights would have been ample for what we did in Kandy. World's End trip [Horton Plains] - driver 30 minutes late, guide took us the long way round to the view at World's End. Probably as a result we had no view. Our guide should have known the right way to walk this! Also we had asked Pathi if we could do it without the guide because he walks so slowly and he said we'd need him to find the path - absolutely untrue, it is very well signed. The Galle-Colombo rail trip never happened as the track is being rebuilt and had been so since September. Pathi/Tikalanka should have been aware of this, and it shouldn't have been on the itinerary. We were told the day before and we went to the station to make sure! I was concerned that virtually all the hotels failed to provide mosquito netting - Kalu's Hideaway [Uda Walawe] (no netting on the window so we had to keep it shut) and Thambapanni Retreat [Unawatuna] did and most welcome it was. Our guide wouldn't advise re tips - and this was at times difficult although not his job… He also had to ask directions rather more often than made us comfortable, including leaving us alone in the car for 20 minutes on the way to the hotel in Colombo and getting lost repeated in the centre of Colombo the next day. Having to ask directions to our first hotel was disconcerting and didn't instill confidence. If the guide had had better command of English and been more of an enthusiast culturally and in general that would have been great. He was good on his birds though! My daughter works for a UK tourist company and suggested I detail my observations to you, and not to TripAdvisor, although I will be putting up a lot of positive comments because we enjoyed Sri Lanka. The above has been sufficient to convince us to move back to the Exodus-type group holidays - one of which we met, and whose guide was clearly in a different league." Steve & Ruth, Scotland, October/November 2011

"Well, we had the most amazing time and we got sun every day until about 2 or 3pm.... The highlight was definitely Galle for me, the hotel [Apa Villa Thalpe, Unawatuna] was just beautiful and the town too and we had lunch one day in the Galle Fort [Hotel] on the veranda. The kids loved the Colombo hotel [Galle Face Hotel]. I didn't like the one in Kandy (we did a detour!) [Own arrangements] though the pool was lovely. No fault of anyone but it was so wet and damp.... and not as beautiful as the other two hotels bar the view. Kapila [chauffeur guide] was great and put up with an awful lot of driving for us, the trip from Kandy to Galle via Ratnapura was a horrific day of driving and so we got tuk tuks around Galle to give him a break. There's a turtle place 5 mins away from the hotel down there. We had dinner with your partner [Pathi] and saw photos of you! [John] That was a fantastic evening and so kind of him. Could you send me his postal address? Or are you going out there soon so you could take a letter from me to him to thank him? I got some stones too and some contacts so that was good and we saw a sapphire mine (a large puddle in a field) and a moonstone mine (bit touristy). It was great, thank you. The flight going out was awful, one back not so bad. [SriLankan Airlines] Tell your clients to book the back cabin not the middle one, for some reason the emergency seats in the middle one are tiny but in the back you have all the extra leg room, plus it's not a crèche, if you can get the bulkheads." Lisa, Edward & Cecily, England, October 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Safari in Sri Lanka [Kulu Safaris, Uda Walawe]. Snorkelling in Maldives [Mirihi Island Resort]. Service in both countries. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Travelling by road in Sri Lanka. Any other comments? We were very impressed by the service provided by Tikalanka, particularly John's patience with questions he must have heard a thousand times before. And we love the name!" Mike & Sue, England, October 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? People - warm, friendly and always smiling. Diverse landscapes, attractions and accommodation. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Constantly having to think about tipping. Roads, though not as bad as we thought. Rubbish and bus drivers. Any other comments? A fantastic and varied holiday, with wonderful scenery and accommodation. Driver/guide. Very important part of your holiday, since you are with him most of the time. It all depends on compatibility. We had an excellent driver/guide in Niroshan. We could not have asked for any more, nothing at all was too much trouble. Apart from being a 'walking encyclopaedia', we learnt so much about the country, peoples' way of life and beliefs. Added to which he had a good sense of humour - shame about the jokes, Niroshan! Thank you once again for a wonderful, varied holiday experience." John & Sue, England, October 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people, the scenery. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Nothing relevant to point out. Any other comments? We had a wonderful time and greatly enjoyed the experience of visiting Sri Lanka. Please say "hi" to Pathi and his lovely family [Hanthana House, Kandy] and also to Kapila [chauffeur guide]." Nuno & Sofia, Portugal, October 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people and everything else. We have been to India but this [Sri Lanka] was nicer. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Sheila did not enjoy walking barefoot over stones and gravel in the temples. Any other comments? We have enclosed your feedback forms bur also wish to take this opportunity to thank you [John] and your staff both in London and Sri Lanka for our wonderful holiday. Everything we asked you for was carried out but much seemed to be added which made this trip more special. Oscar, our driver/guide, was excellent, so attentive and caring. He was sometimes a little softly spoken when we were travelling that we had to ask him to say things again which he did not seem to mind. At all other times his English was very good and his driving made us feel safe. All the hotels were above the standard we had expected. The few problems we had were at the Cinnamon Lodge in Habarana where we had a detached bungalow close to the main hotel building. Most evenings they have private functions that go on until midnight. The noise from the music made it difficult to get to sleep when we had to get up for a trip. We did complain to the manager and to be fair on our last night they did turn it down. There was also only a small wardrobe and no drawers so we could not unpack all our clothes. The Chaaya Citadel in Kandy and Cinnamon Grand in Colombo were fabulous. The trip up into the Hill Country was well worth it despite the bad roads which Oscar negotiated excellently. To see and meet tea pickers was a wonderful experience. The Heritance Tea Factory [Nuwara Eliya] was also something not to be missed. Our jeep safari in Minneriya [National Park] was out of this world. To have our own jeep driver and safari guide made us feel special and to see so many elephants in the wild was the highlight of Sheila's holiday. Our trip to the [Pinnewala] Elephant Orphanage was different. Feeding to so-called baby elephants is a con but we really enjoyed watching them bathing and being washed in the river, so we feel it was worth going. [The visit to Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage was NOT organised through Tikalanka Tours. We do not promote or visit Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage following adverse reports from Travellers' Animal Alert, the global animal welfare campaign of the Born Free Foundation we support, and some of our own customers. Please go to Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage for more details.] We are not sure if you arranged it but on our [50th wedding] anniversary day when we arrived in Colombo there was a lovely cake and bowl of fruit in our room and during our special evening meal the manager and manageress came with a red rose for Sheila. We cannot thank Tikalanka enough for the best anniversary we have ever had. We will recommend you to our friends. It's a pity that you only do Sri Lanka and the Maldives." David & Sheila, England, September 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Nature, guesthouses [boutique hotels] service/views. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Tipping, Sri Lanka food limited, Serene Pavilions [Wadduwa] very very bad service. Roads very bad, bumps makes you feel sick. Any other comments? We had a very bad experience with Serene Pavilions, the place is over-priced, the service was extremely slow. Very happy with the other hotels (3 Sri Lanka and 1 Maldives). Took us 4.5 hours to go from Ceylon Tea Trails [Adam's Peak] to Serene Pavilions (was written 3.5 hours in paper [itinerary]) despite traffic good." Sebastien & Yizhong Zhang, France/England, August/September 2011 Also, see the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review.

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people and the scenery. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Road safety! Any other comments? Just working out how and when we can get back to Heritance Kandalama [Dambulla]. Thanks for all your help John, it was a wonderful holiday." Coyle family, England, August 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Everything. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Roads/driving. Any other comments? Best holiday ever (and the most expensive). Upul - our guide - was wonderful. He 'made' the holiday. Can't praise him highly enough. Too much driving. Next time we will concentrate on a smaller area. However as a first visit this was an ideal introduction to Sri Lanka. Thanks to John and Pathi (and his lovely family)." Terry & Fran, England, August 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people; the variety of landscape, cultural experiences; Yala [West] National Park - Kulu [Safaris] camp; homestay with Pathi and family [Hanthana House, Kandy]. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Jetwing St. Andrew's [Nuwara Eliya] - less personal BUT I was unwell so this will have influenced our impressions. Any other comments? A fantastic holiday. The organisation of the trip was outstanding. We felt really well looked after. Kapila (our driver-guide) and Pathi [local manager] went out of their way to ensure we had the best possible experience and there was still flexibility to change or add to the itinerary. Accommodation was geat - Melheim Resort [Ella] would be a good place for a 2-day stop. Clarification on tipping at Kulu Camp would help (we messed that up!). Please clarify that the round 3-pin sockets are small ones; we took adapter for large 3-pin - PS these are very very minor points!" Ro & Ian, England, August 2011 Also, see the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review.

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The variety and diversity of the country - in terms of the scenery, food, culture and people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? The politics of tipping correctly! Any other comments? Thank you so much for an amazing honeymoon. Our time in Sri Lanka was made by Niroshan our guide - a walking encyclopedia of Sri Lankan knowledge and always fun to be around - even after very long drives! Many a fellow traveller was envious of the attention and care that Niroshan provided. We also never expected the food to be so good - having curry withdrawal already! Our highlight was Yala with Kulu Safaris - a phenomenal experience." Kevin & Wendy, England, August 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Scenery. Food. Welcome. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Roads! (and driving). Any other comments? Our recent trip to Sri Lanka was very successful and great fun; we enjoyed our time exploring the beautiful country. The itinerary worked very well and included all the things we wanted to see. However we feel we must inform you of our concerns with regard to our driver [guide] Ranjith. Ranjith is a very pleasant and knowledgeable gentleman, who was very kind, patient and helpful during our trip. While we understand that driving in places such as Sri Lanka is very different to driving in the UK, we did feel that our safety at times was compromised. However apart from this comment re the driving etc, we do want to reiterate that the trip was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with lots of experiences and memories to share!! Thank you for all your help in making this a special holiday." Laura, Maggie & Anna, England, August 2011 Also, see the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review.

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Difficult to choose between Perahera in Kandy, Yala [West] National Park (with Kulu [Safaris] campsite) and Sigiriya fort. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Humidity. Slightly scarey sea and memories of Tsunami. Any other comments? A fantastic holiday. Upul [chauffeur guide] was great. Huge variety - culture, religion, wildlife, beaches. Beautiful hill country. Lovely temperature. Great food. Extremeley friendly people. Would love to visit again." Hogarth family, England, August 2011 Also, see the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review.

See the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review. Greg & Emily, England, July/August 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The diversity of attractions and landscape. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Nothing. Any other comments? I wanted to email you to let you know that we had an absolutely fantastic time in Sri Lanka - lovely people, great hotels, amazing sites and all extremely well organised. It was everything I hoped it would be and I have got 100s of photos and video footage. Anura, although his English was not as fluent as some of the other guides we met, was very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable (especially about the flora and fauna) and gave us loads of information about Buddhism, history, family life etc. We have exchanged email addresses and he has invited us to spend some time with him and his family if we go back. I don’t know who suggested the arrangements for my birthday, but they were much appreciated – down to the ‘Happy Birthday’ spelt out in petals on the bed! Unfortunately, the river was a little low for a thrilling white water ride, but it was still good fun – enlivened by Anura’s ‘baby elephant’ impression in the water!!! I couldn’t possibly say what was my favourite part, although ‘World’s End’ [Horton Plains] and the Dambulla Caves were amazing and I found Polonnaruwa fascinating (Ryan’s response was “not another World Heritage site – I don’t like ruins”, but you can’t win ‘em all!). The [Heritance] Kandalama [Dambulla] was also pretty special, although all the hotels were fab. Thank you to you [John] and Pathi for all your efforts – it certainly was a birthday to remember and I hope we will get to go back some day. If so, I will definitely come back to Tikalanka." Sandra, Chris & Ryan, England, July/August 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? People, culture, natural history, beach. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Traffic, long journeys (not unexpected), the Executive Chef at Vil Uyana [Sigiriya] who was unctious, arrogant and useless. Any other comments? Vil Uyana did not live up to expectations. Did not like room layout (no toilet door). Dining room caters for meal plan in evenings. Not good for us. Food and service we had was poor." Goldman family, England, July/August 2011

"What a wonderful trip we had, I have placed some of my photos on Picasa. Feel free to use them, for your own site if any are of interest to you. I'm trying to write a trip report for family and friends; I'll send it to you if I ever get around to it. I really fell in love with the country and its people; somehow I always knew that I would. In the whole trip the only thing that I didn't like were the driving conditions, which were on occasion suicidal. Still we survived, thanks to the skill and concentration of Anura. He was an excellent guide, we became firm friends, I think that you can see that in the photos. I really enjoyed Pathi's and his family's company, too; I felt a bit like the "king of the castle" in that huge palace, Hanthana [House, Kandy]. Galkadawala [Habarana] was definitely a highlight. I asked Archie what he would have liked to change about the trip, and he said less temple visits and more time with Maulie, so that's high praise indeed. The food and the welcome there were exceptional. On arrival there I was a little worried, a house with no walls, it was my first night out of Negombo. I was still living in my Luxembourg head, full of pre-conditions and expectations. It was an ideal way to wind down, slow down and get into a more relaxed mind set. I will definitely be returning to Sri Lanka, as I said to Maulie, once I had shed my western expectations and prejudices I felt so at home. The culture shock when returning to Europe was incredible, I felt like an alien. For the first few days I was very depressed with the grey cold atmosphere, the grey cold people, and the grey cold food. I still long for the warmth of Sri Lankan people, food and climate. So I'll have to work a little harder and save a little more so that I can go back. With kind personal regards." Mark & Archie, Luxembourg, July 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Friendliness, birds and wildlife, variety of interesting places to visit. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Traffic/driving/roads, dogs, tipping culture, mosquitoes. Any other comments? We had a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka and saw so many wonderful things but what made our holiday really special was our driver-guide, Niroshan. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. From the moment we met him at the airport, he was never late. He was always well turned out and the car was frequently cleaned, both in and out. He was flexible and would often have a number of suggestions from which we were able to choose. He took good care of us, not only on the road but when on foot. He always made us feel safe despite the antics of his fellow road users. Most British drivers would not last five minutes on Sri Lankan roads! On one occasion at a festival when an elephant stampeded, he quickly recognised the danger and led us away. There is no better ambassador for Sri Lanka. We enjoyed our very long afternoon in Anuradhapura and preferred it to Polonnaruwa as it is a living city not a ruin. Palm Garden Village (Anuradhapura) has a beautiful setting with wildlife in the garden and around a nearby tank. The room was excellent; however the food was disappointing in its variety and quality (possibly because it was low season - early July). We visited Dambulla caves, which were fascinating, en route to our next stop, Chaaya Village (Habarana) which had the best grounds by far for wildlife. We saw monkeys, kingfishers and a porcupine. The food was of good quality and catered for all tastes. However, the rooms were a bit spartan. We were overcharged for drinks and when we paid our bill by credit card they converted the currency without asking us. After climbing Sigiriya Rock we drove to Kandy visiting a spice garden in Matale en route. Chaaya Citadel had excellent food and the rooms were comfortable. We loved Kandy and could have spent more time there, but the botanical gardens were nothing special. On our train journey from Kandy into the hill country was one of the highlights of the holiday. We saw a lot of local life including people working in the tea plantations. Not to be missed - make sure you are in the observation car. Jetwing St Andrew's (Nuwara Eliya) has charm but lacked soul and the service was a bit disappointing, particularly our welcome at reception. We were given a basement room with a view of a concrete wall. Horton Plains is beautiful and worth a visit but can be a little overrated as we saw very few birds. We had a horrendous 90 minute ride each way in a geriatric jeep with worn-out suspension. We were fortunate that our visit to Kataragama coincided with their annual festival and we managed to see the parade with elephants. Elephant Reach Hotel (Tissamaharama) was fine, but we only stayed overnight. We were impressed that they made us a special breakfast as the restaurant had closed when we got back from our safari. Our safari in Yala NP was enjoyable although wildlife was scarce (no leopards and only one elephant) despite our determined driver who gave us over 4 hours in the park. Our three nights at Turtle Bay Hotel (Tangalle) was a highlight. This area is totally unspoilt and an ideal place to relax after an exhausting schedule. We just hope it stays this way! The balcony view was a deserted sandy beach, the service was first-class and dinner was always a treat (the seafood was locally caught and bought in the morning in the unspoilt nearby fishing village). Drinks here were very reasonable considering it is a boutique hotel (far cheaper than Jetwing St Andrews!) One evening, we went by tuk-tuk to see a turtle laying its eggs in the sand - a fantastic experience. We loved Galle Fort Hotel (Galle) and on arrival were made to feel at home by the management for whom nothing was too much trouble. The hotel oozes charm and character, and is very centrally placed. We had a very reasonable meal on the outdoor terrace of the nearby luxury Amangalla Hotel, cheaper than the Galle Fort Hotel. Our final night was spent at Villa Araliya (Negombo). This is small but friendly and we had a good breakfast. We did not like Negombo as a resort but for one night it was OK. Thanks once again for all of your [John] input to the holiday in Sri Lanka, which we rate as one of our best." Elaine & Graham, England, July 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? People. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Traffic in Colombo. Leeches. Any other comments? Yapa was a wonderful guide. Very patient and capable. Took us to extra things outside of the itinerary. Very flexible. Always obliging. Always punctual. Nothing too much trouble - would recommend him." Silcock family, England, July 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Diversity of attractions e.g. mountains, seaside, historical, cultural. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Touts at Bentota. Any other comments? We had a lovely holiday in Sri Lanka for which many thanks, made more successful by your guide Niroshan who was extremely helpful with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Sri Lankan history and Buddhism. The whole trip went very well with excellent hotels, good meals (an interesting mixture of Sri Lankan and Western) and attentive staff, with the exception of Bentota Beach [Hotel, Bentota] which we found large and impersonal for our taste. We visited many interesting places, in particular Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Lipton's Seat and the game parks [Uda Walawe and Yala] where we saw many elephants and leopards. Niroshan also took us to the Kataragama puja one evening - although not on our itinerary - it gave us a very interesting insight into Buddhism. Off season is obviously the time to go, not crowded and with good weather, and we have no hesitation in recommending you to our friends if they want to go to Sri Lanka. If you require any further information please let us know. With best wishes for the future." Ann & Gwyn, England, April/May 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Sri Lanka - [Jetwing] Lighthouse hotel [Galle] and Galle. Maldives - Diving. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Sri Lanka - Roads. Maldives - The expense. Any other comments? Hotel in Galle very good. Airport hotel [Jetwing Sea] very poor. Food in Maldives [Filitheyo Island Resort] particularly good." Lacey family, England, April 2011

"A Holiday to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean Introduction I start this report by saying, without equivocation, that the service we received from Tikalanka Tours was exemplary in all respects. This report covers our travel arrangements, our reception in Sri Lanka and my thoughts on the hotels that we stayed in. Before the holiday Tikalanka Tours carried out booking and travel arrangements with supreme professionalism and great courtesy, in particular by John Beswetherick. On arrival As promised, the very jolly Anura Bandara [chauffeur guide] met us with his air-conditioned Toyota minibus. Our first impression of Colombo airport and its facilities was that Sri Lanka is clearly not a third world country. Passage through immigration, customs and the local banking system was first class. We enjoyed Anura as a guide. His customer care skills were excellent, although it took some time to get used to his English and his accent. He is very proud of his job and has an excellent understanding of Sri Lanka's ancient history. He is also very good on the bird life in the island. Galle Face Hotel, Colombo - The Galle Face is exactly as described. We were meant to be in a 'Spa Deluxe Room', but were put into deluxe rooms on the first floor, behind reception. The rooms were fine; as was the service we received throughout our stay. The first night we ate at the Taj Palace Hotel, across the road from the Galle Face. We paid about GBP10 a head for a very good buffet. The second night we had a buffet in seafood restaurant of the Galle Face and again paid about GBP10 a head. Breakfast at the Galle Face was excellent on both days, whether you ate a European or Sri Lankan breakfast. Palm Garden Village Hotel, Anuradhapura - The Palm Garden Village Hotel is much improved, according to my brother, [Martin - see feedback below] who stayed there two years ago. The service is slick; the rooms are fine and the food excellent. The tank behind the hotel was full following extensive rains during the early part of the year, rain which reappeared when my brother and his wife returned there while we went on to the cultural triangle. On that occasion the rain was so torrential that the pathways were flooded. However, the staff, now clearly used to this, were excellent in escorting guests and ensuring a plentiful supply of large umbrellas. The roads to the south, east and west of Anuradhapura are dire. The road to the south is being re-laid and it needs to be. The road to the west, past the newly opened game park [Wilpattu National Park], is basically a track for 42 km. This is a great pity as a visit to Anuradhapura is essential if you are to understand the historic background to Sri Lanka's development. Chaaya Blu, Nilaveli - We arrived at the Chaaya Blu hotel on the Singhalese New Year's Day [14 April], at about 13.30 hours. It was a chaotic arrival, as the staff simply could not cope with the exceptional levels of traffic. However, we were made welcome and after about 30 minutes, having had a welcoming drink and a cold towel, were shown to our rooms on the ground floor. The hotel prides itself on its modernity, but the emphasis on the Bawa influence in this redesign of an older hotel is misplaced. It is fine to have grey/blue cement as a contrasting colour, particularly in the bathroom, but to be justified, it should have been re-skimmed after the plumbing had been sunk into the walls. As it is, it just looks unfinished. The pool was a disappointment, as it is boringly designed and shallow. This means that it gets very hot in the afternoon and, as there appeared to be no circulation system, almost unpleasant to be in. The sea, on the other hand, was a delight. The food was good and the beachside restaurant was excellent. However, as it was a public holiday, the service was slow due to the numbers of guests. We also visited the Nilaveli Beach Hotel, where my niece was staying with her Sri Lankan husband. This is a much older hotel, but as it was throughout our experience of Sri Lanka, the staff were welcoming and the rooms, although adequate, were not in the same league as the Chaaya Blu. We visited Trincomalee and saw the harbour, truly a wonder of the world. The fort in the middle of the city was fine, but very run down, as it is a reserve Army Unit's barracks. I would not say that the resort or Trincomalee was worth visiting again, unless you are looking for a beach holiday. Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla - Again the Singhalese New Year influenced our arrival, as there were a huge number of people checking out. At first we were allocated a superior room on the third floor of the Dambulla Wing. However, after complaining about our reception and the location of the rooms we were upgraded to deluxe rooms on the fifth floor [of the Sigiriya Wing], which were excellent. The hotel is a delight and we would recommend it to anyone. It is world class. The food was outstanding and we only used the main dining room. The facilities were equally impressive and we were entranced by the sight of a troop of monkeys passing across the front of the hotel, pausing to drink and bathe in the upper pool. It was the first time we had seen monkeys, albeit young ones, swimming and diving below water. This was clearly not the first time that they had done so. Mahaweli Reach , Kandy - You certainly need a guide to find this hotel, as it is not signed from the main road. On arrival we were met by a frankly miserable hostess, who handed us over to be booked in. We were eventually shown to our room, which was on the second floor, relatively close to reception. However, to get us to the room and to avoid going past workmen who were modernising rooms of the ground floor, we were taken out into the rain, across a courtyard and then by a circuitous route to the room. It was only later that I discovered a shorter, dry route to reception and to the dining room. The room was fine, but the excuse over the Wi-Fi (only offered at a charge of Rs1300 per hour) was that "we are currently involved with an Indian provider and that is what they are charging", is frankly ridiculous as every other hotel we stayed in had free access. The food was good, rather than excellent and improved on the second night of our stay. Norwood Bungalow, Adam's Peak - This is a gem. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to stay in such luxury and receive such brilliant service. I only wish we had stayed longer. The visit to the tea factory was really interesting and is a must for any visitor to the bungalow. It is well worth the morning it took. Overall, this is an exemplary business and Ceylon Tea Trails deserves all the success it has developed. Attention to every detail is the key. The Wallawwa, Airport - This hotel has a high reputation, but one that is completely undeserved. It is fine as an arrival and departures hotel, but no more. Again the stated influence is Bawa, but in this case, it is form over function. For example, the washbasin is triangular and so difficult to get handfuls of water to wash your face. It looks great though! There is no shaving socket available, with a multi-plug adapter a poor substitute. There is no fridge in the room and no instructions on how to control the air conditioning system, the result being an annoying wash of cold air as the fan oscillates with no means of stopping it, other than to turn the whole system off. The Wi-Fi system only operates in the entrance hall. The food was fine, but very expensive compared to the other hotels we stayed in with main courses being in excess of Rs1300 and starters at about Rs850. However, the bar prices were ridiculous. I complained about the price of a glass of white wine for my wife. There was a choice of two, at Rs850 or Rs1350. Without being asked, the more expensive one was sold - and it was not even a particularly good wine either. Only small bottles of beer were available at Rs300, by comparison to Rs400 for a large bottle in the Galle Face Hotel at the start of our holiday. The management and staff were very nice, but I cannot see how is deserves its reputation on TripAdvisor. I would not stay there again, preferring to stay in Colombo and accept the hour and a half ride to the airport. At least you would see something of Sri Lanka, rather than being buried in trees and you would not be ripped off by the cost of food and drink. Overall This was a great holiday. Sri Lanka is a wonderful country and needs our support, particularly as it recovers from its long civil war. What it does not need is a carping UN report second-guessing its civil rights performance. Sri Lanka is a second world country with a long history, a justifiably proud people and a brilliant cricket team! We will return. I have not received better service from any other travel business. Thank you." Bruce & Christine, Jersey, April 2011

"We are on the final day of our Sri Lankan holiday and staying very comfortably at The Wallawwa [Airport], which is excellent. However, I write to advise you of quite a serious SNAFU with our arrangements regarding the Jetwing Beach hotel [Airport]. Prior to leaving Anuradhapura I had a telecon with Mr Pathi, your agent [local manager], who said that there was a problem with our reservation there, and that the Jetwing Beach was overbooked. He said that they were making arrangements to cover this, and I was not too worried, as I said that if they didn't, that we would stay in the Taj hotel in Colombo, and Jetwing could pay!!! Well, we set off with your driver on Thursday 21st [April], and duly arrived at the Jetwing Beach where we were told that there was a problem, and that they had re-booked us in their new Jetwing Blue hotel [Airport] next door, which was also a 5 star venue. In compensation, they promised half board and an upgraded room. We went off to see this new hotel, next door, and being tired etc and having seen the room, we accepted, and moved into a 'super' deluxe room on the first floor above reception. All was well until we discovered that the Jetwing Blue is NOT a 5 star hotel, as they haven't finished building it!!!! There was mechanical noise all day, until 6pm and no stairs, just a lift, as they were 'doing something' to the stairs. Health and safety would have had a field day!! However, we know Sri Lanka well, and sympathised with their problems, but worse was to come. The Jetwing Group had also accepted a reservation from a Malaysian Radio Station, to accommodate two groups of the latter's employees over last week-end, together with a colossal staff party to be held on Saturday night. The first group of Malaysian youth made life at the hotel extremely trying, in that they took over the place, made an awful lot of noise and generally trashed the surroundings. When reinforcements arrived early on Saturday morning, the situation became untenable, with noise and disturbance lasting all day. Unfortunately, the southwest Monsoon also arrived that day too, making the hotel's preparations for this 'party' very difficult. It also made the lives of the few other hotel guests very painful too, and by dinner-time that evening, life was not at all good. The party took over most of the dining room, the noise and general bad behaviour was indescribable. We attempted to ignore the commotion and retreated to our room, but being immediately above the central scene, our night was not a success, for one could neither hear a TV or read a book etc, due to the disturbance. I visited management and gave them a good talking to, and they managed to turn the music off just after 11pm and the general party subsided after midnight as half of the group were up at 5.30am for departure. Their departure was noisy too, and we were awoken at that time. John, I am not an old fuddy-duddy, and I like people to enjoy themselves, but when one is not part of the action, and when one is on a supposed 5 star holiday, one does like to have a nice quiet and very rewarding time. This was NOT provided by the Jetwing Group, and I have no problem with recommending that you never use them again until such time that they remember who their best clients are!! Throughout all this mayhem, I have to say that the Jetwing Blue's Management and staff were marvellous, and did their very best in appalling circumstances, but for the Jetwing Group to tell you that they were over-booked this last week, and then transfer your guests to a lower level of accommodation is outrageous. The staff at the Jetwing Beach offered the excuse that some of their top floor rooms had been 'damaged' in the recent heavy rains, and that was why there was no accommodation. All in all, a nice holiday, but as it is my third Sri Lankan one, I feel that my luck has run out!!! There was nothing wrong with your drivers [chauffeur guides - Anura and Ranjith] and vehicles, but the standard of English and guiding was lower than I have received on two previous holidays. One last recommendation is that the north end of Sri Lanka's roads are diabolical, and although renovation is promised, I strongly suggest that any one venturing towards Anuradhapura/Trincomalee be advised that they are in for a very rough ride!! Our greatest surprise of the trip was the improvements to the Palm Gardens Village Resort in Anuradhapura. This is now a first class hotel with excellent staff. A few improvements in the Pool area will see it well up with the rest of Sri Lanka's tourist industry. I cannot recommend the Wilpattu National Park either. A huge area of secondary jungle with bad roads, not many animals, apart from a few Deer, and a general desolate air about it. I am sure that its day will come, but probably not in the next few years!!! This is written on our last day as the weather has 'grounded' us in The Wallawwa, and there is an excellent i-Mac here!!! I don't know what you would like to do with the above information, but I would suggest a very strong letter to Jetwing's MD or upper level management, because they are in danger of sabotaging their product if they let the likes of Malaysian tour groups invade their resorts. Their hotel staff however are superb, and their food was excellent too. Thank you for a most enjoyable and 'explosive' holiday!!" Martin & Anne-Marie, Jersey, April 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Not having a room at the last hotel. [Jetwing Beach, Airport was overbooked so the customers were accommodated next door at Jetwing Blue, Airport instead] Any other comments? Would have liked to know a little more about the New Year, April 13/14, before travel. Everywhere really, really busy [so] made journeys very long." Fricker family, Jersey, April 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people, the beauty of it. The rock fortress [Sigiriya], the Royal River Resort [Kitulgala]. Elephants and monkeys. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Nothing. Any other comments? It was a wonderful tour. We had an amazing time. Everyone looked after us very well. Thank you for organising it for us." Kate & Ole, England and Norway, March 2011 Also, see the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review.

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Unspoilt countryside, diversity of sightseeing experiences, friendly people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? [Nothing] Any other comments? I can honestly say that this was one of the best holidays we have had. The organisation was very good and we loved the diverse small hotels we stayed in. Each one was a different experience. We especially liked Villa Rosa in Kandy - the position above the gorge, the cheerful helpful owner and his staff made us wish we could stay much longer. Our driver [guide] - Niroshan - negotiated the mad bus drivers and holes in the road with care and had a good knowledge of the historical sights and wildlife. The only hotel we didn't like - mainly because of the food - was the hotel in Yala, the Priyankara Hotel [Tissamaharama]. Thank you for a wonderful holiday experience. We will definitely be recommending Tikalanka to our friends." Linda & Stephen, England, March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Wonderful people and very relaxing. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? [Nothing] Any other comments? Thank you so much for organising such a fantastic trip. We really appreciated all your organisation, as it made it a very relaxing trip. Our tour guide [Yapa] was excellent and showed us many things that were not included in the itinerary." Andy & Anna, England, March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people, the tea plantations. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? The roads!! Any other comments? We thoroughly enjoyed Sri Lanka and found our tour had been very well organized. All arrangements went to plan, hotels were good. Tea plantation visit and stay excellent. [Castlereagh Bungalow, Adam's Peak] Many thanks." Andrew & Sheila, England, March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Clarity of light - make great photos. Fabulous wildlife - what's left of it. Cheek by jowl communities and faiths; rice and curry and Sri Lankan poppadums. General warmth of people combined with curiosity and aim to please/help. People work so hard. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Traffic, driving, merciless bus drivers in particular; "Blindfold award of the trip" goes to driver of bus #2 at Dodanduwa (Galle Road), registration HV-9367, Matara to Colombo service on 21st March c. 10.30am!! Volume of rubbish and plastic. Plastic tat being sold on too many stalls/shops. Any other comments? Ranjith was exceptional - our guide and friend for three weeks. Whatever you are paying him it isn't enough… he made all the difference going out of his way to make things work and to avoid difficulties. The attitude of hotel staff is in marked contrast to their counterparts in the UK who tend to combine a fixed smile and corporate efficiency. The best holiday ever - we made the right decision. March, too, was a good month to go." Paul & Adeela, England, March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Tea country. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Dirty beaches. Any other comments? A lovely varied holiday with mostly excellent accommodation, which was sadly abruptly ended after our expensive upgrade to Begonia House at Alankuda Beach [Puttalam] was 'upgraded' to a 'quiet' cabana - no sound proofing and a generator at 4.30am closely followed by the neighbours call to prayer - apparently all OK'd by Pathi [Tikalanka's local manager]. When we said it's not what we booked and it is too noisy so we wanted to move we were only given the option of The Wallawwa [Airport] in Colombo or Jetwing Sea [Airport] in Negombo - both of which we stayed in and, as we suspected, the Jetwing Sea was a 'package' hotel and Negombo a 'package' beach - exactly what you had avoided for us until this time. Luckily we had an extra night at Casa Colombo [Colombo] which restored our spirits a little." Karen & Philip, England, February/March 2011

"Well, it was just fab. I am so pleased that we asked you to organize our trip, we would not have had half as good a time if we had tried to do it ourselves. Anura [chauffeur guide] was charming and great fun - he came white water rafting with us and his elephant in the water impression was splendid (not his shape, the elephant snorting noises!). He is a lovely man and took us to all sorts of local places for Sri Lankan rice and curry lunches, much better than our first lunch stop which was designed for tourists, very crowded, overstretched lavatory facilities and boring Western cuisine. The hotels, except for one, were all good although clearly we had our favourites. The Wallawwa [Airport] is just lovely, completely unexpected so close to the airport. Fantastic rooms and wonderful, huge, bathrooms. I would thoroughly recommend the first and perhaps also the second night there after a long tedious flight in preference to slogging into Colombo. My only slight complaint is that it is hard to find, the sign for it is small and on a black flag so easily missed. I had to ask my driver to go to the nearest internet cafe, get the number and call them - clearly not a problem for Charles and Sue as Anura picked them up. But Lake Lodge [Dambulla]. Oh dear. For compassion's sake, you must get hold of the owner and give him some feedback. I don't know what happened here but I suspect that he/she spent a lot of money building it and has since run out of either money or interest but it does seem a shame as it has good potential that is simply wasted. On the good side, my room was well fitted and comfortable with a pleasant bathroom. Charles and Sue were not so happy as they had no bedside tables or lights. The views are lovely, with jungle on one side and the lake on the other. And the staff were attentive and very anxious to please - in fact the manager was so anxious to please I thought he was going to cry when we left. But there the good bits stop. It is as if someone just turned the tap off. No table decorations, no table lamps, no flowers, no sunbed mattresses or towels (actually a mattress turned up but I was already lying on the wooden sunbed), no internet, no TV (during the cricket world cup!), no bar (although you had warned us about that) - it all looked unloved and deserted. For so little more, the owner could have gone to Paradise Road, as The Wallawwa owner had done, and just buy some decorative things to finish it off. On the first night we were the only ones there and on the second, a bewildered couple arrived from Mount Lavinia [Hotel, Colombo] - they just looked desperate. River View Wathsala Inn [Adam's Peak] is exactly as you said, upmarket for backpackers but not in the same league as the others. But excellently placed for Charles and Sue to stagger up and down Adam's Peak - I am so glad I didn't try that, it would have been the end of me as it nearly was for them. They say that they would climb Sigiriya again but not this. Once in a lifetime was enough but it was spectacular, I gather. And a TV in the dining room where we watched the sorry spectacle of Ireland beating England at cricket. Pah! Royal River Resort [Kitulgala] was an unexpected treat. But your description of it misses the most attractive feature, not that it is in a working rubber plantation, which is interesting and different, but that it is built into a river bed and the pool is fed by, and the water crashes down into, a rock pool. The rooms are charming, only four of them, all overhanging the pool below. Big four-poster beds and lots of interesting old furniture. None of us really liked The Blue Water at Wadduwa much, too big and impersonal and clearly designed for package tour holidaymakers (actually, I suppose that we were also on a package tour!) but nothing wrong with it, just not our style. And then, hoorah, Apa Villa Thalpe [Unawatuna]. Really good finale to my holidays although of course Charles and Sue went on. My room was not nearly as nice as Charles and Sue's but had a spectacular bathroom and three beds in it, so ideal for perhaps a small family - anyway, spent no time in it except for sleeping. Again, staff charming, and each room has its' own dining table on a private terrace, beautifully laid with white starched linen table cloths and candles and anti-mozzie stuff under the table. The grounds are not big, but plenty of room for the seven rooms, with sunbeds etc and a long shallow tranquil pool to cool down in. And its' own tuk tuk service for trips to Unawatuna or Galle. So many thanks, John, for organizing it all and at such short notice. We will certainly recommend Tikalanka and wish you and Pathi all the success that you deserve." Gunilla, Charles & Sue, England, February/March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Beautiful place, interesting culture, nice climate, friendly and easy for English speakers. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Chaotic roads. Any other comments? Excellent chauffeur guide (Kapila). Thank you for organizing such a wonderful holiday and our honeymoon gift list." Elizabeth & Gordon, England, February/March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Smiling, friendly people; delicious food; great variety of things to do everyday. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Nothing. Any other comments? Just wanted to let you know we had a truly fantastic time in Sri Lanka. We thought the trip you [John] put together was great, so many different things to do and we loved it all. Excellent, varied itinerary that really suited us. Sena [chauffeur guide] was great. The stay at Hanthana House [Kandy] was wonderful – just loved Pathi and his family, and the food Suba prepared was fab. Thank you!" Caroline & Simon, England, February/March 2011 Also, see the ResponsibleTravel.com holiday review.

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Loved the beach and the resort in Maldives [Medhufushi Island Resort]. Enjoyed the elephant safari, and the sight seeing [in Sri Lanka]. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Weren't too impressed with hotel we stayed in Sigiriya [Sigiriya Village] and Negombo [Villa Araliya, Airport]. Any other comments? Ravi our driver [guide] was really good. He was always on time, very neat and presentable. Very knowledgable about everything. He was always polite. He made our trip to Sri Lanka even more enjoyable." Miren & Akta, England and Kenya, February/March 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Archaeological sites full of interest, climate, food, friendliness of people, superb hotels and service, variety of scenery (coast, hills etc.), wildlife including wonderful birdsong. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Potholes, lack of pavements, toilets at tourist sites, feral dogs (and barking at night). Any other comments? A truly wonderful holiday with just the right balance of sightseeing and relaxation we wanted. We couldn't have asked for a better driver [guide] - Ranjith. We felt in safe hands, even though the style of driving in Sri Lanka is pretty scary! We loved the 'homestay' with Pathi and his family [Hanthana House, Kandy] - one of the highlights of the holiday. We felt like guests rather than merely tourists - a wonderful insight into the way of life." Mary & Colin, England, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Charm and civility of the people. Climate. Natural beauty. "Colonial remains". What did you like least about Sri Lanka? State of the roads/traffic, although we have come across similar in several other countries. Any other comments? Excellent organisation by Tikalanka. 10/10. Accommodation: The Blue Water [Wadduwa] and Apa Villa Thalpe [Unawatuna] are simply class acts. Other hotels were very good, too. Much appreciated a 5-hour stay in a hotel in Colombo rather than going straight to airport. Adored train from Galle to Colombo. The pace of the holiday was perfect for us. We want to return next winter, travelling with Tikalanka. No negative criticisms at all - superb! You will see us again soon! Many, many thanks." Sue & Janet, France, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Scenery and people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? The poverty and mess (plastic bags). Any other comments? We had a wonderful and well organised holiday in Sri Lanka. Our driver and guide, Niroshan, was excellent and most helpful." Ernst & Barbara, England and Germany, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Variety, people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Tipping, rain, rubbish disposal (lack of it). Any other comments? Impressed with organisation, guide [Yapa] and standard of hotels." Kevin & Caroline, England, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? People. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Variable quality hotels plus SriLankan Airlines. Any other comments? Hotel Glendower [Nuwara Eliya] was particularly poor, the accommodation was damp, poor quality and half board menu was very poor. We would not recommend this hotel to others. Also, SriLankan Airlines was terrible! If we had a choice we would not fly with them again!" Catherine & Andrew, England, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Hill Country, Yala West NP. Ellerton (Kandy), Kulu Safaris (Yala). What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Weather! Being put under pressure to buy, when not interested (although Egypt far worse at this). Any other comments? Sena, our guide, was a very pleasant, helpful, interesting and knowledgeable guide, especially on historical and Buddhist information, although we did find some of his monologues on Buddhism a little long-winded! He was also a careful driver, particularly in very difficult and slightly hazardous conditions, at times. Lake Lodge, Dambulla - Comfortable, good food, and very pleasant and attentive staff. Would have been very pleasant if it had not rained all the time we were there! We were disappointed to miss the views. Ellerton, Kandy - Excellent in every way, to be highly recommended. Well-appointed rooms; well-trained, very professional and attentive staff; good food and free drinks and even free laundry! Jetwing Warwick Gardens, Nuwara Eliya - A lovely house in a splendid location. But we had a couple of problems, due we felt to poor management, while the only waiter seemed to be doing everything. Our reception was good with hot tea and coffee served at once. However, after arriving wet and cold, the fires in our rooms were not lit and there was a problem with hot water for showers, and one member of our party got the same meal as the rest of us despite having ordered something different. The road was suffering from subsidence which made it very difficult in a minibus, although less of a problem in a car. Ambiente Mount Resort, Ella - Basic, as we expected, but clean. Food disappointing, though. The view was fantastic if a bit hazy. Kulu Safaris, Yala - Excellent in every way, to be highly recommended. Very friendly staff, food some of the best we had anywhere, and a very good driver/game warden. Our reception was excellent with first a cold drink and then lunch within a few minutes of our arrival. In fact our whole stay was extremely enjoyable with very good service by all the staff, comfortable tents with our own loo next door, hot showers, wonderful food and all drinks, and very enthusiastic game drives. Palace Mirissa, Mirissa - A lovely setting but the service was almost non-existent once we had checked in - only one rather overworked waiter in the dining room! Nice swimming pool but the beach was quite a long walk. Closenberg Hotel, Galle - A beautiful place, very comfortable, good food, pleasant staff and excellent service. Galle Face Hotel, Colombo - An interesting experience to stay here. The rooms [Spa Deluxe Room] very comfortable, but the staff less than helpful. We found the service rather impersonal. We were unlucky in that when we arrived in the Cultural Triangle, we had a lot of rain and the area was suffering from flooding. This meant that we couldn't visit Minneriya NP, as the roads in the park were unusable. Instead we had a rather expensive elephant back ride! [Tikalanka Tours does not arrange elephant rides due to concerns about the welfare of animals] When we arrived in Anuradhapura, the area was being evacuated as there was fear that a local tank [reservoir] was about to burst its banks. As we had already driven though flooded roads to get there, we were anxious to return to Dambulla, and so had to miss out on Mihintale as well. We were due to see the Kandyan Dancers after a busy day in and around Kandy. However, the road to Ellerton took at least an hour and was very difficult in the dark, so we decided (and Sena agreed) to get back to Ellerton in daylight and enjoy the tranquillity there, but that did mean missing out on the dancing. We were meant to go to Horton Plains. However, our guide, Sena, dissuaded us by saying that it would be muddy, steep in places, with steps, and he didn't think would we would manage the 3-hour walk. So we took his advice and agreed not to go. However, over dinner that night the other guests said they had been and enjoyed it, he found it manageable, and there were walks of different lengths. By this time it was too late as the jeep had been cancelled, but we did feel we had missed out unnecessarily. The rest of the itinerary worked according to plan, with a number of extra visits on the way - e.g. to a lace making centre, wood carving centres, Batik centre, guided tour round a spice and herb garden, a good walk at Ella Gap, visits to several museums, stops at beaches and fishing harbours and a very enjoyable boat trip on the River Madu to a lagoon [near Ahungalla]. It was a most enjoyable holiday, (despite the poor weather in the first few days), with so many different sights and experiences, and we came home with many happy memories. Our last night in Colombo was the Navam Maha Perahera [elephant parade at the Buddhist temple of Gangaramaya], and Sena took us to buy tickets for seats to watch it. What a magnificent spectacle, and what better way to finish a really good holiday!" Eileen, Caroline, Ruth & Gilli, England, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The weather, the friendliness of the people, the food, the sea. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Long transfer times despite the distances not being that great. Any other comments? Talalla Retreat [Tangalle] was great. Galle was a great city to visit. Colombo was a disappointment and so was the much hyped Galle Face Hotel [Colombo]. Although staff smiled occasionally, there was generally not the feeling that they really wanted to help us, e.g. arranging a tuk-tuk. Service was really slow - breakfast and high tea buffets were so busy and came as a bit of a culture shock after the peaceful time at Talalla. Transfers all worked really well - drivers were punctual and drove very well. I hope these comments help. We had a great holiday in Sri Lanka. All worked very well. Thanks for arranging it. We did things the wrong way round though - The Wallawwa [Airport] was exceptional and the best - so we ended up going from the best to the worst - although the Galle Face is hardly a bad hotel!" Volker, Daniela & Malin, England and Germany, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Weather, people, wildlife, food, accommodation. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Not keen on eating large lunch in Sri Lanka everyday. Got to airport late from Maldives going home. Any other comments? As mentioned earlier, we were half board, but felt we had to eat a large lunch where guide took us, most food not great. Just wanted a snack. Wait at Malé airport [Maldives] huge so nearly missed flight, got there with 3 minutes to spare, very stressful. Guide (Upul) charming and helpful. Maldives paradise. [Filitheyo Island Resort] Good holiday experience, well planned, people charming. Have been back a couple of weeks now - sorry not to have contacted you sooner. My wife sent the feedback form through to you but just wanted to add what an amazing time we had! The whole holiday was fabulous. Sri Lanka facinating but by the end of our 8 day stay there we were quite tired as we had done so much. Would not have wanted it any other way however and the 5 days then in the Maldives was a perfect way of relaxing! Upul was an excellent guide. I have e-mailed him since our return but have not heard back from him yet. I think I have managed to pursuade at least one, possibly two other couples that we know into investigating holidays with Tikalanka! We would certainly not rule out a return trip at some stage in the future also. Thanks for everything." Bill & Caroline, England, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The people, the countryside. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? The roads. Any other comments? John, many thanks for organizing the tour for us. We all really enjoyed it. Our guide, Anura, was really good. An excellent driver, and very knowledgeable re wildlife. He was, however, very difficult to understand because of his accent and the fact that he is a quiet speaker. We also found that his chats around the cultural triangle were a little limited. Overall though, a great guy! Please pass on our warmest thanks. One more thing, Anura organized for us to go Whale watching whilst we were at Galle. We had a great day out, and would strongly recommend this to others. Perhaps it should be included in your brochures and/or website? [It is already included at Mirissa]" Brian, Marilyn, David & Margaret, Spain and England, February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The friendliness of the people. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? The rain. Any other comments? Our guide [Niroshan] was excellent and made the holiday really enjoyable. The only reason we will never return is that we never do, however we would strongly recommend our friends to visit the country." Caroline & Christopher, England, February 2011

"We have just completed the holiday questioner that you sent, however we felt it most inadequate to express our true thanks to you and your team in Sri Lanka. Our holiday was amazing, despite the atrocious weather we experienced during the first week, and our guide, Kapila, was excellent in every way: always on time and well presented. The car was always clean and tidy and he put himself out to please us in every way. We had the pleasure of meeting Pathi [local manager] while we were in Kandy, again this was down to Kapila suggesting that we took an extra trip for two nights and we understand this was made possible due to all the efforts made by yourself [John] on our behalf. It was an amazing trip, so a big thank you to all concerned for suggesting and making this possible; it was a wonderful experience. What we have come home with is a good understanding of the people, the history of the country, their ways and beliefs. Being such a small country, to have survived such devastation etc, we feel we have learned so much from them. Thank you once again for all your input making our holiday to Sri Lanka a most memorable one." Ann-Marie & Ken, England, January/February 2011

"We had a fantastic trip. Really loved Sri Lanka and its warm friendly people. The contrasts in the terrain were superb; beautiful beaches to exciting national park to majestic hill country to frenetic city. We loved it all! Ravi, our driver [guide], was great - really good driver and also very knowledgeable about birds. We would recommend all the hotels we stayed in other than Turtle Bay [Tangalle]. The room was wonderful but the restaurant left a lot to be desired both in terms of food, inflated drinks prices (Rs500 for a beer), inexperienced waiting staff, poor air circulation (and therefore very hot and uncomfortable). There were 3 issues that caused us some stress and were avoidable. Firstly, having got to Club Villa [Bentota] at 6am Sunday morning, we arranged to meet Ravi at 11.00am on the Monday morning. On Sunday night Christine received a phone call from Pathi [local manager] on the hotel phone to say that Ravi was not available until Wednesday as he was engaged in other work and would meet us on 5.00pm Wednesday afternoon. It was our understanding that Ravi would be available to us as and when we needed him. Ravi turned up at 3.00pm on Wednesday and fortunately we happened to be at the hotel and we agreed with him that the next time we would see him was when we left to move on. We think Ravi also felt uncomfortable about what had happened. Secondly, after a long 7.5 hours' drive from Yala to the hill country, Ravi took us to the Castlereagh bungalow [Ceylon Tea Trails, Adam's Peak], which was where he was instructed to take us. Our booking showed we were at Tientsin bunglaow, but Ravi said the booking had been checked that morning with Pathi. When we arrived at Castlereagh it was all very embarrassing and we were not booked in there. We then had a further 50-minute journey to Tientsin, arriving in the dark with everyone about to sit down for dinner. The staff at both bungalows dealt with it really well and were very supportive and accommodating. However, it should not have happened. Thirdly, when we arrived at the Galle Face Hotel [Colombo], they claimed not to have a reservation for us at all! It took 50 minutes to sort this out. Apparently Pathi had booked the room in the name of Tony Sharp not Charles Sharp, which is the name on my passport and which the hotel obviously use to identify the reservation. Eventually when it was clarified that did have a reservation, the room was not ready despite it being mid-afternoon and the hotel policy being that rooms should be ready by 2.00pm. It was not available to us until 4.00pm. John, there was a change of planes on the return journey and we were able to travel Economy Plus. We had to pay the additional GBP50 per person. As we have already paid this to you, we assume you will reimburse. [All monies reimbursed to customers] There were many highlights, particularly Ceylon Tea Trails and Kulu Safaris [Yala] and we do not wish to be too negative but thought it important these things were drawn to your attention. We will return to Sri Lanka, hopefully in the not too distant future." Tony & Christine, England, January/February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Birds, National Parks, Hill Country and tea plantation views. Appreciated the non-stop flight from London Heathrow [SriLankan Airlines]. Also paid the extra GBP50 per person per flight for Economy Plus (small, quiet cabin at front - well worth it!). Relaxing for 3 days on the coast after long flight was an excellent idea. Seeing a variety of places, villages, hotels and guesthouses in our travel. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Coffee! So, we drank tea!! Roads, distances and driving. Road conditions in some areas were very poor, from a combination of rains, lack of investment and poor maintenance. It made covering middling distances quite tedious. And has anyone ever mentioned the standard of driving?! Any other comments? Ranweli Holiday Village, Airport. Individual bungalows most with sea view and sitting area. Size good, cleanliness good although in the warm climate there is a tendency to black mould around bathroom and moist places. Aircon in rooms. Food and beverages - buffet style and a mix of local and 'special' e.g. European, Chinese, BBQ served outside on various days. Well done and good food, but don't be late to service! A large site with ferry access. Good birds around the grounds, but expensive trips. Boardwalk can't be used without a guide - just walk around the site and across on the ferry to local village. No beach touts except Anthoney and Ollie. Just be aware they will ask and try to cajole you into boat trips, fish meals etc. Overall a very good start to holiday - relaxed and easy. No Wi-Fi but I think internet available in the Office. Palm Garden Village Hotel, Anuradhapura. Individual blocks of double and triple rooms. Really well spaced out over huge grounds. Planted with a variety of trees and shrubs making an attractive garden. Nice quality hotel with spacious Reception (beware mozzies), Bar and sitting area with free Wi-Fi. Restaurant ambience very good but food lacked imagination. Large bed. Aircon. 4-poster with mozzie net (as you see mozzies can be a problem). Marvellous lake at the back of the gardens, full of birdlife, well worth a walk especially at sundown for magical pictures. Deer Park Hotel, Polonnaruwa. Large room, but quite dark. Settee and armchairs for reading. Big bed. Aircon. Bathroom has an indoor/outdoor shower arrangement and we had a shower with a mix of hot water from the shower head and cold rainwater through the open roof! Weird and fun! Wi-Fi in reception area but by dongle which costs Rs250 per hour. Didn't have time to check out the swimming pool, but it looked fine. Restaurant was large and food acceptable in terms of choice, but I thought breakfast very poor. Ayurvedic [spa] area very smart. Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya. Accept intention to be 'local and ecological' but that doesn't mean old, tatty, outdated and decidedly shabby is acceptable for accommodation. Our room was all of the above and it had a thin connecting door to the next room so we heard talking nad noises made by our neighbours. Certainly unacceptable. Asked for another room as we are here for 2 nights, but were told the Hotel was full and maybe there will be a better room tomorrow. Upul met us at 09.00 and when we said we were unhappy with the room he arranged with a Bellboy to change rooms while we were at Sigiriya Rock. True to word, now in a much better room with tele, decent furniture and 2 beds together. Apparently a 'superior room'. They were very accommodating and let us use the email to check. No Wi-Fi in hotel, just in the office at a charge. The little farm at the back of the Hotel has seen better days - I'm sure in its origins it was well done , but all that remains really working is the Piggery. About 200 pigs and piglets of varying ages in pens of varying sizes. Lots and lots of squealing at feeding time and they saw others getting fed and waiting is not easy if you are a pig! Very wet the day I went to look, muddy and it had been raining for weeks - perhaps the farm could look better - but it seems one of those good ideas that has fallen a bit by the wayside. Amaya Hills, Kandy. A formidable drive to a formidable height above Kandy. Yes, everyone says the road needs to be improved, but it's worth the drive up. Hospitality is first class - all done with grace and a smile. The other half had 'loose motions' and was immediately given a potion of Angostura bitters and lime. Tasted vile but did the trick. There is a culture in the Hotel of caring for the guests and having a pride in the Hotel. Room adequate size with a balcony looking out above Kandy and to the hills and mountains beyond - really lovely. Bathroom small with only an over-bath shower. Food excellent in a comfortable restaurant, plenty of choice for a variety of tastes. Overall a very good experience. Wi-Fi in rooms. Many local weddings have photos taken here - girls in particular look stunning. River View Wathsala Inn, Adam's Peak. A basic backpackers place trying, with limited success, to expand and appeal to a broader clientele. People come here who want to climb Adam's Peak mountain for religious reasons, for fun, for penance, for the challenge of 4200 steps to the Monastery at the top and a view of the sunrise. Tablecloths grubby, food execrable (noodles with vegetable = a joke!). However, the tables gave a view of the lighted path all the way up to the Monastery which has a halo of gold light around it. That was lovely, and enhanced the gentle tones of Buddhist chanting mingling with the gurgle of the stream below. Rooms absurdly basic, no chairs, mattress 3 inches thick, top sheet just a single put on sideways!, blanket in gaudy colours - with added stains! Door made with half inch gap in centre, no bed lights. Bathroom even worse, pathetic shower, water leaking over floor from washbasin, grubby towels, toilet was OK! No internet or Wi-Fi. Over extension and illogical planning make this a place to avoid. Jetwing Warwick Gardens, Nuwara Eliya. Almost an hour drive along a muddy, rocky and scary road through market garden of Nuwara Eliya. Not helped by almost 3 months of rain, finally arrived at the bungalow. A haven of colonial gentile-ness. A baby grand piano , beautiful antique furniture, a massive acacia dining table set beautifully, agapanthus fresh flowers on the table. Only 5 rooms. Our bathroom has a massive rainfall shower cubicle. What luxury, soft lovely sheets and 2 proper pillows, huge drapes covering the windows. We showered and then changed for dinner and met the other 6 guests. Civilised G&T with general introductions, then called to the table for a 5 course meal which was beautifully served and was very good! It rained when we were there but the gardens are carefully tended, in among the tea plantation. 1 large flat screen TV in communal area. No Wi-Fi. Well worth the rocky, muddy road trip. Lovely experience. Ambiente Mount Resort, Ella. At Ella Gap a variety of hostels and guesthouses have grown up, taking advantage of the magnificent view down to the plains below. We arrived during unseasonal rain pour (Early Feb). This guesthouse has got stunning views - the perfect position. My uncle, who was in property used to say 'position, position, position are the 3 most important things when considering a house'. Fine, but this place hasn't much else. 3 dogs, constantly scratching… decrepit furniture, the most disgusting bedside mats I've ever seen, tired and dated things around the dining/communal area, no hot water shower in the morning, tatty curtains and 3 inch mattress in bedroom. It really only has the view (and we didn't even get that because of the rain). The food was also [poor. We ordered vegetable curry - there was no spiciness at all. Bland and served on chipped plates. No internet or television. Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama. Nice small hotel. Reasonable sized rooms with quality furniture and good beds. Looks out over rice fields. Good pool for swimming, the egrets fly into the pond next to you. Very pleasant food in an attractive dining room and verandah with large windows overlooking the garden. Cheerful and helpful staff. Wi-Fi in Reception area - but beware there are mozzies lurking under the chairs waiting to bite the tender places, as it's not A/C. Wander behind the hotel on the local road for small houses and gardens alive with birds, in one field we saw a peacock displaying. Also a small road leads to the edge of the lake with water birds. Palace Mirissa, Mirissa. Small hotel with 13 individual hexagonal cabanas - each with painted ceilings and furniture. Very clean with A/C - small tiled bathroom with hot water from solar panels. Overlooks well-kept gardens, a small but adequate swimming pool and coconut palms in the grounds. Watch at dusk as the peacocks make their way to the top of the palm trees to roost for the night! Small restaurant, but the chef while we were there had a very good palate, the salads were well presented and delicious, the 6 main dishes also very well cooked. Food excellent. Absolutely lovely to sit overlooking the sea on the restaurant lawn. Totally peaceful, only the noise of the waves breaking on the rocks well below. Internet in front office available for checking emails and news, but no Wi-Fi. From here a 10-minute walk to the fishing harbour and the start of the Whale chasing operation. About 10 boats of various sizes were out on the day we went. Tally: 6 spouts, 4 backs, 2 tails, 2 sick bags! Closenberg Hotel, Galle. Arrival coincided with a wedding. Not just any wedding, but one that President Rajapaksa and his brother had been invited to. Security 'suits' abounded, and outside the security and army men semi blocked the entry road. Chaos at Reception and one 'suit' asked for our bags to be checked before going into the Hotel, but Upul (our guide) told them in no uncertain terms that our bags could not be opened there, if they wanted to see them they would have to be examined in a private room. 'Oh, OK we don't need to see them'! The President duly arrived, and smiled his way through photos. Colonial 120 year old grandeur. Grand now faded and left with a bit of 'eur'. Having said that there's a certain charm still, the white balustrades that are covered in bougainvillea look out over the bay of Galle towards a white Buddha, the large open dining room is full of polished mahogany tables. 2 large and 4 small grotesque attempts at coral gardens in the middle of the dining room just serve to be obstructions. Waiters are old retainers and have difficulty with breakfast service for 16 rooms (max). We were much amused by one we nicknamed 'Manuel' - he really is a bit of a joke (and useless). Food acceptable but not their attempts at English/European food in the evening. Route chosen: we followed a well-tried route. We felt the Adam's Peak 'day' wasn't realistically do-able. Getting up at 2am and climbing/de-climbing 4200 steps, then driving on to Nuwara Eliya plus a visit to Victoria Park [bird watching excursion] - just too much! Driver/Guide: so much depends on the compatibility of the 'match'. We had asked for a reasonably knowledgeable 'birder' - and we got Upul. He proved to be an excellent match for us. Kind, thoughtful, organised, a keen amateur birder, a devout Buddhist and most amiable companion. He was completely honest. He never tried to take us to 'special shops' where he might get a percentage. He was always conscious of our welfare and very good at sorting out any problems. Slight adjustments to the itinerary were easily dealt with and overall our experience of Sri Lanka with Upul as a guide was excellent. He is a credit to Tikalanka Tours." Iris & Brian, England, January/February 2011

"Well, it didn't start off too well as John [my husband] thought he had booked a complementary taxi to the airport and back but when he went on line the day before to check, he discovered that the taxi had been booked for the return flight but not for getting there. He did phone up and they offered us a taxi which would have got us there with little time to spare, so in the end we got our son to drive us to the airport. The flights [Business Class with Emirates] there and back were very good and Ravi [chauffeur guide] was waiting for us on arrival. Lake Lodge at Dambulla was very relaxing after the flight and the drive there. The food and service were excellent. We found the holiday very interesting but quite exhausting as, once we got off the main roads, the side roads (or tracks) were very potholed and in several places almost nonexistent. We were driving for several hours on many of the days and after being jolted and bounced around for hours on end we were very glad to reach our destination. Ravi was an excellent driver and how he made it through all the tuk-tuks, bikes, scooters, dogs and people wandering into the road in front of him, I don't know. Ellerton [Kandy] was again very relaxing and the garden was so full of wonderful flowers, it was a delight to wander round it. We managed the ascent of Sigiriya [rock fortress] and after that the 'gentle' ascent of the temple [at Dambulla]. The next day our calves were suffering! The [Peradeniya] Botanical Gardens at Kandy were very interesting and Ravi organised a guide to take us round, which was really good. The journey up to Tea Plantations was very tiring although going round the tea factory was very interesting. When we got to Horton Plains, we had a lovely walk but getting there and back was an absolute nightmare as the roads were so bad and we had just about had enough of being jolted by the end of the journey. We were very lucky with the weather as it was clear blue sky for the whole time we were there so the views were fantastic. We were not impressed with Yala Village [Yala]. We had 5 hours of 'safari' [Yala West National Park] in the morning where we were again jolted and bounced around whilst the driver was trying to find wildlife! As there were innumerable other vehicles also travelling at breakneck speed in all directions, the chances of seeing very much was remote. Then we had to return to our room to pack as our room had been double booked so we were going on elsewhere. We had been told we could stay in the room until 2.00pm so we had just fallen asleep at 12.30pm when they rang to say could we leave the room as the new occupants had arrived. We had another safari in the afternoon - another 3 hours of being jolted and a complete waste of time. By now we were also covered in a lovely layer of orange dust so were really glad when we went to our new overnight stay - a lovely hotel with shower, comfy bed and good food [Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama] - a vast improvement on Yala Village. The Last House [Tangalle] was again wonderful and the architecture and design of the building absolutely fascinating. Another awful journey before we arrived at Rainforest Edge [Sinharaja]. We discovered our bed had a big dip in it so didn't get much sleep that night so the next night we moved rooms. It was very dark at night and we needed our torches to make sure we weren't going to fall over any obstacles. Next day we had a very nice walk [Sinharaja National Park] apart from the leeches which attached themselves to our shoes socks and legs every few minutes. The walk lasted 3 hours before it started to rain. We then went on to Galle [41 Lighthouse Street] where Ravi left us as he had been told by his boss to go and pick up somebody else. He said that a new guide would be contacting us about what was happening the following day. Nobody did so we had a very pleasant walk around the walls by ourselves. Once we left the fort and went to view the cricket pitch, we were constantly hassled so we retreated back to the sanctuary of the walled fort. Nobody had contacted us by the afternoon so we rang the phone number that you gave us and were told the time of being picked up the following day and that we would be doing the mangroves on the way to Reef [Wadduwa]. Ravi appeared again the following morning and took us to the 'boat safari'. We have to say it was the biggest rip off of the holiday. The boat zoomed off down the river and suddenly stopped and a local in another boat dumped a monkey on my lap for a photo shot. Then we went to an island where we were shown some spices being grown (We had already been to a spice farm) and were expected to buy some. Then we went to a temple on another island "which was only maintained by visitors' donations" and expected to donate and lastly we were shown some fish in nets which we could feed (at a price) and a baby crocodile which we could hold (for even more rupees) Our boat driver did point out at least 2 different birds and of course we were expected to tip him too. After this Ravi took us to a turtle conservation project. I asked Ravi if this was a government sponsored project and he said it was a private concern. IF it was a genuine project then I was quite happy to pay to go in the place but by this time I was left wondering if it was genuine or yet another scam to take the tourists money. And then on to Reef which would have been Paradise except for the sand flies which just loved our DEET covered legs and the fact that it rained a lot of the time. However it was totally relaxing and the food and service were superb. That was the last we saw of Ravi as somebody else came to take us to the airport and then it was home and our taxi was waiting at Manchester airport." Linda & John, England, January/February 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Sri Lanka - Interesting and friendly people, beautiful sights. Maldives - Beautiful beaches, warm sea. What did you like least about Sri Lanka and the Maldives? Sri Lanka - Harrassment from street sellers and beggars. Also, pressurised selling at temples and batik visit etc. Maldives - Nothing. Any other comments? Kapila, our chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka, was excellent. Detailed knowledge of sites visited and always happy to adjust itinerary to our needs. A good driver, too. Happy to suggest sights and stops en route. The service provided by John at Tikalanka from first contact right through to completion of holiday has been excellent. The only hiccup (re our Gold All Inclusive on Komandoo [Maldives Island Resort]) was quickly corrected when brought to his attention. Many thanks - we hope to use you again in the future and will certainly recommend you to friends and family. Already recommended you to fellow travellers." Graham & Sue, England, January 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? Variety: combination of cultural sites, unspoilt and uncrowded beaches, bird-watching/wildlife etc. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? Tipping! - and bad roads. Any other comments? Many thanks again for an enjoyable holiday - in spite of previous heavy rain, sickness etc." Ruth & Jean, England, January 2011

"What did you like most about Sri Lanka? The gentle people and atmosphere, and the wildlife and scenery. What did you like least about Sri Lanka? The potholes in the roads - but even they meant you had to drive slowly and absorb the scenery around you. Any other comments? A truly fabulous holiday! It was so well arranged - all the hotels were charming in different ways and the trips and activities were interesting and fun. Our guide, Sena, was a real star. He smoothed out our journey so we just sailed through the trip. He was knowledgeable, kind and friendly and became the fifth member of our family on the tour. Thanks for arranging such a great trip for us!" Sarah, Fiona, Bob & Sheila, England, January 2011

For more customer comments from previous years, please click on the links below:

• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005