Fiona & Neil
Scotland, January/February 2017
What did you like most about Sri Lanka?
Scenery was stunning. People were very friendly and went out of their way to be helpful.
We saw a huge number of birds and had great viewing of whales which was one our main aims so we were delighted with that.
The guide in Sinharaja Forest was first class and explained such a lot it was hard to take it all in.
What did you like most about Maldives?
As above. Maldives is everything you see in the pictures and a whole lot more. The staff in Filitheyo [Island Resort] were a delight and couldn’t be more helpful or personable if they tried.
What did you like least about Sri Lanka?
Yala National Park. Driver discipline was appalling and behaviours is certainly not in the interests of the wildlife in the park. [We have a very good local jeep safari provider which only employs responsible drivers sensitive to the needs of the animals. Unfortunately, due to Yala’s increasing popularity, there are a number of other companies that behave inappropriately towards the wild animals in the park and we have made complaints to the local authorities through our jeep safari provider. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the National Parks authority to police the behaviour of licensed jeep drivers and we have approached our colleagues in Sri Lanka to impress upon the National Parks authority of the urgent need of affirmative action in this regard.]
What did you like least about Maldives?
Prices are astronomical. We were glad to be all inclusive but extra drinks and activities were very expensive. Perhaps if they cost less more people would do them and they would effectively gain more profit?
Other than that, leaving to come home was the worst moment of the holiday.
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Sri Lanka?
The hotel in Galle [Fort Bliss] was perfect, just the right standard to arrive to. Peaceful Chalet [Sinharaja Rest, Deniyaya] was also lovely although we had some concerns about being padlocked into the compound at night. The atmosphere at sinharaja lodge [Rest] was lovely with everyone eating around one table.
Kithala hotel [Resort, Tissamaharama] was a bit posher than we anticipated but the pool was welcome. However we had been enjoying eating in local restaurants or very simple food and would have preferred to have continued along this line here as well.
The hotel at Mirissa [Paradise Beach Club] was a bit more touristy than we would choose and again we would probably have preferred bed and breakfast. It’s easier to say that in hindsight, before we went we were glad to be on half board as we didn’t realise how easy it would be to eat in restaurants.
The final hotel in Negombo [Villa Araliya] was perfect, small and intimate with really lovely staff.
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Maldives?
Accommodation – Very good (5/5)
Beach – Very good (5/5)
Food – Very good (5/5)
Service – Very good (5/5)
Snorkelling – Very good (5/5)
Spa – Good (4/5)
Transfer (seaplane) – Very good (5/5)
Overall experience – Very good (5/5)
What is your opinion of your chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka?
Yapa was very pleasant but did very little guiding. He drove us to each place but didn’t know the way a number of times.
As a guide he provided us with very little.
He did provide an alternative activity for us one day when we were concerned about the amount of travel to the turtle beach at night which we were very grateful for. He also took us to an extra excursion at the same time which was very interesting.
Cynically we suspect there was an element of self interest in this as he wasn’t keen to do the drive. However we were in total agreement with this approach so would not want to be too critical of it.
The weather on the first game drive in Yala was appalling and we saw next to nothing. It was fairly clear to us that Yapa was not keen to do the late afternoon drive however we remind firm that we would do it if the weather improved (which it did) and the trip went ahead
On the plus side Yapa was extremely prompt and always ensured that we had full information for each pick up and meal arrangements.
What is your opinion of your flights to and from Sri Lanka and Maldives?
Etihad [Economy Class from Edinburgh] was excellent. Could not fault them in any way.
Any other comments?
While this was the trip we requested, in retrospect, we both felt that we had not done Sri Lanka justice and should have included some cultural and other experiences e.g. tea plantation, temple and /or travel a bit further afield.
We were both keen to have some beach time at the end but having experienced the beach in Mirissa do not regret making the decision to go to Maldives. I don’t think either of us realised it was possible to relax quite so much.
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