On your way to Yala stop over at Hikkaduwa beach, Sri Lanka

"Hikkaduwa was exactly what I had expected. Beachfront bars, restaurants and colourful shops " - ARJUN THOMAS of the Indian dialy, The Hindu, recently visited Sri Lanka.


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“Paradise” is still the most common word used by tourists to describe the lush island of golden beaches and brilliant blue waters. My friends and I decided that it was time to unleash our tropical side and experience for ourselves the much-talked-about magic of Sri Lanka and what better time to enjoy the sun and sand than during the famous Hikkaduwa Beach Festival!


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The island kept up its promise of being a friendly nation right from the Bandaranayake International airport with its courteous and smiling immigration officers to the locals of the villages and cities.


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The exchange rate is a definite ‘upper’ with a dollar (that I got for 48 Indian rupees) going for 114 Sri Lankan! But don’t be fooled. Sri Lanka is an expensive country and the feeling of being rich didn’t last long!


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The drive to Colombo took longer than the said 40 minutes with bouts of traffic congesting the already bustling streets. However, the city of Colombo was a treat! It is clean, with tree-lined wide roads, great shops and restaurants. The apartment we stayed in overlooked the ocean and was set in the middle of a residential area neighbouring a deliciously stylish restaurant, café and lifestyle boutique. Continued..