13 Things You Miss When You Move Away From Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of those magical places which is both difficult to leave and impossible to forget. There are a whole host of things you would pine away for on departure, such as the fantastic food, vibrant culture, beautiful landscape and sheer warmth of the people.

Sunshine

One thing you will be sure to miss is the year-round sunshine that Sri Lanka is blessed with. On a wet and windy day back home, fond memories of basking in 30 – 40 degrees centigrade will come flooding back.

Diverse Landscapes

This paradise island is small, but perfectly formed – with a great variety of landscapes to enjoy exploring. These range from lush beaches to tropical rainforests, to the cooler climes of the hill country, complete with waterfalls.

Abundant Wildlife

Sri Lanka is literally teeming with wildlife, and is home to 219 species of bird alone. Life will seem boring without baby chipmunks prancing on your window sill, monkeys bounding around on your roof, fruit bats swooping overhead, or huge iguanas casually crossing the road.

Exotic Fruits

A fantastic variety of fruits are available all year round, ranging from well-known ones such as papaya, watermelon, bananas (try the small sweet ones), and pineapples, to ones you may never have heard of, but will grow to love, such as woodapple (which tastes like caramelised apple), jackfruit (excellent in a curry – has the same texture as chicken), rambutan, mangosteen and durian.

King coconuts

Sold at the side of the road everywhere, these large yellow coconuts are the best way to beat dehydration and are also very nutritious. A top tip – once you have finished drinking it, get it cut open and you can eat the delicious jelly inside. Back home you might still be able buy coconut water, but it just won’t be the same from a bottle.

Spicy curries

Sri Lanka is famous for its spicy curries, and rightly so. Typically around 14 different spices along with garlic, onion and coconut milk are used to create an amazing taste. The memory of a Sri Lankan chicken curry or a hot Jaffna crab curry will have you salivating long after your trip.

Sunsets

Not many things on this earth can beat relaxing on a Sri Lankan beach, sipping a king coconut and watching the sun go down in a blaze of glory.

Tuk tuks

More commonly known as a “three-wheeler” on the island, these iconic modes of transport are a godsend to time-pressed travelers, as they are able to nip up the tiniest of gaps. Before you know it you have your regular driver, who knows all your favourite haunts. Definitely something you will remember with a pang of regret next time you are stuck in a jam.

Ayuveda

This millennia-old traditional medicine is widely practised on the island, and uses many of its indigenous plants. Many visitors find Ayuveda’s holistic approach extremely beneficial, and keep coming back to Sri Lanka for more treatments, as they miss it so much when they are away.

Ethical produce

From clothes to household and food products, there has been a recent wave of sustainable and ethical products made by social enterprises. These not only look or taste amazing, but also give you a real feel-good factor knowing that you are helping to empower producers. Shop at places such as The Good Market in Colombo to discover more.

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Streetlife

In Sri Lanka just walking down the street you are confronted by a vibrant mix of sights, sounds and smells. You never can be sure what to expect. At times it can be interesting, at other times just plain infuriating. One thing is for sure – life back home will always seem way too predictable after experiencing the buzz of Sri Lankan streets.

Colourful festivals

Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural and religious mix means that there are a whole host of colourful festivals to be enjoyed, such as Vesak Poya – The Festival of Lights, or Kandy Esala Perahera, also known as The Festival of the Tooth.

Genuine smiles

The thing you will definitely miss the most is how the Sri Lankan people have such heartfelt smiles. Carry them in your heart, and help spread some warmth and vibrancy from this special island around the world.