Entirely Retired Travel

18/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Days 13 to 17 - The Maldives

We finished our part of the Sri Lankan tour with the main group by dressing in trad sarongs and having cocktails made from “extra strong” (about 40% proof) Arrack, their local coconut-derived alcohol. Holey moley it got the party started!

Great bunch of interesting seasoned travellers that we shared this time with - we were grateful for good group and fun adventures.

It was a 4 hour drive the next day from the centre of Sri Lanka to the international airport to get a midday plane to Male in The Maldives. After being told the flight was oversold and we had to wait until the 6pm flight, a surprise upgrade to business class had us in a better mood. Stepping out of the airport and into a jet boat for our transfer was a unique experience.

We had been relocated to a different Adaaran resort than we booked but were thrilled to enjoy our overwater sunset villa with Japanese theme and private lounge pool & whirlpool bath, so private and glorious being above the pristine waters of the coral reef.

The next days were spent walking the very long jetty to get to the tiny island the resort was on, snorkelling, swimming, dining and enjoying cocktails, but mostly resting after a busy tour. We enjoyed the Japanese restaurant and barefoot beach seafood dining experiences, and the fine dining restaurant for all other meals, but really only ate twice a day with some fruit. It was 27 overnight and 31 during the day, quite warm!

We were treated to two cruises at sunset and to see the dolphins. When we left our only outgoing expense was a tip for our butler who deserved every cent. What an experience! Such a beautiful place and many more islands and resorts to discover on future visits!

Our return home after The Maldives was uneventful, with plenty of memories photos and videos to process and reflect on.

Next travels for Entirely Retired Travel is coming up in May/June 2026 when we return to Europe to more fully explore France and Italy with a delightful combo of land and sea touring. Stay tuned! Thanks for following along.
Helen and Tony

16/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Day 11 & 12 - Sigiriya cooking demo, Polonnaruwa Ancient City and Sigiriya Rock hike, Sri Lanka

We had some free time this morning and revelled in not having a wake-up call from reception! The Executive Chef and his team took us through how to cook 4-5 dishes including curries which we then got to eat for lunch - and armed with the recipes we will try these at home for sure. Yum!

Wandering the ancient city of Polonnaruwa was so interesting, where they have progressed the archeological dig to reveal the council chambers, the sacred quadrangle, the King’s Palace, the main temple (still active) and various other buildings. We were fascinated with the amount of small clay bricks it had taken the ancient Sri Lankans to build everything, compared to large blocks of stone used by the Romans.

We got to stay back in our Sigiriya jungle room for a 2nd night and had a swim in the pool which was wonderful! An early night was in order to prepare for a big walk!

The next day most of the group tackled Sigiriya Rock which is 200 metres high and accessible by 1200 steps made of either rock or metal spiked into the side of the rock face! Not for the feint-hearted 😳. The view from the top was 360 degrees with the King’s palace remains able to be explored. A highlight for Tony who made it, with Helen’s feet firmly planted on the ground after going 1/2 way, thank you very much.

15/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Day 11 - Kandy to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

After an early checkout we drove past the Temple of Aluviharaya which had a striking golden Buddha on the hillside. This contrasts with the basic buildings in the villages surrounding the temple all throughout Sri Lanka.

We visited a Spice Garden where research is carried out on the natural healing properties of many spices that they grow. We were treated to a massage - the boys had theirs shirts off and the ladies - just a neck massage! We thought the red oil with herbal massage cream was amazing as was the natural citronella spray they make so sales were great in the shop afterwards!

Dambulla Temple was a sight to behold! The walk to the top was very steep but taken in stages, manageable. Pilgrims have to work hard to pay their respects. Shoes off, knees and shoulders covered is the respectful way to view the 5 cave temples painted from as early as 3rd Century BC through to 1950. The first one shows Buddha dying, the second one Buddha is teaching, in the 3rd cave Buddha is resting, in the fourth the cobras prevent the Buddha from getting wet (protection), and the fifth cave from 1950 was very vibrant in paint colours. We are learning lots about other faiths outside our realm of knowledge - a good thing! I just love all the old doors too!

The day ended with an amazing safari in Minneriya National Park where we thought seeing one elephant was great, only to continue our bumpy 4WD across the wetlands to see a herd of at least 22 females calves and 2 males feasting on rich green grasses. Words can’t describe how special it was to sit quietly and watch their feeding taking place! They had a technique of ripping the grass then swishing it backwards and forwards before eating! Then the males had a tussle and push/pull session regardless off the many safari vehicles lined up watching them. The older male teaching the younger male his place we assume.

Our rooms at Sigiriya Jungles Resort had a flyscreen door to an outdoor garden which was special, and a beautiful pool to swim in when we had a few minutes. A lovely jungle experience, kind of like Cape Tribulation in FNQ, Australia (that’s Far North Queensland, sorry!).

10/11/2025

Day 10 - Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy is in the centre of the island and became a trade hub for gems and spices, and a very busy city set beside a beautiful man-made lake.

Our morning was for designated shopping where we were taken to a gem store to learn about precious sapphires and semi-precious stones, a wood carving demo and a beautiful linen and batik store where we purchased a cute painted elephant, a lovely tablecloth, a pashmina and a linen shirt. Overall the bargaining process was fun in a non-threatening environment.

After a nice lunch we used our free time to do a walk of Kandy that Tony had planned. We found a relative George E De Silva’s statue in the memorial park dedicated to him, kinda neat! He was memorialised after serving in council positions and helping the community recover after a monsoonal flood. We also went to 3 churches where baptisms or wedding took place for Tony’s family in the early 1900’s and had the luck to get access to original marriage records to take photos. The books from the archives were ancient!

A tuk-tuk ride up to the lookout followed by a cultural dance and fire walking presentation was awesome.

10/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Day 9 - Nuwara Eliya to Kandy on the Blue Train, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan hopper for breakfast was a treat. The chef at the Grand Hotel was beautifully dressed.

We met D.D.N.D. Dewapura, the signalman at Nanu-oya train station. He showed us the original signal box installed by the British and was very proud of his studies, spoken and written English to get to where he was. He wrote us a note and even gave us his address! We were waiting at the other end of the platform to board 1st class but it turned out our booking was actually in 3rd class as the office could only book that many seats together in 3rd class! What a bolt up the platform to make it into the carriage! We had the windows up and the locals getting on and off throughout the 5 hour journey and views of tea plantations and villages along the way. We were glad to have travelled this iconic rail journey and add it to the list!

We finally made it to Kandy and were met by our faithful coach driver and bus assistant to transfer out of town to the stunning Earls Regency Hotel. We usually get the chance to get to an atm or supermarket prior if staying out of town so that we don’t feel isolated. It’s been very well organised by our guide Asanka and Inspiring Vacations. We are well, although we are getting a little travel-weary being on the go so much.

09/11/2025

Love Russell Coight.

08/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Day 8 - Hortons Plains National Park hike, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Ahead of us today lay a 9 kilometre hike through cloud forest, mountain cliff edges to World’s End, montane grassland and beautiful waterways.

Horton Plains NP is at an elevation of 2100 metres. We left the hotel at 5:30am which helped with being ahead of the crowds and before the fog rolled in obscuring the view. It was a challenging walk but our group encouraged each other and we all completed the circuit.

After returning to the Grand Hotel, we were served a very British High Tea in the Tea Lounge during the afternoon. A real treat, but we weren’t expecting the black velvet clad saxophone player who ramped things up!

A lovely time was spent visiting a Nuwara Eliya tea plantation as the area is famous for growing fine Ceylon tea. As only Sri Lankan women pick leaves, Helen played tourist picking the tender leaves suitable for green and black tea production. It’s harder than it looks!

06/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Day 7 - Yala National Park 2nd safari, then Weerawila to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

We took an early morning second safari jeep into another part of Yala National Park but didn’t see as much as yesterday, but still a great experience. The drivers go flat out on very bumpy roads in vehicles with no suspension, but know where the animals are. All vehicles converged on a location where a leopard had been reported. It was total chaos! No leopard. They are elusive and retreat to the branches. We watched a solo male elephant for ages - just so privileged to be here.

After a return to our beautiful room, shower and a later checkout, we travelled all afternoon on very windy mountain roads. A stop at Nuwara Falls was a welcome break (thank goodness for travel sickness tablets!). We had a late lunch in Bandarawela then on to the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, and stepped into colonial history and influence everywhere you looked. We enjoyed the cooler mountain climate and less humidity too.

06/11/2025

SRI LANKA and THE MALDIVES ESCAPE - October to November 2025

Day 6 - Galle to Weerawila, Southern Sri Lanka

Our first experience today was a visit to a wild turtle hatchery where eggs are collected and safely hatched by volunteers to ensure the preservation of 5 local turtle species. We learnt about Green, Loggerhead, and new to us Leatherback, Olive Ridney and Hawksbill. They return them to the sea after hatching and being in pools for 3 months or after rehabilitation if injured. What wonderful people. Our entry fee helps support them.

The iconic photos from Sri Lanka always include the stilt fishermen. As an extra cultural stop we observed these guys sitting on their poles stuck in the ocean trying to catch small fish. They get closer to the fish this way. It was a beautiful beach setting and a wonderful experience.

Our drive through Yala National Park in a safari truck was thrilling and rewarding. We saw Asian elephants, deer, various birds and eagles, peacocks (indian peafowl), water buffalo and freshwater crocs the size of Aussie salties 😳. They are the more dangerous here.

The Doubletree Hilton Weerawila was an oasis with stunning rooms pool and restaurant. We would have liked to have been here for more than 1 night!

05/11/2025

We are going to climb this tomorrow morning!!!
I will need nerves of steel 🫣

Rising 200 meters (660 feet) above Sri Lanka’s central plains, Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, is one of the world’s most extraordinary ancient fortresses. 🏰

Built in the 5th century AD by King Kasyapa, this massive rock citadel was both a royal palace and a defensive stronghold. Visitors once climbed through a giant stone lion’s paws carved into the cliffside — a symbol of royal power.

Inside, vivid frescoes of celestial maidens still adorn the rock walls, while the Mirror Wall, once polished so smooth it reflected visitors’ faces, bears inscriptions left by ancient poets and travelers.

At the summit lie the ruins of Kasyapa’s palace, overlooking a network of water gardens, moats, and terraces that showcase the engineering brilliance of the ancient Sinhalese.

Today, Sigiriya stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a masterpiece of art, architecture, and ambition — a fortress in the clouds that has watched over Sri Lanka for 1,500 years.

📍 Sigiriya – Central Sri Lanka