Hello 👋 Summer is always a bustling time for us! Between arranging tours for European families during their school break and squeezing in some family time, we’ve been on the go.
This year, we managed to strike the perfect balance—working in Hikkaduwa, visiting family in Norway, and exploring more of beautiful Sri Lanka ❤️. Here’s where our travels took us:
In August, we hit the road for a week. Starting from Hikkaduwa, we drove five long hours to reach the Ambuluwawa Tower.
So, was it worth the trip?
This tower has become an Instagram sensation over the past few years, drawing in crowds. Unfortunately, our experience wasn’t the best 👎. The stairs are incredibly steep and narrow, and when you’ve got a lot of people trying to squeeze past each other in a space meant for one, it can feel pretty claustrophobic—not to mention nerve-wracking for both kids and parents. The view is spectacular, but honestly, I don’t think I’ll be going back…
We ended the evening in Kandy at the cozy Thilanka Hotel, a place I’ve visited many times before and always feel at home. Wrapping up the day with a sunset swim in the pool, overlooking the historic city, was the perfect way to unwind after a long day!
PS: If you haven’t been to Kandy before, a visit to the Tooth Temple 🕌 and the Botanical Garden 🌿 are my top two tips for your time here!
he East Coast is the place to be in summer! ☀️
We headed east to Trincomalee, and it was exactly what we needed. Our stay at a hotel on the idyllic Uppuveli Beach 🏖️ gave us the perfect mix of relaxation, swimming, and adventure.
The highlight of our trip was the snorkeling boat rides 🛥️🐠. As a passionate diver, it was incredible to share the wonders of the underwater world with my kids . We visited Pigeon Island, a national park offering fantastic snorkeling right from the beach and through private boat trips around the area. The vibrant corals and fascinating reef sharks kept us captivated for hours 🤿
PS: Don’t miss a sunset trip up to Koneswaram Temple in the Fort 🌅
Trincomalee 🚌👉 Arugam Bay
There’s a 5-hour drive between my two favourite places on the East Coast. Since we couldn’t decide between them, we visited BOTH this summer 😅.
While snorkeling and diving are the main attractions in Trincomalee, there’s another water sport that defines A-Bay: SURFING🌊
. After surfing lessons, the chill, laid-back vibe of the small town is what keeps me coming back again and again. Long breakfasts, great coffee, and smiling faces all around—you just can’t beat that!
We also spent three weeks in Norway 🇳🇴, making the most of our time with family there. With four cousins around the same age, our kids had a blast together during these summer weeks❤️
From our base on the western coast, we enjoyed Norway’s stunning nature, though the chilly weather made swimming in the fjords a bit of a challenge for us. After all we are spoiled with the warm 26°C waters of Hikkaduwa! 🤣🏄♀️
Photos below:
– The aquarium in Bergen
– Swimming in the Nordfjord in Utvik (Stryn)
– Family time
– Small flight back to Oslo before heading home to Sri Lanka
And finally – back home in Hikkaduwa 🥰 @ateasehotel for us is both our job and a place we like to relax, swim and play 😊
A perfect place to spend some lazy days in the summer holiday!
