​After our cultural exploration in Kandy, mountain hiking and waterfall swimming in Ella, and safari experience near Udawalawe, we were ready for the second phase of our Sri Lanka trip - a week-long exploration of the beaches of Sri Lanka's southern coast. Throughout the week, we explored both famous and hidden spots, snorkeled, scuba-dove, practiced yoga, ate roti, sushi and vegan food, and explored palm tree groves and walked along the top of an oceanside colonial fortress.

​After a magical few days exploring the waterfalls, tea plantations and monkey life in Ella, we ventured south, out of the hills and into the flat savannas of the lower inland of Sri Lanka.  For this portion of the trip, between the mountains and beaches, we decided to spend our time at two distinctive eco-lodges, immersing ourselves in wildlife with our first legit safari.

​If you Google Image search "Sri Lanka", many of the first results will be pictures of a candy-blue train weaving through mountainous terrain, every inch covered in neon green tea plants.  The train from Kandy to Ella is known as "the most beautiful train ride in the world" and, despite being a famous Instagram spot, it is truly a good way to experience the changing landscape from central Kandy up into the mountains to the cloud forests, tea plantations, waterfalls and jungles surrounding Ella.

​We jetted out of Frankfurt on a Friday evening, and, after a quick layover in the brand new, shiny, luxurious airport in Muscat, Oman, we arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka early Saturday morning.  Since we purchased our visas online ahead of time, we breezed through customs and hopped in an Uber to drive to Kandy.  After a quick hiccup, in which our first Uber driver decided his car couldn't make the trip up the mountainous roads, we were off to start our Sri Lankan adventure.