Sinhalaya Travels

So it turns out the backpacking trip worked out after all. At the moment you first read this post, we are probably just getting to Arugam Bay. We have got here via the Colombo-Batti train and then by bus to Arugam Bay. The plan will probably take in Panama (not in South America) and then just take in some chill time on the beach(es).
We’re taking two tents with us. That’ll hopefully do for shelter. A tent is essential if high travel costs are to be avoided. And if you’re camping out you may as well try the outdoor food thing anyway. But there is one other cheap travel option that one can try and that is sleeping in mosques and temples etc. I know for a fact that places of worship aren’t too particular about offering a nights rest to a tired traveler or five.
On day two we may go back to Batti (where the mangoes right now are ripe and tasty, unlike the pieces of coconut husk I find attached to the tree in my back yard) and probably head to Pasikuda. Camp out there for a night and then come back to Batti. There’s a lake I heard about on the Badulla-Batti road on which you can go on boats to fish with the fishermen. A fishing trip will take the whole day apparently and its good fun. So day 3 may be on that. But there is no plan per se so we’ll head wherever the wind blows more like.
On to the beaches of Trinco after that we think, depends on what everyone wants to do. I heard the camping on Pigeon Island is good. Camping sites will have to be evaluated though; Most of the East Coast is still a bit wild, much like the US rapping scene’s one, many wild animals making strange noises. And as per info received from kirigalpoththa and a few other people there are still armed gangs roaming the jungles along with equally edgy armed forces. There are also apparently wild elephants that can potentially tear your tent to shreds so we’ll have to ask around for safe spots. If all else fails we will make sure to carry a mouse or two.
Checking out the East Coast now will be great because in a year or so it will definitely get more commercialized judging by the amount of tourist resorts going up all over the place even now.
Getting to the Northern parts past Trinco may not be possible because of security restrictions but I guess we’ll have other options like the West Coast, Anuradhapura and other places of historical significance and even Badulla and the hill country.
We are taking supplies; Torches, clothes, bedding, good backpacks etc. If we’re back in one piece expect a few good posts on this site soon. In the meanwhile tune into our live twitter feed for daily updates, pictures and more (well not really, updates and pictures will be all actually but that should do