Sri Lanka Days 3 & 4 – Mountains, Fort, Whales, Dolphins, and Baby Turtles!.
She Said:
Sri Lanka – Day 3 – From Peaks to Forts.
After a restless night—probably because my brain was still buzzing from yesterday’s adventures—I woke up to an incredible sunrise. The highlight? Monkeys!
Yes, actual monkeys scaling the window, curiously peering in as if to say, “Who are these weird humans invading our territory in their concrete treehouse?” It was the perfect way to start the day, a delightful blend of nature and modern life.
Fueled by breakfast, we hit the nearby trail to tackle Little Adam’s Peak. Now, before you get confused, this is NOT the same as the famous Adam’s Peak (which is miles away and involves a whole other level of climbing madness). Little Adam’s Peak is its charming, less intimidating cousin.
Of course, the best seats were already taken—by the sweetest, most chilled-out dogs you’ve ever met. These dogs seemed to own the land, happily posing in our photos like seasoned influencers.
On the way up, we passed through tea plantations and saw women picking tea leaves, a process that hasn’t changed much in 300 years. It felt like stepping into a a living postcard.
After our hike, it was time to bid farewell to the rolling hills and tea plantations and head back to the coast, specifically to the historic city of Galle. This place has seen it all—Portuguese colonists in the 15th century, the Dutch in the 16th century, and the British in the 17th century. It was the ultimate gateway to the Indian Ocean, making it a hot spot for trade, commerce, and, of course, colonization.
That said, the city itself was a bit bittersweet. Despite its UNESCO Heritage status, many historic buildings were in dire need of restoration. It’s a stark reminder of how preserving heritage looks so different in wealthier countries compared to those with fewer resources.
We wandered Galle’s charming, windy streets for as long as Yoni’s patience allowed (which, bless him, wasn’t long). Eventually, we found a lovely restaurant overlooking the sea, perfect for dinner and sunset watching.
Unfortunately, the sunset decided to be shy, thanks to a thick layer of clouds. But honestly? Watching families, couples, and locals strolling along the ramparts, gazing out at the ocean, was better than any blockbuster movie.
After dinner, we drove 7 km outside Galle to our lodge in the jungle. By the time we arrived, it was pitch dark, but stepping out of the car felt like walking into a fairy tale.
The place had a magical vibe, and our room was full of character—definitely not your run-of-the-mill accommodation. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in daylight!
He Said:
Day 3
We kicked off the morning with a gorgeous hike up a small mountain smack in the middle of tea plantations. The scenery? Amazing.
Rolling hills covered in vibrant green tea bushes as far as the eye could see. The air was so fresh it felt like you could bottle it. A great way to start the day!
Then came the long drive to a coastal city with a massive Portuguese citadel and an even bigger fort.
Not really my cup of tea (pun intended), but Vered? She was in her element, soaking up the history and atmosphere like a true explorer.
Dinner was fine, but the real highlight came after. We arrived at this jaw-dropping hotel right in the heart of the jungle, where we’re staying for two nights.
The place is a dream—designed down to the last centimeter by the owner, who we had the chance to meet. Everything is eco-friendly: solar power, no plastic, all super sustainable.
It felt like staying in a jungle sanctuary.
Day 4
The alarm went off at a painfully early 4:30 AM.
By 5:00, we were in the car, heading off for a whale-watching adventure.
The boat set sail at 6:00, and after a while, we managed to spot a fin whale—the second-largest whale species on Earth. Exciting, right? Well, not quite.
We spent hours chasing it and only got a few glimpses when it came up to breathe. One time, we caught its back, but that was about it.
Luckily, the spinner dolphins came to save the day! These little guys were everywhere, jumping and twirling out of the water like they were auditioning for a dolphin Cirque du Soleil.
I couldn’t catch their spins on camera, but who cares?
Watching them in action was pure joy. Dolphins always put me in a good mood.
Then came a surprise highlight: fishing with a couple of locals.
It was short—maybe 10 minutes—but I caught two fish. Yep, two.
One of the pros didn’t catch anything, so I’m basically a fishing legend now. 
After that, we visited a sea turtle hatchery and hospital, and wow, this place was something else.
They’re all about saving injured turtles, hatching eggs, and releasing the babies back into the ocean (40,000 of them each year).
We got to tour the hospital and meet their “patients,” some with broken shells, others getting prosthetic flippers—it was fascinating to see how much care goes into their recovery.
And then there were the baby turtles!
They’d just hatched yesterday, and watching them waddle around was easily my favorite moment of the trip so far.
By the time we finished, it was late afternoon.
After a big lunch, we headed back to the jungle hotel for some much-needed rest.
We skipped dinner and hit the sack early, gearing up for tomorrow’s long drive and a big hike.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
