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Falling in love with Sri Lanka: My perfect Holiday in Sri Lanka and Kitesurfing trip to Kalpitiya!
I was so excited about my two-week trip to Sri Lanka. Getting to know the culture, the people, the food…but the thing I was most excited about was ending our trip in Kalpitiya, where we would attend kitesurfing school!
I started my trip by going on safari. In the southeast of Sri Lanka is Yala park, where I saw a fair share of elephants and monkeys, as well as water buffalo and the national bird, the Ceylon Junglefowl. And I can’t forget the peacocks! They were so majestic.
The Beaches and Landscape in Sri Lanka
After the safari, I stayed at the southern end of the island and spent some time at a couple of great beaches. Unawatuna Beach is the perfect place for water sports and to spot some sea turtles. Tangalle Beach is a very relaxed beach where you can soak up the rays with abandon.
One of the most scenic and breathtaking train trips I’ve ever taken was from Ella to Kandy. We passed lush landscapes with tiny, ramshackle buildings and miles of picture-perfect tea plantations, along with a waterfall or two! It was magical. At one point we even had a group of kids running alongside the train to entertain us for a bit. In Kandy, I visited the Temple of the Tooth (the tooth of Buddha) and listened to traditional drum players.
Further north is the rock city of Sigiriya. Here, Lion’s rock is a historic UNESCO site where you can walk up to the top for incredible views of the surrounding countryside. The Golden Temple is here and worth a visit. But probably one of the best parts of traveling rural Sri Lanka is the friendly people. Just about everywhere, I came across couples or families who were very friendly, and some even engaged me in a little conversation.
Amazing local food
I cannot say enough about the food in Sri Lanka. Every meal I had was very tasty. Some of the culinary highlights were pol sambol, which is a spiced coconut dish. And the curries! There are so many to choose from, it was fun to find a favorite. And for a staple dish, the appam (hoppers) is like a pancake that you can fill with sweet or savory food. Delicious!
Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
Then it was time to go to Kalpitiya and learn to kitesurf! I booked some lessons with the great instructors at Margarita Village Kalpitiya Kite School. They were so friendly and experts at working with me as a beginner. Kalpitiya is a gorgeous spot on a peninsula on the west side of the island, with perfect wind and water conditions to learn to kitesurf.
The instructors made sure we were enjoying ourselves, while also providing a safe environment to learn the sport. The unspoiled beach there made it one of the more unique spots in the world to learn. There are different spots around Kalpitiya with personalized lessons to fit your comfort level. As a beginner, I had so much fun learning how to first get a feel for the wind and my kite. Then it was off to the water! I learned to launch my kite from the water and use the elements to guide my kite and board for an amazing experience.
The school offers several different packages, with accommodation in a private chalet, meals, and trips to Kalpitiya lagoon and Vella Island. When I completed my lesson, I was given an IKO card (International Kiteboarding Organization) which certifies me to rent kiteboarding equipment anywhere in the world!
Img source: redbull.com
After my kitesurfing course, I also did some kite trips to different islands located north of Kalpitiya. There I discovered incredible kite spots that cannot be found anywhere else. The best island that I went for a kite trip is called Vella island, and it is a perfect spot with flat and shallow water very suitable for freestyle riders. Here is where I went beyond my levels, and I started to learn to jump and kiting toeside. Another super kite spot is called Dream spot, located only 25 minutes away by boat from kalpitiya.
I really fell in love with Sri Lanka and especially with Kalpitiya. The kite spots are incredible, and I will never forget my new friends at Margarita kite school. Now I really understand why Kalpitiyais one of the best places to learn to kitesurf.
