Last Updated: 4/12/21 | April 12th, 2021
A few years back, I went to Sri Lanka and, outside a few facts I’d chosen up by reading the news as well as speaking to good friends over the years, I realized I understood shockingly bit about the country.
I understood it was when ruled by the British, there was a long dispute between the Tamils as well as Sinhalese, the country creates a great deal of tea, it has beyond-delicious food, its funding is Colombo, as well as there are some outstanding jungles as well as beaches to explore.
But, beyond that superficial understanding, I understood nothing.
I couldn’t tell you if the country was affordable or inexpensive, what to see, one famous ruin, security issues, where in the country is prominent to visit, exactly how to get around, what their currency or culture is, or anything in between.
Sri Lanka was a blank slate to me.
I never like to go somewhere new blind — it’s a sure-fire method to get ripped off, eat the wrong thing, get sick, make a cultural faux pas, and, generally, have something go badly.
Knowledge is power and, provided that so much info is offered online, I feel like going somewhere without any type of comprehending of that location shows a laziness in your planning as well as a indication that you’re an unskilled traveler.
So, when planning my trip there, I needed to do some preparation. Normally, if I have sufficient of a fundamental comprehending of a place, I just wing it — I’ve been to neighboring countries, understand people, or have checked out sufficient to have an idea. Sri Lanka needed some work.
Faced with a understanding gap, here’s what I did — as well as you should do — when you travel somewhere you’ve never been before:
1. buy a travel Guide
To get started, I bought the rough guide to Sri Lanka. I believe guidebooks are still important for travelers. even though their practical info is commonly out of date, I like looking over them to get an overview of exactly how to get around, type concepts on what to see as well as do, suggest itineraries, as well as look at the maps as well as featured places.
It assists me put together the foundation of my planning. Besides, there’s just something enjoyable about holding a book as well as highlighting locations that reading a blog doesn’t offer.
2. checked out travel Blogs
Next, I went searching for travel blogs. Guidebooks are a great foundation, however blogs can fill in a great deal of spaces as you can discover more updated info as well as off-the-beaten-path destinations, as well as ask concerns of the bloggers. I searched, read, as well as searched some more for material as well as stories that provided me a sense of the destination. For reference, these are the blog posts I read:
The expense of travel in Sri Lanka
A budget plan Traveler’s guide to Sri Lanka
Train travel is the very best method to Travel
Sri Lanka | The Blonde Abroad Archives
3. Ask Friends/Family for Advice
Once I had my guide as well as checked out over some blogs, I asked good friends as well as household for their advice (or if they understood anyone who might provide me advice). It turned out I had a few good friends who had been there just recently as well as a few with household there. They provided me advice, tips, as well as tips on hotels as well as restaurants, as well as they linked me to household members.
Now when I land, I have some people to stay with, show me around, as well as assist me get situated. nothing beats a regional host.
4. Ask other Travelers
With so many people reading this blog, I figured there must be some visitors who had been there. Tweeting, Facebooking, as well as my blog posts created a flurry of messages with tips as well as advice, as well as some from locals looking to satisfy up.
It was incredibly helpful, as well as now I have some people to hang out with when I go!
Since not everybody is a blogger, I would suggest Couchsurfing or The Nomadic Network as an alternative. They are both excellent methods to link with locals as well as travelers alike to get insider tips as well as information.
5. checked out Some Books
Finally, I bought books about the country. As I’ve stated in the past, you can’t understand a location if you don’t understand its history. With a long flight ahead, I bought a few books about Sri Lanka’s history so I can get a much better comprehending of the country’s rich history.
Here’s what I read:
The Cage
Island of a Thousand Mirrors
Elephant Complex
***
Talking to friends, family, readers, as well as blog writers has now provided me a sense of the destination: an affordable, risk-free location with friendly locals, tasty food, as well as sluggish transportation. “Everyone is incredibly nice as well as helpful, however don’t expect to get anywhere quick unless you lease a driver” was the typical refrain.
For the very first time in a long time, I am going to a location I understand nothing about. I can’t wait to try to backpack as well as figure things out on the method again! Sri Lanka sees a great deal of tourists as well as it’s not totally “off the beaten track” however it’s different to me.
I’m sure my plans, routes, as well as concepts will modification when I hit the ground. however as of now, I feel I have a much better concept as to what I am getting myself into. I have a sense of what to expect as well as that makes me more somewhat comfortable about visiting.
You never understand what a location is truly like up until you go, however now the photo of Sri Lanka is not a total blur — it’s come into a great deal more focus.
Visiting a location you understand bit about in a region you’ve never been to can be somewhat intimidating. To go somewhere totally different pushes you out of your comfort zone as well as that can be a tricky thing.
Even after fifteen years of travel, I still have a little amount of nervousness before I go.
Sure, it vanishes right when I land as well as I believe “What was I so worried about?” however there is that voice in the back of my mind that sometimes goes “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Doing a bit research study to get an comprehending of a location mutes that voice.
This is not about arranging all your days as well as all your activities. This just is about being more informed about the destination you are visiting.
Because a wise as well as informed traveler is a much better traveler.
There’s still much to discover about Sri Lanka however now I don’t feel as if I’m totally at a loss or ignorant about the place.
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Book Your Trip: Logistical tips as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a affordable flight by utilizing Skyscanner. It’s my preferred browse engine since it searches websites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses as well as hotels.
Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will protect you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s comprehensive security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it many times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:
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Medjet (for extra evacuation coverage)
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