A look back: Sri Lanka 2026
Chapters:
Arrival Day and Tour Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine and Departure
Arrival Day and Tour Day One
Group trip: Sri Lanka 2026. This feels like years ago now and am still fully processing it but the block that had been stopping me from writing up a recap is now gone. So, let’s explore it a little together!
The trip started well before I landed in Sri Lanka – in fact, it started as soon as the first sign up reserved her spot and that was last June (of 2025). Wow!
Our timing was absolutely horrendous and I landed in Sri Lanka after about 21 hours of travel to news that the US has attacked Iran.
Two of our travelers were currently in Dubai – and while I don’t have a to-scale map in my memory bank, I do know that Dubai and Iran are just across the water from each other. Not good. They remained very optimistic saying that though their flight for tomorrow was cancelled, there was another already scheduled for the following day.
I’m reading through my messages while wandering through the airport looking for a woman I had never met before so we could start our journey to the hotel. Nothing we can do today or tomorrow so we must venture on.
We find each other, we hug regardless of how sweaty we both claim to be and off we go! We stopped for a SIM card and some cash before finding our driver – Kris. We came to love Kris but this first meeting was a little bumpy and awkward, I blame the travel and, ya know, the news that the US has started a war. Kris actually found us first and welcomed us with his HUGE smile and some flowers. It was very sweet and should have been the obvious first sign to an incredible trip that was to come.
We got to know Kris and each other a little on our drive the hotel. It was just after midnight and we were ready for a comfy bed and lots of sleep. We checked in and got settled. I updated the hotel on the guests who would not be arriving the next night as planned. After that, we went straight to bed and wow, did I crash!
The next morning we met at our agreed upon time and planned to enjoy breakfast together before spending some time by the beach. The official Newberry Tour didn’t start until 4pm that night. Our only set plans for the day was dinner on the beach at sunset and knowing our other travelers wouldn’t join us that night – we were planning a very slow, chill day.
Breakfast was incredible and the first bite made me do a happy dance that for sure embarrassed my travel companion but – this food is for real the best in the world. The spices, the textures, the mixture of all the good things – it was just so overwhelming. We filled up on tea and maybe refilled our places a time or two. I mean, LOOK AT THIS AMAZING SPREAD!
After that, we headed up to our room to get ready for the beach. We headed down and within a few minutes the gentlemen selling goods on the beach immediately b-lined it for us. It seemed my travel companion was interested in engaging with them, but we ultimately decided it is Day 1 and there are so many things yet to see. We wandered down the water, only to realize the sand was FAR TOO HOT. Lol – I can still picture us, linked arms walking down to the water and slowly realizing we had made a horrible mistake! We tried to run back as quick as we could but I was pretty sure my feet had burned off on the return journey and I now was walking on my ankles. Noted for next year: wear sandals down to the water, then take them off! Haha!
The water was cool and refreshing, but nothing as chilly as the Oregon coast I had been to a few weeks before. There were boats cruising around, some traditional boats moving slowly filled with tourists and plenty of people and dogs running around – just an absolute sight to behold.
We headed up to the room to freshen up and then ventured out to town to find lunch, we were not disappointed. That afternoon is blurry but I’m sure it involved great conversations and maybe a nap.
Later in the afternoon I got a message from Kingsley, who was to be our guide for the week, that he was in the lobby. It’s so funny to look back and remember your first meeting with someone – so far I’d met Amber, my travel companion for Sri Lanka, Kris our driver and now Kingsley our guide. Each meeting was exciting and I remember feeling giddy meeting each of them but had no idea just how much we would bond this week and become an unbreakable group of four.
Kingsley and I talked about the other ladies of the trip and make a plan for the following day based on their updated flight time. Amber joined us and we headed down for dinner. We walked through the dining room we had breakfast in and then out towards the beach. It wasn’t completely set up yet, so we stood and watched the cute little chipmunks play with each other and watch as the fruit bats came out to perform their swooping dances for us. The temperature had dropped and the ocean breeze kept the bugs away. It was an absolutely perfect moment standing there together.
While we waited we watched some candles on the beach get lit and some final details being placed out by this gorgeous tent. We talked about how neat it was and how fun it’d be to get to eat out there. Lo and behold – it was where WE were having dinner! Stunning!
Amber and I giggled like little kids as we took in the scenery and the grandiose way that they welcomed us. Kingsley joined us for dinner so we can talk about the week logistics and get to know each other more before being in the van together for the next 9 days. It was course after course of deliciously fresh food and unique flavors. We enjoyed some wine as we watched the sunset and laughed as we heard the local nightlife coming out to play. The next day was a national holiday so people would have the day off and they would not be allowed to drink – it seemed they were all squeezing in the fun of that night and the next night. Our meal was long and full of conversation. There was no denying this week was going to be special but now we just needed to get the other ladies here so we can all experience it together!
Kingsley and I talked about the other ladies of the trip and make a plan for the following day based on their updated flight time. Amber joined us and we headed down for dinner. We walked through the dining room we had breakfast in and then out towards the beach. It wasn’t completely set up yet, so we stood and watched the cute little chipmunks play with each other and watch as the fruit bats came out to perform their swooping dances for us. The temperature had dropped and the ocean breeze kept the bugs away. It was an absolutely perfect moment standing there together.
While we waited we watched some candles on the beach get lit and some final details being placed out by this gorgeous tent. We talked about how neat it was and how fun it’d be to get to eat out there. Lo and behold – it was where WE were having dinner! Stunning!
Amber and I giggled like little kids as we took in the scenery and the grandiose way that they welcomed us. Kingsley joined us for dinner so we can talk about the week logistics and get to know each other more before being in the van together for the next 9 days. It was course after course of deliciously fresh food and unique flavors. We enjoyed some wine as we watched the sunset and laughed as we heard the local nightlife coming out to play. The next day was a national holiday so people would have the day off and they would not be allowed to drink – it seemed they were all squeezing in the fun of that night and the next night. Our meal was long and full of conversation. There was no denying this week was going to be special but now we just needed to get the other ladies here so we can all experience it together!
Tour Day Two
Available June 17th
