Sri Lanka /Thailand

ThunbergsAreGo

Hi,



Choosing between there and Thailand for a three week holiday and Sri Lanka seems amazing on paper with a wide variety of wildlife and cultural experiences to be had.

But Thailand is Thailand and i have heard so many good things about it and have a somewhat route of Chang Mai, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat and Koh Samui. Feel like from speaking to people Thailand is well known and i have an idea of what to expect

Sri Lanka not so much :)Has anyone on here been to Sri Lanka/had any experiences of it?

whatsyourquota

You do realise Phnom Penh and Angkor wat arent in Thailand, ha. But they are amazing as is Chang mai and Bangkok, Koh Samui not so much. If you decide on Thailand looking into different islands and beach resorts to Koh Samui like Koh phangan, koh phayam, railay, Koh phi phi to name a few.

Never been to sri lanka so cant really advise which one is better

Corkbah

of course you should also take into consideration what time of year you intend travelling (wet season will most likely be heavy rainfall ...and it falls straight down and very heavy) ... worth checking this http://www.weatherbase.com


We went to Thailand in April for Songran (Thai new year) - would highly recommend travelling at that time.

ThunbergsAreGo

whatsyourquota wrote: »

You do realise Phnom Penh and Angkor wat arent in Thailand, ha. But they are amazing as is Chang mai and Bangkok, Koh Samui not so much. If you decide on Thailand looking into different islands and beach resorts to Koh Samui like Koh phangan, koh phayam, railay, Koh phi phi to name a few.

Never been to sri lanka so cant really advise which one is better

Of course, i just thought adding Cambodia as well would be too long a title :P
Thinking of flying here as have heard bad reports on border scams etc

Think due to the July weather Phi Phi etc are a bit off limits with Samui being by far the best weather to be found.

Cheers for the replies

Yamanoto

Tigerairways flies to Colombo from BKK & PP, which makes combining Thailand, Cambodia & Sri Lanka a possibility at relatively little cost.

If fares are high, consider taking the sleeper train down to Penang, KL or S'pore and connect to Colombo from there.

http://www.tigerairways.com/sg/en/index.php

ThunbergsAreGo

Yamanoto wrote: »

Tigerairways flies to Colombo from BKK & PP, which makes combining Thailand, Cambodia & Sri Lanka a possibility at relatively little cost.

If fares are high, consider taking the sleeper train down to Penang, KL or S'pore and connect to Colombo from there.

http://www.tigerairways.com/sg/en/index.php

Cheers, not sure i have the time fir both!!I wish

zoobizoo

Depends on what you're looking for.

I've been to both.

Thailand is bigger and more developed with a more touristy feel. Bangkok is an amazing city - a lot of people hate it but I love it. Lots to see. Your planned itinerary there seems to be what everyone does. There are other islands mentioned above by another poster. I tend to stay away from Samui and if i was staying in Ko Pang Nan I'd be avoiding the main town and stay elsewhere.

Sri Lanka is like a small more peaceful India with a chilled out vibe. You'd get to see a lot of the country in 3 weeks ie all of it. No need to stay in Colombo really, just get out of there as soon as you can as there's not a lot to see. You could hit the beaches of Unawatuna or if you want to learn to surf Weligama. Merisa beach about 5km south of there is really nice too. Then maybe take a 4 or 5 day tour of the country up the middle to Ella, Kandy, the Temples and sites.

There's not a whole lot of nightlife in Sri Lanka compared to Thailand.

What are you hoping to get out of the holiday?

ThunbergsAreGo

zoobizoo wrote: »

Depends on what you're looking for.

I've been to both.

Thailand is bigger and more developed with a more touristy feel. Bangkok is an amazing city - a lot of people hate it but I love it. Lots to see. Your planned itinerary there seems to be what everyone does. There are other islands mentioned above by another poster. I tend to stay away from Samui and if i was staying in Ko Pang Nan I'd be avoiding the main town and stay elsewhere.

Sri Lanka is like a small more peaceful India with a chilled out vibe. You'd get to see a lot of the country in 3 weeks ie all of it. No need to stay in Colombo really, just get out of there as soon as you can as there's not a lot to see. You could hit the beaches of Unawatuna or if you want to learn to surf Weligama. Merisa beach about 5km south of there is really nice too. Then maybe take a 4 or 5 day tour of the country up the middle to Ella, Kandy, the Temples and sites.

There's not a whole lot of nightlife in Sri Lanka compared to Thailand.

What are you hoping to get out of the holiday?

Thanks mate, great summary there. We usually kill ourselves on holidays and try and get as much culture/sight in as possible but this time we are determined to relax at least some of the time.

We would like some culture, some wildlife/experiences (i.e Safari in SL sounds pretty amazing). We have heard Siem Reap really has to be seen. Think i have yoyo'd between the two about 5 times today alone I like the idea of Sri Lanka being more undiscovered but then there has to be a reason eveyone raves about Thailand

With regards to going out, we wouldnt be(as much as we dont like to admit it) real clubbing going out people, but like some nightlife.

How did you find getting around in SL? heard it can be slow and difficult

zoobizoo

Not slow at all.

You can train it down to Galle which is on the South West - old fort town. Very Portuguese in design inside the fort. Or, you could get a taxi down to save time. Flights can arrive in late at night or very early morning so it's nice to be picked up with a pre-arranged taxi. My guy "Punchi" set me up with a Sri Lankan Sim card which was handy for me.

Anyway, other than that it's buses and three wheelers.

People do rave about Thailand and rightly so - it's an amazing place and the people are friendly. I think it's the first place in Asia most Irish and British people see. I've been there about 5 times and been to SL twice but thinking of going back this summer for a surf holiday.

There is always some night life but if having a couple of beers 20 ft from the sea is what you;re looking for then SL is the place to go. You might also find fewer tourists there than in Thailand.

My suggested itinerary would be taxi to Merissa from the airport and spend 5/6 days by the beach. Take a 4/5 day tour up through the centre taking in Sigiriya, a tea plantation, a national park or two. I missed out on Adam's Peak both times I've been but have seen little Adam's PEak in Ella. Plus, I had the best meal in SL in Ella. You can sit in the kitchen and watch the chef prepare the meal. You'll see lots of the country that way.

Then head back to the beach for a week before returning to Colombo, do a bit of shopping there and get on your flight.

ThunbergsAreGo

Thanks again, great advice! so much food for thought, all sounds great

Both are now definitely "on the list"

ardmacha

Sri Lanka is like a small more peaceful India with a chilled out vibe. You'd get to see a lot of the country in 3 weeks ie all of it. No need to stay in Colombo really, just get out of there as soon as you can as there's not a lot to see

+1

Sri Lanka is less developed than Thailand and some parts of the country (East) have not been on the tourist trail much for many years owing to the civil war, but things are picking up there now. If water is your thing you could also visit the Maldives.

Gatica

If you want wildlife treks then Chiang Mai ticks all the boxes. The town is small but is wonderful. There's elephant sanctuary, tiger kingdom and lots of hiking around the region.
If you do want to go to Cambodia then I'd say no more than 3 days in Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat and other temples.

ThunbergsAreGo

Gatica wrote: »

If you want wildlife treks then Chiang Mai ticks all the boxes. The town is small but is wonderful. There's elephant sanctuary, tiger kingdom and lots of hiking around the region.
If you do want to go to Cambodia then I'd say no more than 3 days in Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat and other temples.

Cheers gonna try get both sorta planned out tonight and see which appeals, both so cool sounding

Sri Lanka is slightly in the lead but is that bit more $$

litup

I've been to both and would agree with pretty much all of wat zoobizoo said except I did find SL (at least parts of it) harder/more stressful to get around than Thailand. I also found it more expensive, probably because it's less developed for tourists and so there is less choice of accommodation. If it is your fist time in that part of the work Thailand is certainly the easier option, if you know what I mean.

That said SL is a beautiful country and I had an amazing time there. The itinerary suggested by zoobizoo is a good one. I'd add getting a train either to or from Kandy from Colombo. The views along that line are spectacular.

ThunbergsAreGo

litup wrote: »

I've been to both and would agree with pretty much all of wat zoobizoo said except I did find SL (at least parts of it) harder/more stressful to get around than Thailand. I also found it more expensive, probably because it's less developed for tourists and so there is less choice of accommodation. If it is your fist time in that part of the work Thailand is certainly the easier option, if you know what I mean.

That said SL is a beautiful country and I had an amazing time there. The itinerary suggested by zoobizoo is a good one. I'd add getting a train either to or from Kandy from Colombo. The views along that line are spectacular.

Did you train/bus everywhere in SL? any good websites for transport there?

Yamanoto

Seat61 has a fairly comprehensive run-down on train travel throughout the Country.

http://www.seat61.com/SriLanka.htm#.UUom-BzoP0U

ardmacha

Driving standards in Sri Lanka are somewhat intimidating for non lunatics, the train doesn't swerve as much and the Hill Country trains (Kandy Badulla etc) often have great views and are not excessively hot. The lines to the North are being repaired post war and since the new track will be better than the rest of the country these should be good services, probably not available in 2013 though.

You can also visit the new airport in the south of Sri Lanka opened by the President and named after himself.

ThunbergsAreGo

Thanks,

Somehwat decided finally and going for 23 days in total July/August. Thinking 4 night in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and the rest in Sri Lanka.

Only worry is that this might be too long in SL and is to book another trip with from SL (Maldives) or from Abu Dhabi (Istanbul maybe)

Thanks for the help

zoobizoo

Depends on what you're into doing.

I spent 6 weeks there last time but I surf and was surfing most days and then doing a bit of travelling.

Maldives would be more beach - and more expensive.

You could look into taking a short trip over to India for a few days. It would quite different.

ThunbergsAreGo

Zooizoo, you mentioned a meal in Ella? do you remmber where?

Thinking of a preliminary itenary of this

Negombo

Travel

Maldives

Maldives

Maldives

Cult. Triangle

Cult. Triangle

Cult. Triangle

Kandy

Kandy

Elephant Sanctuary

Elia

Elia

Yala

Yala

Mirissa

Mirissa

Galle

zoobizoo

I don't but I think I read about it in Lonely Planet. Stay away from the guesthouse in Ella called Zion - the owner is an idiot. Great views from the place but he gives really bad advice.

Nogombo isn't the nicest place so I wouldn't stay there for long. We stayed there just as a stopover.

Colombo is interesting if you haven't been in a big city in that part of the world. There are some good shops for getting reduced cost clothing - and there's a homeware store where called Footprint.

I'd probably incorporate the stay in Kandy with the cultural triangle trip (but that's cos I'd like to be at the beach for longer).

NEver been to Yala.

If you're looking for a taxi driver, let me know... Punchy served me well when I was there.

ThunbergsAreGo

Cheers, yeah we are only going to Negombo as it is near the airport and we get in at 02.30, going to spend the day in Colombo/Negombo and then hit the Maldives. Flight back and stright to Cultural Traingle, if possible

We arent 100% on a driver at the moment as it seem like it could end up fairly expensive and could find it strange having a driver . how did you fid it cost wise?

zoobizoo

ah yeah, that's a good plan.

Do not think it strange having a driver - lots of tourists do it. Just get one you're happy with. The taxis are Hiace Vans so there's plenty of space. The guys can organise accomodation.

you'll probably only need one to do the Cultural Triangle. So get a train to Kandy from Colombo and then do Cultural Triangle before heading to Ella. You might bump into some people in Kandy who will share the taxi with you. As you've limited time you'll need the taxi to get to places rather than trying to rely on public transport. Incorporate the Elephant into your journey to Kandy as it's on the way - you'll only be there for a couple of hours. Not sure if there's much to see around Kandy - we used it as the stop off before heading to the Cultural areas.

Make sure to take in a tea plantation as well. Stop off, have a cup of tea with cake while sitting in peace in the mountains. There's a nice train journey to Ella through the hills and some nice walks around there too (little Adams Peak).

You can get from Ella then to close to Merissa by a series of buses (probably two) and to Galle by bus and from Galle to Colombo by train.

Lion Lager is the local beer and they also do a stout (make sure it's cold though).

If you're trying to save money then I'd avoid the Maldives.

In Merissa there's a place that does a buffet dinner but a bit further down the beach there's a lovely place that does sea food... will try to get the name for you.

I'm getting envious now.

ThunbergsAreGo

Thanks,

I know Maldives will be expensive but we are looking at €120 flights from SL so seems tough to turn down

Yes we haeva lot more to look into on the CT/Kandy area to see how the days are best spent. "As you've limited time you'll need the taxi to get to places rather than trying to rely on public transport" is very true
Lots of research to do!

mmm Lion beer