Sri Lanka in its Worst Economic Crisis

in #traveldigest2 years ago (edited)

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SRI LANKA
Honeymoon in Sri Lanka during its Worst Economic Crisis

ColomboDambulla & SigiriyaNuwara Eliya ➜ Ella ➜ Mirissa

I found the one whom my soul loves.

Songs of Solomon 3:4


Prior to the Co-Vid19 pandemic, I was lucky enough to almost finish the big Southeast Asia checklist. And two years and nine months later… we are thrilled to finally embark on our honeymoon, taking to the skies once again!


And now we’re ready to explore South Asia!
South Asia has always been the next on my list as it is geographically closer and more budget-friendly.
Given the time and opportunity we have this time, we decided to spend our honeymoon in Sri Lanka.

Our plan allowed us to experience the best of both worlds. We’re excited to take full advantage of the uncrowded tourist sites, immerse ourselves in the local culture, and support the community and economy.

Sri Lanka is dubbed ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, and truly lives up to its name as an incredible destination. There’s no shortage of adventure to be found here, from climbing majestic castles on rocks and exploring epic valleys to spotting amazing wildlife and taking in the cool breeze on scenic train rides.

Hiking to stunning summits and gazing upon breathtaking views, driving through winding roads and walking through lush tea plantations, and hiking to the top for spectacular views of waterfalls are also all on offer in Sri Lanka. The big waves and turquoise blue waters await those who love surfing, while history and beautiful coastal towns are perfect for those who love to walk and explore.

With luxurious yet budget-friendly hotels, there’s something for everyone in this magnificent country. Sri Lanka has it all, making it an exhilarating destination that promises an unforgettable experience.

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Nine-Arch Bridge

However, Sri Lanka took a hit from the economic crisis. Due to their government’s bad decisions, the country ran out of money and has a shortage of fuel, medicine, and food. Prices of goods skyrocketed! Not to mention the fact that the pandemic impacted the country hard which caused it to lose the majority of its income.

Before finalising our travel plans, we took necessary precautions to ensure a smooth trip. Unlike our usual preference for DIY travel, we made the decision to arrange for a driver or guide to accompany us throughout our entire trip. While we typically enjoy the thrill of getting lost and exploring new areas, we didn’t want to take any chances this time.

Getting lost, spending extra time finding fuel, and not knowing where to get necessary supplies or who to contact posed too much of a risk. Hence, we opted for a driver or guide who would provide us with valuable local insights and ensure a hassle-free experience.

Initially, we had our fair share of doubts and concerns. And so, I scoured through TripAdvisor to seek answers from locals and fellow travellers, and reassure ourselves that we were on the right track.

We were told that the circumstances were not as awful as the local and international media made them out to be.
While there were protests calling for the administration to step down, they were peaceful and posed no threat to tourists. As a result, we felt more confident in our decision to proceed with our travel plans.


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ABS-CBN News

Petrol stations had long queues, but we learned that the government was prioritizing tourists to support the local economy. While this news initially left us feeling guilty, we couldn’t ignore the frustration felt by locals who queued for hours, sometimes even days, to purchase limited amounts of gas for their daily needs. Some reported waiting at least five hours.

Despite the situation, we were impressed by the warm and polite nature of the Sri Lankan people. Every gas station we passed or visited had a unique system in place to ensure fairness for everyone. It was admirable to witness their resilience and creativity during a difficult time.

Driver / Guide

Getting a driver to travel around Sri Lanka was the best decision we ever made!

During our search for answers regarding recent events and conditions in the country, we stumbled upon our amazing driver.

we opted to take things slow and planned to visit only one or two places per day. Fortunately, our driver was more than happy to accommodate our requests and helped us tailor our itinerary to suit our needs.

After considering two contenders, we ultimately chose the best driver there is! We highly recommend him to anyone who needs a reliable driver in Sri Lanka. For his contact information, feel free to send us a message. Check out our review for more details!

Continue reading...


Duplicate post on paulajogalix.wordpress.com.



Jo Alix-Juab

A Filipino expat currently living and working as a corporate warrior in Singapore, aiming to share experiences with the people who have the same interests. I’m globetrotting my way through the world, one country at a time, with my reluctant but incredibly loving and supportive hubby by my side, and while keeping sustainability in mind.

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