New Years in Sri Lanka.

[moisheyb]

Still trying to figure out. Would like to see both the beaches and interior, but might be tough with our limited time there.

If I were you I would skip the beaches and check the interior. You'll have plenty of gorgeous water and beaches in the Maldives

[theyankel]

been reading a lot today but did you mention what you did about food? great TR so far...

[Emkay]

been reading a lot today but did you mention what you did about food? great TR so far...

Shabbos I spent by Chabad. For the rest of the time it was a mixture of buying local ingredients and bringing along some prepared food. I bring a small burner and frying pan, there are dozens of options.

[Drago]

I bring a small burner and frying pan, there are dozens of options.

exactly, having this and you can make most of what you'll need
we brought a quick-cook bread type of mixture, and made sabbath bread on the pan

[ponash123]

Great TR!

I have a couple of questions @Emkay

1. Can you provide the names of the hotels you stayed at in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya
2. What time of year did you go that had such bad humidity?
3. Is there any Kosher food to be had there?

[Emkay]

Great TR!

I have a couple of questions @Emkay

1. Can you provide the names of the hotels you stayed at in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya
2. What time of year did you go that had such bad humidity?
3. Is there any Kosher food to be had there?

1) Cinnamon Red right next to Chabad in Colombo. Heritance Tea Factory in Nuwara  Eliya.
2) March
3) There's a Chabad. Not really a largely frequented location but they made food. They deliver also.

[ponash123]

Thanks. No trouble bringing food into the country, right?

[Emkay]

Thanks. No trouble bringing food into the country, right?

Correct. Doesn't mean it's allowed though.

[ponash123]

Correct. Doesn't mean it's allowed though.

Got it. Thanks

[moisheyb]

Got it. Thanks

I vaguely recall hearing there's another chabad elsewhere in Sri Lanka.

[PBaruch]

Great TR - really enjoyed.

[ponash123]

I vaguely recall hearing there's another chabad elsewhere in Sri Lanka.

There is. One in Colombo and the other is currently in Hikkaduwa until Pesach. They'll then be moving to Arugam Bay

[moisheyb]

There is. One in Colombo and the other is currently in Hikkaduwa until Pesach. They'll then be moving to Arugam Bay

[iamhappyz]

If you are going for Shabbos Cinnamon Red is a problem because of the electric doors and the rooms don't start until the 10th floor so you need to walk up a lot of stairs.  There is B&B Casons which is next door to cinnamon red and across the street from Chabad. It is not as nice as Cinnamon Red but it is clean and there is no problem with any of the doors, door to your room is a key and the highest floor is the third floor.  The only problem is that the rooms are noisy.  You need to ask for a back room and even then you will hear the cars from the street.  I would recommend for shabbos, if you are going to be there longer, I would suggest staying somewhere else.  But I will reiterate what emkay said there really is not much to do in Colombo so unless you have reason to no point in staying there much longer then Shabbos. 
We stayed in Ella in 98 Acres Hotel,  it is expensive for Sri Lanka, $180 a night (can get rooms in hotel for $75 and b&b for even less).
However, if you are going for one night and want a stunning view and something really special this definitely was.  When you stay at this hotel you are half way up to mini Adams Peak so instead of having to climb there at 4 am to be at mini Adams Peak at sunrise, you get the same view from your bedroom window.  The only problem is we couldn't book online, not sure if wasn't available or officially needed a two day stay.  But we called when we got there and luckily they had availability for the night we needed. Could be if we would have called earlier would have also been able to book not sure.

[ponash123]

If you are going for Shabbos Cinnamon Red is a problem because of the electric doors and the rooms don't start until the 10th floor so you need to walk up a lot of stairs.  There is B&B Casons which is next door to cinnamon red and across the street from Chabad. It is not as nice as Cinnamon Red but it is clean and there is no problem with any of the doors, door to your room is a key and the highest floor is the third floor.  The only problem is that the rooms are noisy.  You need to ask for a back room and even then you will hear the cars from the street.  I would recommend for shabbos, if you are going to be there longer, I would suggest staying somewhere else.  But I will reiterate what emkay said there really is not much to do in Colombo so unless you have reason to no point in staying there much longer then Shabbos. 
We stayed in Ella in 98 Acres Hotel,  it is expensive for Sri Lanka, $180 a night (can get rooms in hotel for $75 and b&b for even less).
However, if you are going for one night and want a stunning view and something really special this definitely was.  When you stay at this hotel you are half way up to mini Adams Peak so instead of having to climb there at 4 am to be at mini Adams Peak at sunrise, you get the same view from your bedroom window.  The only problem is we couldn't book online, not sure if wasn't available or officially needed a two day stay.  But we called when we got there and luckily they had availability for the night we needed. Could be if we would have called earlier would have also been able to book not sure.

Thanks for this information! 98 Acres does look amazing, wow. I'm also unable to book or see rates online, I emailed them.
Was not planning on being in Ella, but this is making me rethink it

[iamhappyz]

How long are you going for and where are you planning on going to?  If you are going North to South or vice versa probably will pass near Ella.  Mini Adams Peak which is in Ella has beautiful views and have been told that unless you are a die hard hiker, the views you get from mini Adams Peak with only 300 steps as opposed to regular Adams Peak with 5000 steps are pretty close and you are a lot less sore from the hike.

[ponash123]

I am not planning on doing north. Tentativley planning on South - Galle, Mirissa, Yala, Nuwara Eliya. I'm thinking I can stop in Ella on the way from Yala to Nuwara Eliya.

[iamhappyz]

How many days are you going for?  If you are going to Nuwara Eliya you pass right by Ella.  It seemed to me that mostly one long road and though when you look on google maps looks out of the way you somehow end up passing through anyway cuz that is the way the road works.  Kinda like in Israel, not a lot of side highways but a few main roads that you take regardless where you are going.  It is not a big deal to do both but depends what you want to do when you are there. Also make sure that when you are going it is not rainy season in any of the areas you plan on being in.