Expedia’s Australia and New Zealand Marketing Manager Bec experienced the full flavour of Sri Lanka.
There were several reasons I visited Sri Lanka – heat, pools, tropical weather – but I was surprised to discover one of my favourite experiences was having the right to enjoy a delicious curry and butter-soaked naan for breakfast. It stood me in good stead for whatever lay ahead. Whether it was an exhilarating minivan ride to our next destination (playing chicken with vans coming in the opposite direction), a climb up among the bright green leafy tea plantations, exploring the walled Portuguese influenced city of Galle or one of the many long walks along Sri Lanka’s south west beaches.
In my short visit to Sri Lanka I may not have ticked off all ‘the must dos’, but I certainly attempted a fair few in the culinary sense. In Colombo my inquisitiveness required I sample an ‘egg hopper’ – a thin egg pancake shaped by the vase-shaped pan it’s cooked in – delicious when drowned in maple syrup. Up in the tea plantations I focused my attention on family home cooking, sampling spicy potato curry and plenty of obligatory cups of fresh tea. The 98 Acres Resort sits on a mountain peak in the middle of a tea plantation has the best views for freshly baked cakes and of course, a cup of tea.
More exciting mini van rides later, I watched the sun disappear in Tangalla, sipping on a cold Lion Lager beer and munching on seriously addictive devilled cashew nuts – spiced with chilly and fried curry leaves.
I was fortunate enough to stay at the Vivanta by Taj in Bentota where The Palms Restaurant is just steps from the tranquil pool. After a dip I lunged into a huge Sri Lankan platter with a range of goodies – curries, chutneys and spicy pol sambol (coconut).
