Waves, Wildlife, and Love: Tarun's Sri Lankan Honeymoon Adventure with Thrillophilia
“Sri Lanka? Why not Himachal or Uttarakhand– in our time, these used to be the best honeymoon destinations?”
That’s what everyone said when we shared our honeymoon plans of going to Sri Lanka. Even though it was difficult for our families to understand, I knew well that the dense jungles, wildlife sightings, and exciting water sports were exactly what my adventurous wife was looking for!
“Baba, Sri Lanka has plenty of mountains and so much more than that. We will have fun, please do not worry!” I tried my best to assure my parents while my beautiful wife stood, fingers crossed nervously.
Sri Lanka Through Our Eyes!
When we first set foot in Sri Lanka, I had no idea how much this island would steal my heart, especially with my lovely wife by my side.
Our adventure began in Kandy, a city right in the middle of beautiful mountains and abundant greenery. Our first stop was the famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Honestly, I’ll never forget the sight of elephants splashing water in the river.
"Look at that baby elephant!" she whispered, eyes wide with wonder. We both felt so close to nature that day.
We also covered some other beautiful spots in Kandy like the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue and the serene Huluganga Waterfall. The waterfall was incredible, but what made this experience so memorable was the narrow trail hike- our first trek was a game-changer!
Next, we made our way to Nuwara Eliya, also known as ‘Little England’. Honestly, I am falling short of words to describe the beauty of this place. The gentle breeze, fragrant flowers, and lush green landscapes- it felt like we had entered another world. We spent our days boating on Gregory Lake, strolling through Victoria Park, and visiting Ramboda Falls. I loved it here as it was so peaceful, just the two of us, taking our time and soaking it all in.
However, her favourite part of the trip? Yala. The moment we entered Yala National Park, it felt like stepping into a wildlife documentary. We spotted deer, peacocks, leopards and what not. My wife was absolutely thrilled, constantly snapping pictures. But me? I was secretly praying none of these wild animals would see us as their dinner! (More on that later!)
Our trip ended in Bentota, commonly known as the ‘City of Golden Beaches.’ The stunning beaches and the water sports here were exactly what we needed to end our honeymoon on an adventurous note. We started our tour by visiting the Kande Viahara Temple and then ended the day by relaxing at the stunning Ventura Beach.
When Love Meets Adventure!
Our honeymoon was not just about sightseeing, it was also about unforgettable experiences that we’ll cherish forever.
In my opinion, one of the most memorable moments was watching the traditional Kandyan Dance performance in Kandy. The vibrant costumes, the rhythmic beats and graceful moves, felt like the perfect welcome to Sri Lanka. My wife couldn’t stop smiling the whole time, and I was happy to be sharing that moment with her.
Then there were the scenic boat rides. There was something incredibly romantic about simply gliding through calm waters, just the two of us, surrounded by nature. As the sun set over the lake, I held her hand and thought, “This is it, this is paradise.”
But then came the real thrill of our trip– the wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Sometimes we raced, whereas, sometimes we crawled through the park. My wife would squeal every time we spotted a new animal. “Oh my god, a crocodile!” she’d shout, while I just gripped my seat tightly. Honestly, it was a mix of excitement and mild panic, but we loved every second of it. “Do you think we’ll see a tiger?” she asked with curiosity. I just laughed nervously, saying, “Let’s hope not!”
The adventure didn’t stop there- we made our way to Bentota Beach, where my wife insisted on snorkelling. As much as I feared the underwater world, I couldn’t say no to her infectious excitement.
“Come on, you’ll love it!” she teased. I hesitantly agreed, and to my surprise, it was pretty amazing. Watching her laugh through her snorkelling gear as she tried to catch a fish every time was priceless.
But then, of course, came her next request- sofa surfing. Now, unlike snorkelling, this was a high-speed, water-filled ride that looked downright terrifying.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, my heart racing. As always, she replied with a mischievous grin. "Come on, it'll be fun!" With that, we hopped onto the inflatable sofa, and the ride began…
As we bounced through the waves, I clenched the rope as if my life depended on it. Whereas, my wife couldn’t stop her laughter, clearly enjoying the thrill of it all. After what felt like an eternity, the ride ended, and we collapsed onto the shore, laughing like a couple of kids.
She asked, “Was that scary for you?”
“Let’s just say I’m not a fan of water sports,” I finally confessed.
“So, is this trip everything you wished for?"?” I asked, still trying to catch my breath.
With a big smile, she replied, “More than you know.”
In that instant, every heart-racing second and every penny spent on this trip was totally worth it!
Read More: Thrillophilia Sri Lanka Reviews