The journey continues to Nochcholai- Marawila.

Next up, we took the bus from Anuradhapura to Palaviya. It was now approaching the end of my 6th week in Sri Lanka. 

It was very hot, I did not even have to move, and I was sweating. 

Upon arrival in Palaviya, we hired a tuk-tuk to take us to our accommodation in Nochcholai- Cocos Cabana. 

The Nochcholai area stood out to us, seemingly being more agriculturally focused than other regions on the island. Compared to more urbanized or fishing-dominated coastal areas, we observed a higher concentration of crop production, with fields of vegetables and other produce forming a key part of the landscape; some people’s entire yards surrounding their houses were filled with crops! They also have very sophisticated irrigation systems. 

We were very pleased to see this. 

We were so thrilled upon arrival at this accommodation. It was simple, but extremely comfortable. The whole property was sandy, and there were lots of coconut, palmyra, and banana trees growing. The owners were so accommodating, we truly felt like queens. Sashini brought us fresh juice upon our arrival, and her father-in-law, Gilbert, set up a hammock between the coconut trees for us to enjoy.

Next to the accommodation was a small path that led to the beach. The adjacent property seemed to be a coconut palm plantation, which was very visually appealing.

This area appeared less developed than others, with fewer signs of modern infrastructure and development, aside from the windmills and power generation plant, which stood out like a sore thumb. Overall, the landscape was more rural and functional. It was inspiring to see the community’s strong reliance on agriculture and fishing rather than commercial or urban growth.
It contributed to a setting that felt less polished and more utilitarian.

The family owned a small restaurant on the beachfront, and we were very eager to eat as much seafood as we possibly could while we were exploring the coast.
We were very impressed with the ambiance.

Dinner at the beach restaurant

Our dinner was delightful: crabs, an assortment of curries, and grandma’s new favorite, Pitthu!

The next day was very relaxing. The atmosphere at Cocos Cabana was perfect for lying back and enjoying Island time. We also enjoyed slowly strolling along the beachfront.

That night at dinner, we had a real treat. The freshest tuna fish you could ask for.

We each got half of the fish…
I have only ever eaten very small servings of tuna, but I never realized how filling half a fish would be! Especially accompanied by rice and curry, I have never been so stuffed in my entire lifetime!

We enjoyed a bonfire that Sachini had lit, mesmerized by the flames, before heading back to the accommodation for the night.

To Marawila by “luxury bus”.

In the morning, we packed our bags, ready to head to Marawila by luxury bus. We were expecting the same kind of experience that we had from Mannar to Anuradapura… which was not at all the case. As we boarded the bus, we noticed it was jammed packed like a can of sardines. We could barely move, and the seats we had booked were in the back of the bus! We were not impressed by having to squeeze past many other passengers crammed in the aisle.

Upon arrival in Marawila, we had to squeeze past again; needless to say, we were very relieved when we exited the bus.
In Marawila, we visited a retirement residence for German/European citizens. It was a nice place, and we were able to chat with a few kind people.

We did not stay long in Marawila, only one night, but in our time there, we visited the beach one last time.

That evening, we found a juice bar with excellent fresh-fruit juice. We decided we would return for dinner… That was the only time during my Sri Lanka experience when I thought it might be better to leave it alone. The smell of the food was rather off-putting. Otherwise, on the journey, we ate very well, so I was okay with skipping this dinner.
The next day, we hired a driver to bring us back to Walgama, concluding our final travel in Sri Lanka during my 7th week.

Final weeks in the village Walgama

I spent my final 2 weeks enjoying the village’s peacefulness and one final outing to Kandy. And I could not leave Sri-Lanka without one last walk around Kandy Lake and lunch at Wesley’s.

I have been in Sri Lanka for almost 2 months now, and as my time here comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on a journey filled with incredible, unforgettable moments. From the tranquil beauty of the coastline to the lush, misty inland hills and the warm, hardy landscapes of the dry zone, every part of this island that we visited offered a unique experience.

Beyond the scenery, it was the people who truly made this experience special. Their kindness, warmth, and generosity will stay with me. And of course, the vibrant, flavorful food was an experience in itself. Sri Lanka has been more than just a destination- It left its mark on the way I view the world now, and it became a chapter that I will cherish, wherever life takes me next.

End of Journey and on the way home

As my journey came to an end, we departed from Walgama village early in the afternoon. I said goodbye to the trees and the critters, and we made our way back to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
On the way, we stopped one last time for a meal. I want to enjoy one last portion of Kottu. Instead I had fried rice , adding lots of chili flakes. I swore that next time I come, I would improve my spice tolerance.
Upon arrival at the airport, I said goodbye to Grandma and Thusil, thanking them for making my trip pleasant.

Due to the conflict in the Middle East, flights over Dubai were very expensive and unpredictable; therefore, I was lucky to find a different route: Colombo –> Incheon –> Minneapolis –> Toronto

My flight in Colombo was delayed by about 4 hours, so I walked around and around, taking in all the overpriced items. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we boarded the plane. Upon receiving my first meal, I was extremely delighted to see it was none other than Kottu! I enjoyed every last bite. I slept for the rest of the flight to Korea.

In Korea

Upon arrival in Korea, I was very thankful to get off the plane. I passed through customs and caught the shuttle train to Terminal 2, where my next flight would depart 8 hours later. As I explored, I noticed so many duty-free shops, jam-packed with expensive items. I browsed a bit to waste some time, but most stores were so materialistic and overpriced that I wasn’t interested in making any purchases.

Next, I had to try some Asian cuisine at the airport.
I had Seolleongtang, a traditional Korean soup made from ox bones, served with thin slices of beef, along with rice, kimchi, and small side dishes.
I also had Jjamppong, a Korean-Chinese noodle soup. It had a flavorful broth filled with seafood, noodles, and vegetables.
I was definitely fueled up for the next leg of my journey. I became very tired throughout my time in Incheon, even though I slept on the airplane from Colombo; airplane sleep is never very satisfying.
As soon as we boarded the plane in Incheon, I was asleep before we even properly took off.
I slept the whole 12 hours from Incheon to Minneapolis, only waking to move my legs a little, which became very stiff and sore from all the sitting.

Minneapolis

Arriving in Minneapolis, I felt like the walking dead, but I only had a short time to go before I was back in my cozy bed.
Customs was very busy here, and I was concerned I would miss my next flight, as I had only a 2-hour layover. There were only 3 border control agents for the masses of people waiting to pass through. I luckily got through with a few minutes to spare.
I found my gate, and then the boarding began on the plane to Toronto.
This plane was much smaller; it felt like flying in a tin can compared to the large planes I flew in to Colombo and the better half of my journey back.
I was very grateful to land in Toronto. Everything there went smoothly, I was so grateful to be back on home grounds.

I had completed my 36 hours of travel and was ready to hit the hay.

That was certainly enough, until next time.

See also Part One