08/08/2026
踏上斯里蘭卡國土，熱風襲來。
人民臉上總是掛著笑容，遇到的，大多是親切而友善的人。這個國家好像總有一種很奇妙的魔力，即使街道有些喧鬧，生活有些粗獷，卻總讓人感受到一種很真實的溫度。
這趟旅程有漁村、佛寺，也有山城與濱海城市，最後再回到熱鬧的首都科倫坡。
從沿海的小鎮開始，看漁民與大海一起生活。走進古老的佛寺，在香火與鐘聲裡感受斯里蘭卡的信仰。一路往山裡走，來到Ella，看茶園、山巒與經典的九拱橋。再一路南下，到Yala坐上Safari Jeep，在荒野裡尋找大象、鹿、猴子，也幸運地與這片土地上的野生動物相遇。
然後來到Galle。走進被城牆包圍的Galle Fort，時間彷彿慢了下來。殖民時代留下的老建築、石板路、咖啡館與印度洋的海風交錯在一起，讓這座古城有種說不出的慵懶。
住宿也隨著旅程一路變化。
從溫暖而有人情味的家庭式民宿，到藏在小城裡的Boutique Hotel，再到面向印度洋的海景酒店。每天醒來，看見的風景不同，旅行的節奏也跟著改變。
最後回到Colombo。從安靜的海邊走進城市的喧囂，穿過傳統市場，看街上的人群、三輪車與老建築交織在一起。再走到Fort和Dutch Hospital一帶，看見這座城市新舊並存的模樣。
這幾天沒有刻意追趕太多景點。有時候只是沿著街道慢慢走，有時候坐上一趟火車，看窗外的村落、棕櫚樹與海岸線一點一點往後退。有時候什麼也不做，只找一間餐廳坐下來，吃一頓當地的飯。
旅行大概就是這樣。不是把一個地方所有的風景都帶走，而是在短暫停留的日子裡，留下幾個屬於自己的片段。
而斯里蘭卡留給我們的，是印度洋的風、山裡的霧、火車窗外掠過的風景，還有那些遇見時總會對你微笑的人。
Stepping onto Sri Lankan soil, we were greeted by the warmth of the tropical air.
People here always seem to have a smile on their faces, and most of the people we met were warm, kind and welcoming. There is something quietly magical about this country. Even though the streets can be noisy and life can feel a little rough around the edges, there is a genuine warmth that stays with you.
This journey took us through fishing villages, Buddhist temples, mountain towns and coastal cities, before finally bringing us back to the lively capital, Colombo.
We started along the coast, watching fishermen living alongside the sea. We wandered into ancient Buddhist temples, surrounded by incense and the sound of bells, and experienced a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s deep-rooted faith. Then we headed into the mountains to Ella, where tea plantations, misty hills and the iconic Nine Arch Bridge became part of our journey.
Further south, we joined a safari in Yala National Park, driving through the wilderness in search of elephants, deer and monkeys. It was a privilege to encounter some of the wildlife that calls this land home.
Then came Galle.
Walking through the walls of Galle Fort, time seemed to slow down. Colonial-era buildings, cobblestone streets, little cafés and the sea breeze from the Indian Ocean came together to create a kind of timeless charm.
The places we stayed also changed with the journey.
From warm and intimate family-run guesthouses, to charming boutique hotels tucked away in small towns, and finally to a seaside hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean. Every morning brought a different view, and somehow, the rhythm of the journey changed with it.
And finally, back to Colombo.
From the quiet coastline into the energy of the city, we walked through traditional markets filled with people, tuk-tuks and old buildings. We wandered around Fort and Dutch Hospital, where the old and the new exist side by side.
We did not try to rush through too many attractions these past few days.
Sometimes, we simply walked along the streets with no particular destination. Sometimes, we took a train and watched villages, palm trees and coastlines slowly disappear outside the window. And sometimes, we did nothing at all, just finding a small restaurant and sitting down for a local meal.
Perhaps that is what travelling is really about.
Not taking every view and every experience home with us, but leaving a place with a few moments that belong only to us.
Sri Lanka leaves us with the warmth of the Indian Ocean breeze, the mist of the mountains, the passing scenery outside a train window, and the smiles of the people we met along the way.
As we leave this island once again, we realise that some places are simply destinations the first time we visit them. When we return, we begin to truly understand them.
