Simon Cameron, the managing director of our go-to travel advisor Lightfoot Travel, lived in Sri Lanka growing up, so it’s fair to say that he knows the trending destination pretty darn well.
You’re probably thinking, how did he end up in the island-country? Well, Cameron Senior (Simon’s father) was a military attaché covering Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and was based at the British Embassy in Colombo. Needless to say, it was an interesting time for Simon – the Indian Army peacekeeping mission and the attempted coup in the Maldives happened while he was living there. He still fondly remembers the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, and returns whenever he can. We sit down with Simon to ask him all about this paradise he once called home.
Where in Sri Lanka did you grow up?
I grew up in Colombo 3, a leafy suburb of the capital. I lived there for nearly four years, and fondly remember exploring the country with my family at 11 years old. We would set off every weekend in our Land Rover to some of the most remote areas and villages. When we left Sri Lanka, my mother started specialised tour company that promoted Sri Lanka to outbound UK travellers in the form of bespoke holidays. The company was rebranded to Lightfoot Travel after 23 years in the wake of her retirement.
What are the things about Sri Lanka you keep dearest in your heart?
Sri Lanka is such a fascinating country – it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few things. For me, what really stand out are the people, the beauty and diversity of the island, and the food. The locals are extremely friendly and hospitable; we always felt at home there. The landscapes are very diverse in Sri Lanka: you can go from visiting tea plantations and observing leopards in lush vegetation to strolling through colonial towns and relaxing by the beach. And of course, the cuisine is absolutely divine, and incredibly fiery too!
Sri Lanka is known for their stunning beaches. Which is your favourite and why?
I love the small beaches in and around Galle, like Why Beach and Wijaya Beach. Much of the coast in the South is too rough for safe swimming, but these little beaches are protected by a natural lagoon, so it’s great for kids. Wijaya has a great little beach bar that makes the best wood-fired pizzas on the island, not to mention a mean margarita.
The North East of Sri Lanka (just North of Trincomalee) also boast some spectacular beaches such as Nilaveli. The area had seen new boutique hotels popping up since the end of the war. If you love snorkelling, make trips to Pigeon Island, which is just off the coast.
What are the five must-dos in Sri Lanka?
- In Galle, make time for a bout of shopping. The city is filled with charming boutiques.
- Eat an egg hopper, a Sri Lankan pancake, with traditional sambal.
- Visit the tea estates. One of our favourite properties is the Tea Trails, which has an insightful guided tour of its plantations by their Resident Tea Planter.
- The Esala Perahera festival in Kandy, which falls in August, is unmissable. It honours the tooth relic of the Buddha with numerous colourful and lively parades featuring elephants.
- Camp in Yala National Park to see wild leopards and elephants
What are some common misconceptions about Sri Lanka?
Although geographically small, it takes a very long time to drive to the different regions, as roads are not great. Prepare for long bumpy journeys if heading into the interior.
Is there anything in Sri Lanka that you haven’t gotten round to doing yourself?
I would love to visit the Tamil town of Jaffna in the North. For years, it was the centre of the civil war, and is now slowly opening up to tourism. It would be great to visit before the destination gets peppered with too many tourists. I have also yet to visit the surfing town of Arugam Bay in the South East.
Describe the Sri Lankan cuisine and culture.
The curries are amazing, and the island is full of fresh fruit, perfect for completing your spicy meal! The cuisine is quite unique, and can only be described as a fusion of Indian, Arabic, Malay, Portuguese, Dutch and English cuisine.
Fresh fish and crab from the markets is a must. If you stop by a small village in Sri Lanka, ask to be shown around and you will be amazed by what the villages grow – pepper, chillies, spices, avocado, pineapple, bananas, coconuts, mangos, limes etc.
Tell us your favourite places to eat, drink and shop in Sri Lanka.
Colombo offers some good shopping and you can have a fun night out. If you’re visiting for the first time, the fort town of Galle is a must-visit. I really like having a long lunch at Kahanda Kanda, afternoon tea at Amangalla, and The Sun House for dinner. Arrive earlier at The Sun House a sunset cocktail at Dick’s Bar.
Tea Trails
Where should we stay?
Sri Lanka is blessed with many wonderful and unique boutique hotels including Kahanda Kanda, Tea Trails, and Amangalla. Villa options are also extremely diverse and high-end. I particularly enjoy the hidden villas at Uda Kanda and 20 Middle Street. The latter is tucked away on a quiet street behind Amangalla.
What are the best ways to get in and around?
Fly to Colombo, and then travel by private car with a driver and guide. It’s not easy to navigate around the island on your own. To cut travelling time, take the seaplanes and domestic flights to towns like Galle, Tangalle, Trincomalee and Kandy from Colombo.
Amangalla
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
My favourite time to visit Sri Lanka is between February and April, when the weather is best. Though small , Sri Lanka is affected by two separate monsoons: the first one hits the west, southwest coast and hill country between May to September and the second hits the east coast between November to March. There are advantages to travelling during monsoon, though: it’s less crowded, accommodations are cheaper and it doesn’t actually rain all day.
Any secret gems of the country not found in guidebooks?
Yes, and literally too! Gem shopping is pretty amazing in the country, and we have some great gem shop partners who will give Lightfoot travellers a special rate. It really comes down to having the best guides who can help you make the most out of your visit.
This article was brought to you by Lightfoot Travel, a Singapore-based luxury tour operator offering expert travel advice & inspiration, tailor-made itineraries & full booking services.