u/DoBaniye

🚨 BIG NEWS FOR AMEX MEMBERS! 🎉

🏨 Amex → Hilton Honors
Before: 1,000 Amex = 900 Hilton
Now: 1,000 Amex = 1,500 Hilton 🚀
➡️** 66.7% more Hilton point**s!

✈️** Amex → Virgin Atlantic
Before: 800 Amex = 400 Virgin
Now: 800 Amex = 640 Virgin 🎉
➡️ 60% more Virgin Point**s!

This is a massive improvement for Amex points holders, especially if you already have upcoming hotel stays or flights planned.

💡 If you’ve been sitting on Amex MR points, this is definitely worth knowing before making your next transfer.

Which transfer are you more excited about — Hilton 🏨 or Virgin ✈️?

Follow r/DoBaniye to stay updated!

Also with 30% off using Swiggy Dineout

30% OFF Saver award rates on selected Singapore Airlines flights

📅 Book by: 31 Aug 2026
✈️ Travel: 1–30 Sep 2026
💺 Economy & Business Class

🇮🇳 Useful options for Indians:

Singapore → Ahmedabad
• Economy: 13,300 KrisFlyer miles
• Business: 31,500 miles

Ahmedabad/Hyderabad → Singapore
• Business: 31,500 miles

Singapore → Mumbai/Delhi / Hyderabad
• Business: 31,500 miles

⚠️ Limited seats + blackout dates apply. Taxes & fees are extra, and bookings must be made online using KrisFlyer miles.

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Not for ATM withdrawals

We spent 23 days in 2 postcard-perfect, budget-friendly nations.

Snow-covered mountains.

Stunning beaches.

X'mas markets.

And Djokovic got married on an island here!

Our detailed itinerary :

Tirana - The Beginning (Day 1 & 2)

We landed in Tirana on a cold December afternoon, collected our rental car at the airport, and drove into a city that felt both unfamiliar and strangely welcoming. It was much more metropolitan than we had expected it to be - a sweet surprise to begin with!

Dinner that night was at a small Turkish diner. The adana kebabs were so authentic that they transported us back to Turkiye. So authentic!

The next day, we wandered without hurry. Tirana is colourful, expressive. Its buildings are weirdly shaped and painted in bright hues, its strrets and cafés bustling with Paris-like vibes!

We had reserved a table at a well-known Italian restaurant. The pizza was perfect, the raki homemade and strong, and the tiramisu… rightly said to be the best! The kind you wish would never end.

That evening we found ourselves at the Christmas market. Lights shimmered. Children laughed. Music floated through the crisp air.

And then - Nouvelle Vague, ranked No. 28 in the World’s 50 Best Bars!!

We were lucky to arrive on time and get a table. The cocktails were crafted with utmost perfection and creativity, the atmosphere intimate yet electric. We even tried their mocktails and they were equally phenomenal!

Korçë - Christmas Capital Of Albania (Day 3,4 & 5)

A three-hour drive took us to Korçë.

The road there was unforgettable. We drove along Lake Ohrid - one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. Still water. Wide skies filled with sunset hues. Silence that felt sacred.

Korçë is a valley town of cobblestone streets and quiet charm. Its Orthodox Cathedral rises proudly. Ancient churches stand as witnesses to centuries.

We spent Christmas village-hopping — tasting local honey, fresh fruit jams, meeting warm-hearted people.

Here, we saw European autumn in its full glory for the first time. The colours were breathtaking. We were already mesmerised by the beauty of the landscapes and then all of a sudden, it started to snow. It couldn't get more magical!!

We visited the National Museum of Medieval Art - thousands of Byzantine and post-Byzantine works preserved with care. Walking through those halls felt like stepping into another century.

It was here that we discovered the true spirit of Christmas. We found it within the ruins of a small, ancient church, where the stones seemed to hold a thousand years of prayer. We did not expect to find such profound warmth and love. The people embraced us as though we had belonged to their community since the beginning. We left that place feeling changed - more grateful, and perhaps, a little better than we were before.

Përmet - Hot Springs (Day 6)

We drove 3 hours to experience the hot springs of Përmet on a freezing winter morning. However, we couldn't really get inside the hot springs because of some construction work being out carried there.

Yet even standing 25 feet above, we could feel the warmth rising through the cold air. Steam brushing gently against the mountains.

Gjirokastër - A UNESCO World Heritage Site (Day 7)

Gjirokastër is a rare and beautifully preserved Ottoman town built into the mountainside.

We stayed in the heart of Old Bazaar, inside a heritage building. The streets were steep and alive with artisan shops and small cafés.

The fortress above the town is one of the largest in the Balkans - immense, powerful, and meticulously preserved.

Inside were exhibits of weapons, prison cells, and even a captured American spy plane. Walking through it, we felt the weight of history and Albania’s past told with sincerity. It was definitely the best museums we had ever been to.

Later in the evening, we visited a famous diner and tried the local specialities of the region and the best was Oshaf - a local dessert made with sheep’s milk. Unexpected, delicate, and surprisingly comforting.

Already impressed by Albania's bar scenes in Tirana, we decided to visit a Cocktail Bar for late night drinks and it turned out to be a wonderful decision! Totally blown away!!

Berat - The City of a Thousand Windows (Day 8 & 9)

After another 3 hours drive from Gjirokastërr, we reached Berat.

White Ottoman houses climb the hills like a painting. The castle, over 2,000 years old and still inhabited, watches over the city.

And we stayed inside the castle!

It felt like living inside a museum - stone pathways and walls, well-preserved ancient artifacts, quiet courtyards, views stretching endlessly into the valley.

We spent our days walking slowly, sometimes hiking, absorbing the stillness, watching sunsets from ancient walls. Immensely peaceful.

Just down the hill was the new town of Berat, which gave us a big city vibe with lot of cafes and restaurants. It also had a small but cute X'mas market and the city was decorated beautifully for the holiday season. Such contrast!

Krujë - Shopping from a 400-year-old market (Day 10)

Krujë sits high in the mountains, once the capital of Albania in medieval times.

We stayed in a cosy Airbnb that had stunning views of the castle, the valley and the Old Bazaar.

We hiked to Krujë Castle, explored the Skanderbeg Museum, and stood looking out over vast countryside views.

Lunch at the top with a gorgeous sunset view over the Adriatic sea was the highlight of our day!

On the way down, we walked through the 400-year-old Ottoman bazaar, famous for handmade silver jewellery, traditional clothes and handicrafts. We bought so many things that Manasi could do a separate "Shopping Haul" video here 😂

Practical Details:

Visa:

We applied for an Albanian e-Visa which took about a month to arrive.

The process is old-school. They accept swift payment only, no credit cards, no online payments for visa fee. Documents must be scanned through proper scanners as they don't accept documents scanned via scanning apps on the phone.

Cost: €15 per person + bank charges.

(Still far simpler and cheaper than a Schengen visa process)

Flights:

LOT Polish Airlines

Delhi – via Warsaw – Tirana

Round trip: ₹65.7K per person.

Albania surprised us.

It was raw, beautiful, layered with history, and filled with quiet moments that stay with you long after you leave.

And this was only half the story.

Follow r/DoBaniye for Part 2, where we visit the 2nd country of this trip - Prepare to be swept away by its insane beauty and our exciting travel stories!

Luxury Room – 3 Nights for 2 Adults starting from ₹49.5K (THB 17,184)

What’s included:
✔️ 3rd Night FREE
✔️ Daily Breakfast for 2
✔️ $100 Hotel Credit
✔️ Welcome Note & Amenities
✔️ Complimentary Upgrade, Early Check-in & Late Checkout (subject to availability)
✔️ Free Cancellation up to 1 day before stay
✔️ Taxes

Fill this form to book your luxury stay

From the first card to learning about rewards, points, milestones and travel hacks, it’s been quite a journey.

Now we want to know about yours 👇

What was your first credit card, and when did you get it?

Open only for today and tomorrow

We've been getting this question a lot lately, especially from people considering closing their Amex cards.

The best answer is always: transfer only when you have a redemption in mind.

But if you must move your points and don't have a plan yet, here's the safest fallback:

✅ Transfer to Marriott Bonvoy

Why?

🏨 Redeem for hotel stays worldwide
✈️ Marriott points can also be transferred to multiple airline loyalty programs later if needed
⏳ Points expire after 2 years of inactivity, but any account activity extends the validity
💡 Even a tiny transfer (for example, transferring points from ITC using an Axis card) counts as activity and resets the expiry clock.

It's not always the highest-value redemption, but it keeps your options open until you decide how you want to use your points.

Hope this helps anyone planning their Amex exit! ❤️

Follow r/DoBaniye to stay updated!

Reached a big milestone on Instagram, 10K!

Follow us there if you’re active on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dobaniye

Further devaluation incoming from 10 September 2026:

❌ ₹1.9L milestone → 7,500 MR points REMOVED
✅ ₹4L milestone → 10,000 MR points UNCHANGED
❌ ₹7L milestone → 22,500 MR points REMOVED
🎁 Replaced with a ₹20,000 Taj Experiences e-Gift Card

So, at ₹7L spends, you’ll now get:

🎁 ₹20,000 Taj voucher
➕ 10,000 MR points

For a card built around milestone rewards, this is a massive downgrade. 📉

Would you still keep the card?

Follow r/DoBaniye and our Whatsapp Channel to stay updated!

2gm Gold Coin at ₹3,450 OFF using HDFC Cards!

₹15,074/gm vs ₹15,284 market price

₹1,750 instant discount with HDFC cards
₹1,700 new coupon on ₹20,000+ jewellery purchase
Plus card rewards!

Buy 2gm Gold Coin

⚠️ Limited stock: buy before it sells out!

Can use it 3 times according to terms and conditions

Share it with someone who loves buying gold!

✈️ Flights: ₹16,200 + 38,000 HDFC Infinia Points

🏨 Hotels: ₹83,000 + 13,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points (earned via Amex MRCC)

🚙 Transportation: ₹42,000 (Taxi, Train & Bike)

🍜 Food: ₹65,000

🏔️ Activities: ₹45,000 (Snorkelling, Dolphin Watching, Pigeon Island, Ambuluwawa, Botanical Garden, Temples & Tea Experiences)

💰 Total Trip Value: ₹3.02 Lakhs

💳 Actual Cash Spent: ₹2.51 Lakhs

🎯 Points Redeemed: 51,000

✨ Points Earned Back: 12,000

Using the right credit cards didn't just reduce our trip cost, it also earned enough points towards our next vacation. 🌍

Share this with someone planning a Sri Lanka trip! 🇱🇰

In May, Sanket surprised Manasi with an impromptu 13-day trip to the quieter side of SL!

A side of misty mountains, ancient temples, empty beaches, dolphins, reef sharks and magical starry nights!

Here's our story.

Manasi had visited years ago, soaking in the popular West Coast and its famous beaches.

But there was a side of the island she’d been longing to see: the untouched East Coast and the famous Central Highlands.

Sanket caught the perfect window and planned this ultimate bucket-list getaway to fulfil Manasi’s wishes!

We took an evening flight from Bangalore and landed in Colombo late at night.

We checked into a cozy Airbnb for the night.

The next morning, we hired a private taxi that would take us all the way from Colombo to Kandy.

But before reaching Kandy, we had one exciting stop planned - Ambuluwawa.

The drive towards Ambuluwawa itself is incredibly scenic.

As the roads started climbing higher, the views became prettier with every turn.

When the famous white tower finally appeared in the distance, it almost looked unreal.

The tower stands 157 feet tall and has one of the narrowest spiral staircases we've ever climbed.
The higher we went...
The narrower it became.
There were moments when two people could barely cross each other.
We laughed.
We got slightly nervous.
We wondered if we'd made a mistake.
But by then, there was no turning back.
And then...
We reached the top.

Every bit of nervousness disappeared instantly.
The view was breathtaking.
Rolling green hills stretched endlessly into the horizon.
Tiny villages looked like miniature models.
Clouds floated below us.

It was the perfect beginning to our trip.

By evening, we reached our Airbnb in Kandy.

After a long day on the road, we weren't looking for anything fancy.

We found a cosy little Italian restaurant close to our stay, Just good food with your favourite person after a beautiful day.

The next day was dedicated to the most peaceful places we've ever visited in Sri Lanka.
Starting with the Royal Botanical Gardens,

We had heard people recommend it before, but we honestly weren't expecting it to leave such a lasting impression.

Originally built as a royal pleasure garden for the Kandyan kings before being expanded by the British, today it is considered one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia.

Spread over nearly 150 acres, it houses more than 4,000 species of plants from around the world.

But numbers don't really describe how beautiful it feels.

Towering palm avenues welcomed us as we entered.
Massive bamboo groves swayed gently with the wind.

Centuries-old trees spread their branches so wide that entire families sat beneath them enjoying picnics.

The orchid house was bursting with colour.

Every path looked like it had been painted with different shades of green.

It was one of those rare places where you don't feel the need to rush from one attraction to another.
Instead...
You simply walk.
Slowly.
Without checking the time.

And being complete history lovers, we decided to do something slightly different after lunch.

Most tourists visiting Kandy head straight to the famous Temple of the Tooth.
We chose another route.

Instead, we spent our afternoon exploring what is popularly known as Kandy's Three Temple Circuit/Loop.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made on the trip.

These temples may not receive as many visitors, but together they tell the story of Sri Lanka's incredible religious, artistic and architectural heritage.

Our first stop was Gadaladeniya Temple, built in the 14th century during the Gampola Kingdom.
Unlike most temples we had seen before, its architecture carries strong South Indian influences and is built almost entirely out of stone.

It features a grand main seated Buddha under a detailed dragon arch and a subsidiary stupa crowned with four smaller surrounding stupas.

Next came Lankatilaka Temple.

Its impressive blend of Sinhalese and Dravidian architecture makes it one of the country's architectural masterpieces.

Perched high on a ridge overlooking paddy fields and distant blue mountain ranges, Lankatilaka is considered the most architecturally ambitious structure of the Gampola era.
Built as a multi-tiered edifice (originally four stories high), its white-washed walls house massive Buddha statues flanked by shrines dedicated to guardian deities (Vishnu, Kataragam, Vibhishan, and Saman).

It also worships Hindu deities like Ganesh along with Buddhism, which was astonishing to watch.

The priest of the temple gave us a detailed description of the temple architecture and its significance. We enjoyed it thoroughly.

The final stop was Embekka Devalaya.

It is famous across Sri Lanka for its extraordinary wooden carvings. Many historians consider them among the finest examples of traditional Sinhalese craftsmanship.

Every wooden pillar seemed to have a different design.
Dancers.
Animals.
Flowers.
Mythical creatures.
The amount of detail carved into wood hundreds of years ago is simply unbelievable.

As two people who genuinely enjoy history more than crowded tourist attractions, this entire temple circuit felt incredibly special.

We had walked through centuries of Sri Lankan history.

The next morning, it was time to leave Kandy for Ella.

Like most people visiting Sri Lanka, we had dreamt of doing the famous Kandy to Ella train journey, often called one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

But nature had other plans.
The devastating cyclone the previous year had damaged parts of the railway track between Kandy and Nanu Oya, making it impossible to do the entire route.

Instead of giving up, we booked an Uber to Ambewela Railway Station, from where the trains were operating normally.

Taking the road trip to Ambewela was a very wise decision because:

1. We didn't have to carry our luggage on the train as our driver agreed to drop us to Ambewela station and meet us directly at Ella railway station, along with our entire luggage so we could travel absolutely hands-free!
2. It cut short the total travel time via train by more than 3 hours!
3. The roads leading to Ambewela were absolutely scenic with lots of tea gardens, waterfalls and dairy farms to stop by!

The moment we boarded the train, we knew the effort had been worth it.

For the next three hours, the train slowly rolled through endless tea plantations, mist-covered hills, little villages and tiny railway stations that looked frozen in time.

People leaned out of the train doors with the biggest smiles on their faces.
And yes…
So did we.

There is something incredibly freeing about feeling the cool mountain breeze on your face while watching the world slowly pass by.

Those three hours gave us everything we had hoped for.

Our driver was waiting for us outside Ella Railway Station exactly as promised.

From there, he drove us to our Airbnb.
And honestly…
We couldn't believe what we had booked.

Perched on top of a small hill was a beautiful wooden cottage with a huge glass window facing one of Sri Lanka's most iconic landmarks - The Nine Arch Bridge.
Not "close to."
Not "walking distance."
We could literally see the bridge from our bed!!

Some stays become attractions in themselves. This was definitely one of them.

We rented a scooter for the next three days.
It quickly became our favourite way of exploring Ella.
No fixed plans.
No rush.

Just riding through winding mountain roads surrounded by tea estates, stopping at cafés whenever one looked interesting and soaking in the cool weather.

Ella has a completely different pace from the rest of Sri Lanka.
Nobody seems to be in a hurry.
And after just one evening there, neither were we.

The next morning gave us one of those travel moments we'll probably remember for the rest of our lives.
We woke up not to an alarm……but to the sound of a train.
Still lying in bed, we looked through the huge glass window beside us.
Slowly, the famous blue train emerged from behind the trees and crossed the Nine Arch Bridge.
Right in front of our eyes.
Without stepping outside.
Without leaving the bed.
It honestly felt surreal.

We just smiled at each other.
"This stay was worth every penny."
Soon after, our host served us a delicious homemade Sri Lankan breakfast.
Fresh fruits.
Curries.
Everything tasted simple, authentic and made with so much love.

One of our favourite parts of travelling is understanding local food beyond restaurants, and breakfasts hosted by locals always become some of our fondest memories.

With full stomachs, we headed towards another experience we had been really looking forward to.

A tea-making and tea-tasting session.

We learnt about the different varieties of tea grown across Sri Lanka, how altitude affects flavour, the careful process of picking the leaves and why Sri Lankan Ceylon Tea is considered among the finest in the world.

By the end of the session, we found ourselves smelling every cup before drinking it.

That evening, we experienced a little bit of Ella's nightlife before heading back early.

The next morning was going to begin before sunrise.

Our alarms rang long before dawn.

Still sleepy but incredibly excited, we got on our scooter and left for what turned out to be one of the highlights of our Ella stay - Little Adam's Peak.

The trail began gently, winding through lush green tea plantations where workers had already begun their day.

As the path climbed higher, the views kept getting better.

The morning air was cool.
The hills were still wrapped in mist.
And apart from the occasional chirping of birds, everything was beautifully quiet.

The trek is considered moderate and took us about an hour.

We reached the summit just as the first rays of sunlight began touching the mountains.
And what a reward it was!

Golden light slowly spilled across endless layers of green hills.

The breeze was cool enough to make us forget how breathless we had been just minutes earlier.

We sat there for almost an hour, doing absolutely nothing except taking it all in.

After climbing down, most people would've called it a day.
We decided to do another hike.

A much smaller forest trail took us behind the famous Nine Arch Bridge.

Compared to the crowds on the front side of the bridge, this trail felt wonderfully peaceful.
Walking through the forest before suddenly seeing the bridge emerge between the trees felt almost magical.

We spent a long time walking along the railway tracks, clicking photographs and simply enjoying how calm everything felt.
No rush.
No itinerary.
Just wandering.

By noon, we climbed all the way back to our cottage.
Had breakfast.
Collapsed into bed.
And slept till the evening.

One thing we've learnt over the years is that holidays don't always need to be packed from morning till night.
Sometimes the best decision is to rest.
To slow down.
To enjoy your stay instead of constantly chasing the next attraction.

That evening, we once again rode around Ella, discovered a couple of beautiful cafés tucked into the hills and ended the day exactly how Ella teaches you to - Slowly.

The mountains had given us everything we had hoped for.
Now it was time to trade cool breezes for warm ocean air.

The next morning, we left Ella and began our four-hour drive towards Pasikudah on Sri Lanka's East Coast.

While the south and west coast beaches often steal all the attention, the east coast still feels like one of the country's best-kept secrets.

For the next two nights, we had booked ourselves into Uga Bay.

And the moment its gates opened, we knew we'd made the right decision!

The infinity pool stretched endlessly towards the ocean.
Palm trees swayed gently in the wind.

Beyond them lay the pristine Pasikudah Beach.
Our room overlooked the sea.

Within minutes of checking in, the tiredness from the long drive had completely disappeared.
That evening, we walked barefoot along the beach before sitting down for dinner with the sound of waves in the background.

There are few things more therapeutic than listening to the ocean after spending days in the mountains.

The next morning began before sunrise.

One of the biggest advantages of staying right on the beach?
Your boat comes to you.
Quite literally.

We walked a few steps from our room to the shore, where our boat was already waiting.

Thirty minutes later, we reached Elephant Rock, one of the region's beautiful coral reefs.
The sea was unbelievably calm.

The early morning light made the water incredibly clear.
It couldn't have been a more perfect morning for snorkelling.

The moment we entered the water…
We forgot everything else.

Healthy coral.
Schools of colourful fish.
Crystal-clear visibility.

Every direction revealed something new.

We've snorkelled in quite a few places over the years, but this reef genuinely surprised us.
It felt untouched.
Alive.
Protected.

Hours passed before we finally climbed back into the boat, still talking excitedly about everything we had just seen underwater.

That evening gave us one of the most unforgettable memories of our lives.

We had booked something called a "Sand Dinner."

The resort had actually sculpted our entire dining setup out of sand.
Our table was carved into the beach.
The benches were made of sand.
Candles flickered around us.
Above us, thousands of stars.
Beside us, the sound of gentle waves.

A beautifully prepared multi-course dinner.
A bottle of wine.
And not another soul around.

It wasn't just dinner.
It felt like a scene from a movie.

Even today, whenever someone asks us about the most romantic dinner we've ever had, this is the first memory that comes to mind.

After two incredibly relaxing days in Pasikudah, it was time to continue our journey along Sri Lanka's beautiful East Coast.

Our next destination was Nilaveli, about two and a half hours away.

Unlike Pasikudah, which is known for its luxury resorts, Nilaveli felt quieter, simpler and even more untouched.

We checked into another beautiful beachfront Airbnb, hoping for a peaceful couple of days before heading back home.

Little did we know, Nilaveli was about to give us some of the most unforgettable moments of the entire trip.
The moment we reached our stay, we walked straight towards the beach.
And then we looked up.

A double rainbow stretched across the sky!!

It honestly felt like Sri Lanka had planned the perfect welcome for us.
The beach was almost empty.
No loud music.
No crowds.
No beach shacks lined one after another.

Just soft sand, endless blue water and hardly another soul in sight.

For a while, it genuinely felt like we had our own private beach.

After settling in, we found a tiny café nearby, enjoyed a delicious dinner and walked back listening to nothing but the waves.

The next morning started early.
Very early.
Because we were finally going to see dolphins in the wild.

Our boat arrived right in front of our stay, just like it had in Pasikudah, and we slowly sailed out into the open sea.

The further we went, the calmer everything became.
The sea looked endless.
The sunrise painted the horizon in soft shades of orange and pink.

Every few minutes, all of us on the boat would scan the water, hoping to spot something.
And then...
Our boatmen shouted.
"There!"

Within seconds, dolphins started appearing all around us.
Not one.
Not two.
Entire pods!!

They raced alongside our boat, leapt out of the water, disappeared beneath the waves and resurfaced a few metres away as if they were putting on a show.

It was our very first time seeing dolphins in their natural habitat.
No enclosure.
No performance.
Just wild, playful animals doing exactly what they were born to do.

We couldn't stop smiling.
There was something incredibly joyful about watching them.

By afternoon, we walked back to the beach with our books.
Swam in the warm ocean.
Read for a while.

Then went back into the water.

As the evening arrived, the sky slowly turned golden before melting into one of the prettiest sunsets we'd seen on the trip.

We ended the day with another lovely dinner nearby, already excited for the next morning.

Because the adventure we had been waiting for the most was finally here.

The following morning began with another beautiful sunrise over Nilaveli Beach.

Today wasn't just another snorkeling trip.
Today, we were going to Pigeon Island National Park.
And if everything went well...

We were finally going to swim alongside sea turtles and reef sharks!!

Needless to say, we were equal parts excited and nervous.

After collecting our snorkeling gear and a quick safety briefing, our boat left for Pigeon Island.

The island lies just about twenty minutes from the mainland and is surrounded by one of Sri Lanka's richest coral reef ecosystems.

The sea was rougher than it had been in Pasikudah.
The waves kept rocking the boat.

Visibility wasn't perfect.

For a brief moment, we wondered if we'd even get to see anything.
But the moment we entered the water...
Every doubt disappeared.

Within minutes, we spotted our first turtle.

Completely unbothered by our presence, it glided gracefully through the water as if we weren't even there.
Soon after, another one appeared.
And then a third.

Watching them swim so effortlessly was almost hypnotic.
T
hen came the moment we'd secretly been waiting for.
A reef shark.
Then another.. Then another.

All of them were much larger than we had imagined, calmly cruising in the distance.
It wasn't scary.
It was simply breathtaking.

Nature has a way of making you feel very small, and very grateful, at the same time.

That hour in the water will stay with us forever!

After dinner, none of us felt like going back inside.
So we walked to the beach one last time.

The sky was unbelievably clear.
Thousands upon thousands of stars stretched across the night.

With absolutely no light pollution and pitch dark environment, the constellations seemed close enough to touch.

We sat there for a long time.
Talking.
Laughing.
Occasionally falling silent just to admire the sky above us.

Some memories are impossible to capture in photographs.
This was one of them.
And honestly…
We don't think we'd want it any other way.

The next morning arrived far sooner than we wanted.
Our final sunrise in Nilaveli.

There was something bittersweet about watching it.

The excitement of the journey had slowly been replaced by the realization that it was almost over.

We packed our bags, took one last walk along the beach and left for Colombo.

It was going to be a long drive.
Nearly seven hours.

Road trips across Sri Lanka never really feel long because there's always something worth stopping for.

Near Sigiriya, we visited a spice garden where we learnt more about Sri Lanka's famous cinnamon, pepper, cardamom and medicinal herbs.

Naturally, we couldn't resist bringing home a few spices and essential oils.

Later on the drive, our driver suddenly slowed down.
A magnificent wild elephant was standing near the edge of a national park!!

By afternoon, we reached Colombo and checked into ITC Ratnadipa.

After spending days surrounded by forests, mountains and quiet beaches, returning to the city felt strangely unfamiliar.

We rested for a while before getting ready for one final date night.

A cosy sushi dinner.
Talking about our favourite moments.
Trying to decide which day had been the best, which we never could!

Every destination has given us something completely different.

And maybe that's exactly what made this journey so special.

The next morning, we packed our bags one last time and headed towards the airport.

As our flight took off, I kept looking down at the island growing smaller beneath the clouds.

A completely new perspective of the country.

If you've made it this far, thank you for travelling across Sri Lanka with us.

If this beautiful little island has been on your bucket list, let this be your sign to finally go.
Trust us.
You'll come back with far more than just photographs!

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