Unawatuna: Sri Lanka with a toddler
After a fun couple of days in Colombo we headed down to our next stop, Unawatuna, a little town near to Galle. This time we stayed half board in a hotel.
We took a coach from Colombo down to Galle. This is a really cheap way to get down there, it cost us 1000 rupees (about £5) for the trip. If we had taken a taxi it probably would have cost around £50. The coach was air conditioned and our seats had plenty of space, I would totally recommend to travel this way.
We arrived at our hotel, I’ll be honest, my first impressions were a little “meh”. It all seemed rather dated, especially our little chalet. It was a lovely room but I will never understand why places keep dated pictures on the wall or use frilly mosquito nets round a 4 poster bed….not my thing at all!
However, the room was really clean, the bed was comfy and the bathroom was actually very nice which is always a way to win me over!!
Arthur had a lovely cot, again like Colombo, not just an old travel cot!!
It didn’t really take us long to come round to our new place. The staff there were so nice!
Arthur loved the swimming pool and the fish tanks, and the food was amazing.
A rather unfortunate thing happened to us while we were there though. While we were out one day, Mark had gone for a dive and so had taken his wedding ring off (it’s wooden so not good to wear in the water), we came back to the room and it had been stolen. The manager initially told us that it was sure it had just been lost but he would refund is the cost of the ring if it didn’t turn up. He later came to us, very apologetic and said that he had spoken to the cleaners and that he was certain it had been stolen. He had sacked the two on the spot. Apparently they were new staff. I almost didn’t write about this in this blog post because overall our memories of the place are positive ones but I’ve decided to include it but not write the name of the hotel. If the manager had not been so helpful clearly the reviews I would be giving would certainly name and shame! We are now in the process of ordering a new ring so hopefully it will all be forgotten by then!
While we were in Unawatuna we got up to loads of fun stuff.
Mark and I both went diving (separately obviously so someone was with Arthur) on shipwrecks. We have never done a ship wreck dive before and It was amazing!! I even had to face my ridiculous but very real jellyfish phobia as I had to descend and then ascend through a swam. I got stung but I was brave…I know that sounds pathetic, but honestly I’m very proud of myself!!!
I got to go to a really lovely spa, called Sanctuary Spa I’d really recommend it!
We did a walk over to Jungle Beach (twice actually) once just to have a look and visit the gorgeous peace pagoda.
We also had our first look at wild monkeys
The second time we went for a little swim and play on the beach!
We also took a couple trips to Galle fort, we loved it there a really lovely place to walk around. This first picture I really like as you can see a Church, a Mosque and a Buddhist temple all within walking distance of each other!
Walking round Unawatuna itself is also really lovely. The village has a really hippy vibe, very chilled out and very friendly.
So despite having Mark’s wedding ring stolen we still have wonderful memories of Unawatuna and would definitely go back!!
Again, the moby wrap was definitely the way to transport Arthur around. We found the push chair totally useless there although we did see a couple people using them I wouldn’t recommend it!
Next stop on our Sri Lanka Trip was Kandy for Christmas and Mark’s 30th birthday!
Sounds lovely. We’ve done the dive separately thing many times! We’re now looking forward to the day when the girls learn to dive and we all go as a family together. ..well done on braving the jellyfish. They’re not my favourite either, I call them the cockroaches of the sea!
Clara Wiggins recently posted…Visiting all those places you’ve never quite got round to…
What an amazing trip hon, I’m desperate to visit Sri Lanka! Shame about Mark’s ring but hopefully it didn’t put too much of a dampner on things. Lovely photos xxx
Reneé @ Mummy Tries recently posted…A Gorgeous Trip to the V&A Museum
It looks amazing. I’m so glad you had a great time (and hope Mark’s new ring arrives quickly). I wish I enjoyed water sports, because I think the experience would be brilliant, but I have a slight tiny fear of water – not that a wee phobia would stop you – well done!
Mel @mydaysni recently posted…Roasted Vegetable and Tuna Pasta Recipe
How annoying about the wedding ring!! Gorgeous pictures, it’s so lovely seeing it all and I keep thinking – what wonderful memories for all of you. Just lovely xx
Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…Wicked Wednesdays #24 | Play-Doh Uh Oh
Gorgeous pictures and I’m juts off to check out that wrap now! x
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Laura Evelyn Bee recently posted…It’s all about that blood
You’ve taken some fab photos Chantelle! What an interesting destination and well done you with the jellyfish – I would have been terrified but I would have had to get over my fear of drowning or suffocating first!! XX #sharewithme
Sam recently posted…Little things for 2015
Absolutely stunning photographs of your family adventure in Sri Lanka! It’s so exotic and unique, and such a wonderful experience for your children to now have. Sorry to hear about Mark’s ring–hoping the replacement comes swiftly!
Maria recently posted…How We Play in the Winter (4 Winter Activities to Try with a One Year Old)
It looks like such a wonderful place to visit but such a shame about your ring x
What a beautiful place, but too bad about the hotel incident. It’s a good thing the manager was proactive and sorted it all out. I’d love to visit Sri Lanka some day!
Tarana Khan recently posted…Fun day at Chuck E. Cheese’s, Dubai Outlet Mall
WOW what another amazing trip addition. I love reading about your travels. You guys definitely made the most of it. Beautiful. Love all your photos too. Very creative in your captures. I can’t believe he got his wedding ring stolen boo! 🙁 But glad you stayed optimistic about your trip. Look forward to reading about xmas and birthday celebrations next. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. Sorry if you had any trouble commenting on my site today as the host is being transferred there are a few glitches to fix. Apologies. #sharewithme
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Sorry about Mark’s ring, but apart from that, it looks like you had a wonderful time. Very impressed with you swimming through a swarm of jellyfish despite your phobia! Love your photos, especially the fruit stall one and Arthur with the coloured kayaks.x
Jess Paterson recently posted…The Ingenuity of Children: #WickedWednesday 2
Fabulous account and photos lovely, though how horrible Mark’s ring was stolen! Good for you for not letting it ruin your stay.
I have to say I can’t quite believe you managed to swim through the jellyfish – I am TERRIFIED of them and I think you were very brave indeed. Just reading that bit gave me the heebiejeebies….
Looking forward to reading about the next installment of your trip. Xx
Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork recently posted…The Anti-Resolutions (and a sort of vague pre-move preparation plan)
Amazing place! Love the colors and my fave are the fruit photos cuz again it reminded me of home! Lovely trip inspite of the setback. #sharewithme
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This sounds amazing! I’ve been scuba diving before and would LOVE to do a shipwreck! Shame about the wedding ring (though I’d have loved to have seen a wooden ring) and I hope the replacement turns up soon x x x
ghostwritermummy recently posted…An IUGR baby: reflux, tongue tie and a cow’s milk protein allergy
Thank you, I have a pic on my instagram somewhere his wooden one was actually a replacement for his original one he lost in the ocean here haha…if another goes walk about I’m getting it tattoed on him haha!
You should definitely try a ship wreck dive if you ever get the chance!! X
Oh, that’s not nice having the ring stolen, but thankfully the manager was so helpful. I’m glad it didn’t ruin your time there. It looks just like the sort of place I would love. That whole relaxed vibe and beautiful beach and forts. I bet the shipwreck dives were fab. I’ve never done one – but have wanted to for ages! xx
My Travel Monkey recently posted…A Chilly Visit To National Trust’s Ightham Mote
Wow what an amazing trip- it looks like heaven and how lucky is Arthur to have experienced all these places at such a young age- he will have so many amazing memories to look back on when he is older, especially through these photos. x
Katie @mummydaddyme recently posted…My Sisters in January 2015…
He is definitely so lucky I am so happy we got to take him!! Same for your girls on your fab trip too!!! Thanks for stopping by lovely xx