Christmas in Sri Lanka!
You may have seen this on my instagram and I’ve been excited to write about it…
We will be spending Christmas in Sri Lanka!!
This is something I’m not sure we would have ever done if we were not an expat family. First of all the cost would be a lot more to go from the UK then it is from Seychelles. It isn’t just that though, we have a a relaxed attitude towards different ways of living that I don’t think we would necessarily have if we were still living in the UK. I feel like we are a lot more adaptable then we were before, I’m not sure I would have dreamed about traveling around a ‘non western’ country on holiday with a 1 year old but now it’s something to be excited about.
There’s a little bit of a back story with Sri Lanka for us…..
Before we moved to the Seychelles, we watched a cooking show called My Sri Lanka. We were so excited as we thought the food would be similar to how the food would be here (and it is and isn’t all in one go but that’s another story!). Anyway, while watching the show we got an idea of how beautiful the country is and it definitely made us want to go there one day.
Fast forward to around 6 months ago and we hear that they are starting flights from Seychelles to Sri Lanka! Of course, we didn’t think that we would be able to go because of Arthur being so young!
Our neighbours went this summer and said that not only was it amazing, they saw people on holiday with kids there! We started reading a few sites such as Globetotting and Jetlag and Mayhem and got to read about and speak to a few different people who have been there with kids.
Knowing this, Arthur being so adaptable when we went to the UK this summer, and it being Mark’s 30th birthday we decided we were going to do it!!!
Flights are now booked and we’ve been busy planning our trip. We are there for 18 days.
Our plans at the moment look a little bit like this:
The first few days we will be spending in the capital of Colombo. Next we will move down to the south coast to a little hotel near Galle. From there we have to go back to Colombo and take a very scenic train ride to Kandy where we will be for Christmas and for Mark’s 30th birthday.
We are treating ourselves to a rather beautiful little hotel in Kandy for this time. We are so excited about this place and Kandy in general looks so amazing!
As of yet we are unplanned for the last couple of days so we still have some planning to do!
I’ve put a little Sri Lanka Pintrest board together where I’m pinning some lovely pictures of the places we will be going to if you fancy a little look.
Being a bit of a melting pot between Buddhism and Hinduism it won’t be particularly Christmas-y, so in a way this is a perfect time to go while Arthur is still a bit young to really get what Christmas is all about! We have never been to Asia, (apart from Dubai airport on the way to the UK but i’m not sure that counts!!) and we are so excited to take in the culture, which will be so different to anything we’ve seen before.
I also feel so privileged to be able to introduce Arthur to all these different experiences and cultures, okay so he probably won’t remember them, but it will be really cool to show him the pictures when he’s older, and I’m sure that it can only positively impact him!
Ooooh how exciting, i’m not jealous at all. Much. I’ve heard great things about Sri Lanka, i’m sure you’ll all have a very special Christmas and a wonderful time for Mark’s 30th Birthday! Can’t wait to hear all about it in the new year xxx #sharewithme
Oh wow sounds really exciting, my cousin went last year on her honeymoon and really loved it. She said the food is fantastic as is the weather! Hope its a fabulously exotic xmas 🙂
To Infinity and IVF recently posted…CardNest – A review of some beautiful cards
Wow, wow, WOW, this is amazing, I am seriously envious! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip. I have been to Sri Lanka although it doesn’t really count as we spent 4 hours waiting for a connecting flight to Thailand in Columbo airport and getting extremely drunk (this was with friends pre-children!). I can’t wait to travel to further flung places with the children in a few years time. In the meantime I will live vicariously through you! #sharewithme xx
Becky | Spirited Puddle Jumper recently posted…3 Halloween Cupcake Ideas
Chantelle, I am so excited and jealous for you all at the same time. I am super excited to see how it goes. As you know, I am a huge believer in taking children of all ages travelling as it’s good for all of you! I’ve never been to Sri Lanka, but from all accounts it’s a beautiful, wonderful place. Will you get to see tea plantations? xx
We will definitely visit the tea plantations and of course do some sampling too 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment I’m so excited and totally agree about traveling with kids!! Xx
This sounds so incredibly exciting! What a wonderful idea, cannot wait to see all the pics and live vicariously through you xx
Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…The Winter Summer Divide
This sounds so amazing Chantelle! I’m in awe of anyone who travels with small children but you are definitely in the right place and it’s definitely the right time. I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas. X
Sam recently posted…Flat pack!
Oh, wow! That is going to be so amazing, can’t wait to hear all about it 🙂 You are so right that moving overseas changes your attitude towards travelling in a wider sense, things that would have phased me before, juts don’t now 🙂
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Alphabet Photography Project: V is for… Volcano
Wow, sounds like you are going to have an amazing trip! I will be very jealous so look forward to reading all about it lovely! Xx #sharewithme
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) recently posted…Looking forward to being me again
What a trip-it sounds amazing. Your blog posts are going to be fascinating during this trip I’m sure 🙂
Iona@redpeffer recently posted…The importance of bedtime routines
O-to the- M- to the- G mama!!! What an AMAZING way to spend xmas! I think its marvellous that you’re experiencing the world & really putting yourselves out there to absorb other cultures, with a tot in tow! & even though mr. A may be too young to recall all these memories you’re making, you guys will never forget all the fun from your adventures! 🙂 xx
Katrina recently posted…Canterbury Tales: A Barn Wedding……
Thanks lovely lady 🙂 it will definitely be a big adventure and perhaps we are a little bit crazy but I think it will be fun 🙂 xx
Wow – what an amazing experience coming up. No wonder you’re so excited. My in-laws are going to Morocco for Christmas this year and they’re very excited too. Cannot wait to read your blog posts upon your return. #sharewithme
Lucas says – As long as you make sure Father Christmas knows where Arthur is for Christmas. He’s a bit busy around that time of year so it wouldn’t hurt to send him a letter confirming your exact location……… Have an AWESOME holiday 🙂 #sharewithme
kidGLloves recently posted…Mini Creations Wednesday 8th October 2014
That sounds amazing! I’m sure you’ll have an incredible time. I’ll take a look at your Pinterest board. Can’t wait to read about your experiences and see your pics. Thanks for doing the blog link up. I’ve added mine. #myexpatfamily
OMG I am too jealous to even write a proper comment! You lucky lucky things! Good for you 🙂 xxx #brilliantblogposts
Mummy Tries recently posted…The Mistakes We Make #ThePrompt
Haha I love this! I would still count this as a proper comment 🙂 thank you so much xx
Have a wonderful time – what a trip! Your little boy will love it – he might not remember as such but he will learn so much from travelling. We have had expat Christmas holidays in Lebanon and Cambodia in the last few years – different to staying home for a ‘traditional’ celebration but every bit as fun. Have a really exciting time.
Ersatz Expat recently posted…Newborn Customs….
Wow! You are going to have such an amazing Christmas! Can’t wait to read all about it x x x
ghostwritermummy recently posted…Return of The Bump: 34 weeks and a quiet week
Ahhh that sounds absolutely amazing. Good for you. I always travel with my kids no matter what age. The sooner than I think they get used to it. How exciting! Thanks for linking up to Share With Me I look forward to reading your post about all your adventures in Sri Lanka. #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair Review & Giveaway
That sounds fab! I like the fact the trip was inspired by a cooking show. You guys are my sort of people. I am determined to go to Botswana someday, and that is all because of a novel Hubby bought me when we met 11 years ago! x
Have a nice trip! I really wanted to go somewhere too as its getting cold here now! Have fun and I am sure that you will =) #brillblogposts
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…I am A Bad Mother
Fab!!! Good for you for not being afraid to take the kiddo. Though he may not remember it, he’ll have a wonderful time anyway and you’ll have great stories to tell him later. My parents-in-law took their boys travelling round Peru and Bolivia when they were little, and even today the stories are amazing! You definitely have to seize these opportunities while you can (so here’s me hoping we will get to visit Sicily before we leave Italy!) x
Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork recently posted…Perks in Monza Park
Wow that will be incredible! I love how travel gives you so much more confidence. I’m looking forward to travelling with our brood around Australia and taking then back to some of our favourite South Pacific islands, and around New Zealand…I think I may need to win the lottery to afford it all though! I’m looking forward to seeing your blog about your trip. xx
TalesofaTwinMum recently posted…Can children adapt to change? #MyExpatFamily linky
How exciting! I’ve never been abroad and I turn 30 in 3 months – I have to do something about that! Hope you have a fab time! #sharewithme
Jo Smith! (@carsonsmummy) recently posted…Memories – They’re not like they used to be!
Oh wow, I wanna come! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x