my travelogue: Right handers, Lions and Rotis!

After going to Indonesia for the last five years it was time for me to check out a new surf spot and skip my beloved summer vacation spot Bali for this time. There is only a few places with a consistent swell around this time of the year and most of them are located around the Indian Ocean, so is Sri Lanka former Ceylon. Friends of mine had been there before and they only had positive things to say about it so it was an easy decision. Though it was everything else but a an easy travel to get to the place. Due to a mix of traffic hold ups, long lay overs and a long ass taxi drive across the country it only took me 36 hours till I arrived at the hotel I was staying at in Arugam-Bay which is on the eastern part of the island. Until 2009 there was a civil war at this part of the country so it isn't as developed as the western side and there is not much tourism going on here, yet. Most of the people are very poor, not only because of the war but as well because of a Tsunami which swiped over Sri Lanka in 2004. The few hotels and restaurants there is are pretty basic so there is really not much going on here. You can of course do safaris and trips to temples but I didn't do it..haha. All I had to think about in all these 17 days was where to surf and what to eat, pretty awesome! The level of surfing compared to Bali is low. The waves are all the same: Only right points on sand, pretty slow, small but super long and clean for most of the time. The perfect place for beginners I'd say. Another good thing is that the difference with the tides is minimal so you don't have to study tide charts and you can surf all day. Wherever I went the people was always super friendly and helpful. Although you see military everywhere I never felt like I had to worry about a thing. The only complain I'd have would be that I didn't get to sleep much cause it was so f.... hot all night, 30°C at least and very humid. Next time I go there I'm for sure getting a room with AC!

The crew I was with was super mellow and very chill to hang out with!

Longtime exposure

"Baby Point" was the most crowded spot but it was right in front of our hotel.

Biking is a big deal in Sri Lanka!

TUK TUK taxi's are the even bigger deal. That's how most of the people make their money by the way. You wouldn't believe what kind of roads these vehicles can handle with ease.

Grocery store

Monkeys obviously don't like Austrians. Such a mean little guy!

The chicks rock either this style or burkas.

It looks like Star Wars was filmed here.

Doesn't it?

random

The locals said that is crocodiles everywhere in this lake but I didn't see them.

Bene got himself weapons, just in case. You never know..

We hung out a lot at this place.

Pottuvil Point

Bene

Ninja, Karo and Peter

Nice hair steez!

Bene and Toril checking out the elephants and cows.

There is a lot of them around.

yammy!

Whiskey Point, such a remote place.

Peter and Karo

Bene

Toril and myself

Maxi

(Thanks for the surf pics NINJA! I owe you some 10ers..)

Peter want's to get tubed..

I definitely improved on my surfing on this trip.

Maxi got some nice waves that day

My favorite spot!

Paul, my room mate liked it too.

Army was omnipresent at all times. At the beginning it made me feel weird seeing these guys everywhere but you get used to it.

Ritchy was as well everywhere and most of the time on our beds. She is probably the most annoying dog EVER!!

Salman was our man at the hotel. He would do anything and get you everything you wanted. He is a good cook too!

Our hang out spot.

So there are two different kinds of beer. Normal 4,8%, Strong 8,8% and only 0,7 liter bottles!

Talking about beer.. It was Toril's birthday so Bene organized a BBQ for her that day. The guys from the hotel were so stoked so they just made it a official party and the only beer we had that night was STRONG!