Kandy

Kandy is probably the most overrated city in Sri Lanka.  Not that I’ve been to all of Sri Lanka’s larger cities yet–there’s still Trincomalee to explore and I suppose Hambantota.  But people always talk about Kandy.  To be honest, there’s really not much to see in Kandy.  Of course, there is the Temple of the Tooth, which is the most famous Buddhist Temple in Sri Lanka, and it is quite a nice temple.  And Kandy may have a bit more colonial flavor than say Colombo, but I would argue not as much as Nuwara Eliya.  That’s about all there is.  I’ve heard the botanical gardens are nice, as well as the University of Peradeniya, but I suppose I’ll leave those explorations for a future trip.

The Temple of the Tooth

Buddhist Flags with the Bodhi Tree in the background

When you do go to Kandy, I would highly recommend staying outside of the city.  Kandy is surprisingly congested and most of the hotels are mediocre, at best.  My recommendation for hotels in Kandy (or thereabouts): Bougan Villa.   My friend and I found Bougan Villa thanks to Rohan, my excellent driver, and I would admit that we were both somewhat skeptical before our arrival.  But when we pulled up the drive, we couldn’t have been happier.  Bougan Villa is a lovely respite from hours of driving on Sri Lanka’s crazy roads and your hosts, Shirlene and Jim, make you immediately feel at home .  The rooms are immaculate, the grounds lovely, and the food is amazing, whether it be Jim’s New Zealand egg breakfast, Shirlene’s Sri Lankan curry lunch, or their chef’s Western dinner–it was Italian cuisine for us.

Bougan Villa

Papya for Breakfast…mmm.

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