By Dung Huynh 
So last summer I thought, hey let’s visit Sri Lanka! Everyone talks about those pretty beaches and ancient temples, right? Booked flights quick without even thinking about seasons. Big mistake.
Getting Drenched the Second I Landed
Stepped off the plane into Colombo and bam – hot wet air slapped me like a towel. Sky looked like grey concrete. Thought, “No worries, little shower.” Ha! Joke was on me. Dropped bags at the guesthouse near Galle Face Green. Went for a quick walk. Ten minutes later? Sky turned purple, wind howled like crazy dogs, rain came down sideways. Umbrella? Useless. Turned inside-out in seconds. Ran back, soaked to my underwear, squelching through streets knee-deep in rainwater. Saw a floating sandal. Not mine, thankfully.
The “Island Paradise” Tour Disaster
Had plans, right? Big list:
- South Coast beaches: Wanted Mirissa for whale watching. Captain just shook his head. “Sea angry, madam. Boat flip-flop.” Waves like houses crashing on shore. Red flags everywhere.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress: Dream shot. Hiked up slippery metal stairs in pouring rain, clinging to rails like my life depended on it. Reached the top? Pure white fog. Saw nothing. Like standing in a cloud with wet socks. Ruined my phone trying to take photos.
- Tea Plantations in Ella: Imagined misty green hills. Got muddy landslides instead. Road blocked near Ramboda Falls. Driver mumbled about needing 4×4 and maybe a boat. Straight up cancelled that part of the trip. Found leeches in my shoes later. Eww.
Real Talk With Locals (And Bug Warfare)
Got stuck inside a small Kandy cafe during another downpour. Talked to Ajith, the owner. Laughed when I said “monsoon holiday.” Poured me extra spicy curry “for warmth.” He told me straight: “Why you come now? Best time finished.” Explained May-Sept brings the big rains to southwest. Roads flood, boats stop, leeches party. Mentioned bugs? Oh boy. Nights were mosquito city. Slept under the net like a hostage, sweating in humid jail. Heard constant buzzing. Walls crawled with geckos eating them. Kinda cool, but creepy.
Throwing in the Wet Towel
One week in, couldn’t stand it anymore. Constant damp clothes smelled like old socks. My “waterproof” jacket betrayed me. Feet were permanently pruney. Decided NOPE. Called airline, paid stupid money to change flight. Escape plan activated.
Left feeling dumb but wiser. Monsoon season in Sri Lanka? Yeah, it tops my “never again” list. Unless you dream of swimming through streets, battling bugs, and starring in your own canceled adventure show – avoid it like flooded roads. Lesson learned hard way: Check the dang weather calendar!
yadanarbon 