A month's break. We needed at least that before starting the season which promises to be full of surprises! We embarked for Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, with turquoise waters at 28 degrees, wild fauna and verdant flora. We knew from Damien's first trip in 2011, before the children were born, that Sri Lanka would be an easy, exotic, tropical and family destination. He largely kept his promises.
The first stop is at Hiriketiya, nicknamed Blue Beach by the locals. This bay, protected from the winds and strong swells, is a little paradise. Right in the middle of the bay, a few waves roll out for beginners, and further down, a nice left on a nice reef allows us to fully validate the new version of our Petit Cochon 9'6 longboard specially brought from France. It didn't take us long to acclimate to the atmosphere, to the sessions in front of our guest house.
We also meet Gaya and his wife Emma who had ordered 3 boards from us for their future guest house in Kabalana. Board under arm, Damien and the couple set off to take advantage of the lovely conditions to test their new toys: a 7' Flat Track , a 5'10 Bonito and a 9' Dance Floor longboard tinted turquoise blue for the lady.
For their part, they introduce us to their brand of shirts, Gitano Shirts with colorful prints. A real favorite that we will bring you back to the store in the spring. After several days getting into the rhythm of the vacation, we set off to explore the coast around Matara. We find a Frenchman living in SK Town, in his new Guest house, Les Clés du Paradis . In front of the black sand beach break, the boys have a blast surfing endless waves, in board shorts, with no one in the water. What more? During this month in Sri Lanka, we also wanted to explore the interior of the island, the tea region, the mountains, and do some hikes. Bus 31, Matara station, off for a 5-hour bus ride towards Ella. There, we discover a welcoming village of backpackers. The boys are excited to climb the hundreds of steps, running to discover the next view. Little Adam's Peak, Ravana's Cave, swimming at the foot of the Ravana Falls waterfall.
You can't go to Sri Lanka without venturing on the train . An experience to remember. We head towards Kandy. The installation is Spartan, but the cruising speed (maximum of 60kms) allows us to appreciate the grandiose landscapes, tea plantations, crossing colorful villages, feeling the wind in our hair with our heads out the window . A few hours (allow 7 hours to cover a few hundred kilometers) that we don't see pass. After the peaceful village of Ella, we land in the bustling Kandy, and then Colombo. To understand a country, the best place, in our opinion, is to go and discover the local market, get lost in the middle of the fruit and vegetable stalls, talk to the butcher or the fishmonger. Tastes and flavors, but also smells not always appreciated by children :) After more than a week wandering in the Sri Lankan mountains , we want to find the ocean, surfing, snorkelling, coconuts and relaxation. We arrive at Asanka's house, in Midigama . For the story, Damien landed at Asanka 7 years ago. There were only a few rooms then, facing Lazy Left. Now, there are more than 20 rooms, but the charm and welcome have not changed. We were able to put our bags down and enjoy the rest of the stay.
During these holidays, we spent more than half the day in the water, saw fish of all colors, surfed until our lips were chapped, saw Noa slide on her first waves, Téo take total autonomy in the water, laugh, enjoy, see our children grow through encounters, diverse and varied discoveries.
It will not have been easy to make a succinct selection, such was the magic of this trip. Thank you Sri Lanka for your welcome. Hoping to see you again one day... We will have had some good sessions, between Hiriketiya, Rams, Kabalana, Weligama ... Easy conditions, for all levels. To recommend. So, yes, we loved the water at 28 degrees, life in swimsuits, the spicy rice and curry, the tuk-tuk rides, the wild animals,... But above all we loved the people. Always smiling, ultra welcoming, we discovered an open, patient, warm nation, loving children (who have difficulty returning to France and do not understand why all their desires are no longer fulfilled...). Here are some portraits of encounters made during our journey.
We hope to have taken you on a journey and made you want to discover Sri Lanka.
Now, back to reality, and preparation for the new spring-summer 2018 collection , the opening of the store at the end of March in the town center of Hossegor and the season with the Chipiron surf school at Culs Nus.
The first stop is at Hiriketiya, nicknamed Blue Beach by the locals. This bay, protected from the winds and strong swells, is a little paradise. Right in the middle of the bay, a few waves roll out for beginners, and further down, a nice left on a nice reef allows us to fully validate the new version of our Petit Cochon 9'6 longboard specially brought from France. It didn't take us long to acclimate to the atmosphere, to the sessions in front of our guest house.We also meet Gaya and his wife Emma who had ordered 3 boards from us for their future guest house in Kabalana. Board under arm, Damien and the couple set off to take advantage of the lovely conditions to test their new toys: a 7' Flat Track , a 5'10 Bonito and a 9' Dance Floor longboard tinted turquoise blue for the lady.
For their part, they introduce us to their brand of shirts, Gitano Shirts with colorful prints. A real favorite that we will bring you back to the store in the spring. After several days getting into the rhythm of the vacation, we set off to explore the coast around Matara. We find a Frenchman living in SK Town, in his new Guest house, Les Clés du Paradis . In front of the black sand beach break, the boys have a blast surfing endless waves, in board shorts, with no one in the water. What more? During this month in Sri Lanka, we also wanted to explore the interior of the island, the tea region, the mountains, and do some hikes. Bus 31, Matara station, off for a 5-hour bus ride towards Ella. There, we discover a welcoming village of backpackers. The boys are excited to climb the hundreds of steps, running to discover the next view. Little Adam's Peak, Ravana's Cave, swimming at the foot of the Ravana Falls waterfall.
You can't go to Sri Lanka without venturing on the train . An experience to remember. We head towards Kandy. The installation is Spartan, but the cruising speed (maximum of 60kms) allows us to appreciate the grandiose landscapes, tea plantations, crossing colorful villages, feeling the wind in our hair with our heads out the window . A few hours (allow 7 hours to cover a few hundred kilometers) that we don't see pass. After the peaceful village of Ella, we land in the bustling Kandy, and then Colombo. To understand a country, the best place, in our opinion, is to go and discover the local market, get lost in the middle of the fruit and vegetable stalls, talk to the butcher or the fishmonger. Tastes and flavors, but also smells not always appreciated by children :) After more than a week wandering in the Sri Lankan mountains , we want to find the ocean, surfing, snorkelling, coconuts and relaxation. We arrive at Asanka's house, in Midigama . For the story, Damien landed at Asanka 7 years ago. There were only a few rooms then, facing Lazy Left. Now, there are more than 20 rooms, but the charm and welcome have not changed. We were able to put our bags down and enjoy the rest of the stay.
During these holidays, we spent more than half the day in the water, saw fish of all colors, surfed until our lips were chapped, saw Noa slide on her first waves, Téo take total autonomy in the water, laugh, enjoy, see our children grow through encounters, diverse and varied discoveries.
It will not have been easy to make a succinct selection, such was the magic of this trip. Thank you Sri Lanka for your welcome. Hoping to see you again one day... We will have had some good sessions, between Hiriketiya, Rams, Kabalana, Weligama ... Easy conditions, for all levels. To recommend. So, yes, we loved the water at 28 degrees, life in swimsuits, the spicy rice and curry, the tuk-tuk rides, the wild animals,... But above all we loved the people. Always smiling, ultra welcoming, we discovered an open, patient, warm nation, loving children (who have difficulty returning to France and do not understand why all their desires are no longer fulfilled...). Here are some portraits of encounters made during our journey.
We hope to have taken you on a journey and made you want to discover Sri Lanka.
Now, back to reality, and preparation for the new spring-summer 2018 collection , the opening of the store at the end of March in the town center of Hossegor and the season with the Chipiron surf school at Culs Nus.