Day 19 – Panama to Arugam Bay
Today we left the comfort of the Lagoon Cabanas in Panama to travel the short distance to Arugam Bay by three wheeler (tuk tuk). Turned out it was the same driver who took us to Kumana National Park yesterday. The short ride was surprisingly expensive!
Once at our new accommodation we were able to check in straight away in the morning which was cool. The staff member wasn’t really welcoming at all which is normal in Lanka. The accommodation was called Surf & Sand Hotel. The place was nice and clean however the AC was just for show, not actually cooling the room much. But the room was large, and reading reviews online they mention that there is no hot water. There is actually a hot water switch on the wall, which is typical in Sri Lankan homes, but the hosts don’t actually explain this at all.
After settling down, we walked down the main street towards the beach and it was like we transported overseas. The entire beach was full of tourists. It was crazy as we felt like tourists (yes we are, but we normally blend in) in this town. It was like the next level of Ella town.
The result of this is inflated prices and poor service from the restaurants since they seem to do some reverse racism on their own race which is weird. The majority of the locals have grown their hair and covered in tattoos. This is definitely a surfers paradise. The surf is so famous that it used to have a Red Bull tournament on it.
The beach was immaculate even though I felt very self conscious and very one had amazing beach bods!!! I am definitely not in the category. Time to do some push ups…or just eat some fish and chips. I prefer option 2 =DÂ
The beach has a few places that are safe to swin, but otherwise its all about the surf.