Seems like you already made your mind up before you started this topic you just wanted to hear it from the internet....But anyway let's dispel some of the half truths and myths about Sri Lanka and in particular Kalpitiyaathen wrote: ↑Thu Feb 01, 2018 4:43 pmThanks Mago,
this is exactly what I have heard from many ppl.
Awful place, gusty wind, dirty everywhere (however if I look at all photos in internet I cannot find a decent one, all colors of the sea, the lagoon and the land are like shit, awful awful)
I have in mind the reason why many people go there and say that's a great kite place, but to avoid unpleasant polemics here, I prefer to keep my thoughts private (you know what I mean)
Let's start with this: as others have said there's no border between India and Sri Lanka, it's an island... ie no land borders with anyone. On a related note Indians are NOT Sri Lankans....sure there are similarities but they're different countries, it's like saying Germany and France are the same... Sri Lankans are super kind, friendly people and very good with kids. There's definitely issues especially with foreign girls and it's by no means perfect, but the vast majority of people there are great.
Infections are part of the game, it's the tropics, any injury has a chance of getting infected because of the heat, humidity and dirt. Suck it up, clean your wounds well and if the doctor gives you drugs take them!
Sri Lanka can be dirty since it's a poor country, but have you actually been to Brazil? I found Brazil was just as dirty as Sri Lanka. Also if you stay in one of the big resorts (see www.kitesurfinglanka.com ) they're kept to a high standard and are used to catering to a European market, read the reviews on tripadvisor I think they speak for themselves.
As for the wind, yes the Kalpitiya lagoon is gusty in the summer, that's why all the bigger camps offer trips to Puttalam lagoon, Kappalady lagoon, Donkey point and Vella island. There isn't just one spot, and too many people come kite in the main lagoon a few days and then write the whole country off. Vella island is a world class flat water spot, anyone who's been there can attest to that, and considering how consistent the wind is in the whole year you'd be stupid to write off Sri Lanka. As Moret said above, Mannar is insane, just wow really, mind blowingly good flat water conditions and pumping wind!
One other nice thing about Sri Lanka compared to Brazil is if you want to go travel and see a bunch of different spots you can do that easily, it's not like in Brazil where everything is a plane ride or a 27 hour coach away! Go see the elephants, the temples, the mountains, go surf, go kite, it's all doable in a week or two
So to summarise, no I don't think it's a new Brazil, but there are amazing spots, the food is awesome and the people are lovely, so why not check it out and see for yourself. Sure it's a little rough around the edges but it's a bit of an adventure