We took a 9000LKR A/C taxi from Unawatuna to Gem River Edge eco-lodge due to it being New Year in Sri Lanka on 13th April (2014), we were told that the buses would not be running (the same journey on a bus would have only cost us 170LKR each). Our taxi driver was nice enough but was feeling a bit worse for wear after a heavy night celebration New Years and was a bit sleepy so we had to keep chatting to him and suggested having a break so he should have a drink and refresh a little bit.
Gem River Edge restaurant
We arrived at Gem River Edge to be greeted by the lovely Carla (one half of the couple that run it). The rooms were basic but comfortable, there wasn’t too much light (but that’s kind of what you expect from an eco lodge) but we were given a solar powered lamp which we managed to use as a bit of a spotlight/torch in the room. There was plenty of wildlife on your doorstep, or on your legs in the case of Matt and one of the outside toilet’s resident frogs! The stunning river was home to crocodiles (crocs to the right, people to the left!) although we didn’t see any but we only managed to be down there for a few minutes – there was too much else to see and do. They are currently expanding em River Edge, building more accommodation (at the moment there are 2 double rooms (shared outside toilet and shower – both nice and clean) and a family suite (with 2 double rooms and bathroom inside) and they are hoping to offer packages/programs for people that want to relax and fully emerge themselves in the ethos of the lodge, all eco-friendly, from growing their own food to practising yoga and massage. It is a truly beautiful place with amazing staff and we both really hope to re-visit in a year or 2 when the work is complete (oh, and the food’s great too!)
The first evening, we got a TukTuk to Kataragama for the Puja, a nightly ceremony at the multi-religious site in the Holy town (both Buddist and Hindu temples at either end of a long walkway) – a truly special place. We returned to the Puja the following night after visiting Yala National Park (a trip arranged by Gem River Edge) to watch the New Year parade – a unique experience we weren’t expecting.
On the day after the safari, we took a couple of bikes (supplied free at Gem River) out for a cycle ride to a beautiful lake, surrounded by paddy fields and yet more wildlife, peacocks and monitor lizards casually crossing the path in front of us. Going for a bike ride from here is something we’d definitely recommend (and as we’re used to travelling on the left hand side of the road, it didn’t seem too daunting even though the way of driving over here seems crazy!) Overall, we had a fantastic stay at Gem River Edge, I’m glad we had 3 nights there, we wouldn’t have had enough time to really appreciate the place if we had stayed any less.
