Places: if you’re looking for a private paradise in Pasikudah, look no further: Vandalous Bay is the perfect place. This secluded beachfront villa is a hidden slice of heaven that offers an escapade from the world outside, enveloping you in serenity.

With its lovely pool, balconies, and large, luxuriously-appointed, and air-conditioned rooms with all amenities, all you have to do here is unpack and unwind. 

Take a dip in the pool or walk down to the beach, go on a boat cruise, savour the food… No matter what you do, one thing’s for certain: you will have a holiday to remember.

The food? Custom menus that meet your culinary desires that you can plan in advance, cooked to perfection and plated to please. The ambience? With only the sound of the waves, Vandalous Bay is serene and soothing, offering relaxation and rejuvenation from the moment you arrive. 

As for excursions, if you’re so inclined, you can explore the east coast and enjoy the many experiences it has to offer – some of Sri Lanka’s most stunning beaches, hundreds of archaeological sites, amazing seafood, the eastern sunrise, national parks, fishing, kayaking, boating, snorkelling, WWII shipwreck diving, and so much more. 

The overall experience? Nothing short of divine – I had one of the most relaxing holidays of my life here. Although I did visit Batticaloa during my stay to realise a long-held dream, Vandalous Bay is one place you really won’t want to leave.

Tip: April is one of the best times to visit, with calm seas and ideal weather conditions.

Pilgrimage: listening to the ‘singing fish’ under the Kallady Bridge in the Batticaloa Lagoon is something I’ve been wanting to do for over two decades and last weekend I finally realised this dream, after years of fearing that the phenomenon would cease before I experienced it.

We got to Batticaloa at around 10 p.m. – late at night is the best time for this excursion, when the sounds of traffic ease, and full moon nights are said to be ideal – and engaged Aqua Tourism Batticaloa (076882229) for our tour, with guides Christine and Rujidhan accompanying us.

We got into a boat and sailed close to the bridge, filled with hope. Soon enough, it was time to stop, plunge oars into the water, fall completely silent, put the handles to our ears, and listen to the nocturnal chorus… It was enchanting.

Many people still think the ‘singing fish’ mystery is nothing more than a myth, one that has almost been buried in time given the decades of conflict, but go there and listen… and you will believe. The fishermen certainly do and claim to have navigated the waters in the dark with the help of these sounds.

It could be fish, it could be ‘crying shells’ as some believe, or it could be something else entirely – but the music, despite the terror and tragedies Batticaloa has undergone, still plays and still captivates. Having heard it, I am in awe and deeply thankful I was able to experience this ethereal phenomenon.

Tip: to learn more about this legendary and enchanting phenomenon, listen to the BBC programme titled ‘The Singing Fish of Batticaloa’. 

Plates: if you pass the Kos Kele food outlets in Melsiripura on your way somewhere, it goes without saying that you must stop here to eat. And if you stop at the outlet with the red Nescafe sign between the 62nd and 63rd mile post, you will be able to enjoy some of the best hoppers you’ll ever have, plus many more kinds of freshly-made food. 

On the way to Pasikudah last week, we stopped here for a breakfast of hot and crispy hoppers, paired with a superb kochchi sambol, dhal, and mushroom curry, and ate to our heart’s content. 

This is Sri Lankan food at its finest – no frills, pure flavour – and no trip in that direction is complete without a food break at Kos Kele.

The Kos Kele food outlets stretch features some 50 shops and most are open around the clock, making it a very popular pitstop that offers travellers satisfying sustenance at extremely reasonable prices.

Tip: if it’s hoppers you’re after (and you should be!), call Dimuthu on 0717093354 in advance to place your order and call again when 15 minutes away to make sure you have a hot breakfast ready and waiting for you.