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| Linn Lundgren aka Sunshine Stories surfing in Sri Lanka. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
Some people go on holiday to the remote tropics and say, “I could live here.” If you’re Swedish blogger Linn Lundgren of Sunshine Stories you make good on that promise. After being repeat visitors of the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, Linn and her boyfriend Petter returned late last year, this time with no return tickets.
The island of Sri Lanka located on the southern tip of India has had a history of civil war that deterred tourism for many years. Now in a peaceful state, surfers in particular are psyched on discovering playful waves all to themselves. Following up on the Sunshine Stories Guide to Surfing in Sri Lanka last year, we checked in with Linn to find out more about transitioning from being a tourist to a local in Sri Lanka.
By Linn Lundgren, Sunshine Stories
We live in Ahangama on the south coast of Sri Lanka and in this village there’s almost no tourists. We live in a neighborhood with “real” people and that has giving me a lot of understanding of their culture and language. By respecting the locals with how you dress, act and also some easy Singhalese phrases, you go a very long way. The Sri Lankans are very easy to connect with. That the fruit and veggie prices are lower than when you’re a tourist!
Right now we’re renting a big, newly renovated colonial villa and for the first time in the four years we’ve come to the island I was able to buy all those things I’ve been eyeing down as a tourist: baskets in all form and sizes, graphic art work, plants etc. I had a local tailor make me 100 of meters of flags in happy sri lankan fabric to pimp the villa to feel at home. I also love to be able to walk out of the door and find awesome leafs and flowers (not to mention fresh coconuts). I pimp the whole house with leafs.
The waves are more mellow than in Indo, for example. Here there are waves for everyone! Both mellow waves, tubing waves, long waves, short waves, beach breaks and reef breaks. I get a lot of questions of where to sleep, eat and surf! We also rent out rooms in our villa, bed & breakfast style, email me at my blog if you’re coming to the island and are interested!
We’ve had so many friends and family members that have come visiting us and they’ve brought Swedish cheese, chocolate, coffee, rye bread. Food, friends and family is usually what I miss most from home and this winter we’ve had it all!
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| Linn wears the Hermosa in Earth Waves, coming soon! |
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| Daily beach walk in Sri Lanka. Linn wears the Pavones bikini in Porto, coming soon! Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories |
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| Sri Lanka is full of elephants! Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| A look at the markets in Sri Lanka. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Fresh fish every day! Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Linn navigates the rocks, wearing the Hermosa in Earth Waves coming soon. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Never alone when you live in a vacation destination. Friends always come visit! Wearing the Hermosa in Earth Waves and Swami's in Tea Leaf. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Spot check. Linn wears the Hermosa in Earth Waves, coming soon. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Salty hair. Linn wears the Hermosa in Earth Waves, coming soon. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| A quiver of Bing Longboards! Girls wearing the Hermosa in Earth Waves and Swami's in Tea Leaf. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Hello beautiful beach. Linn wears the Hermosa in Earth Waves on her way to the waves. Photo courtesy Sunshine Stories. |
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| Looks like another century ago, the fishing boats in Sri Lanka harbor. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Make friends with the locals! Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Creative clothesline in Linn's Sri Lanka flat, with the Seea Palomar crop top in Tea Leaf in the middle. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Say Hi to Petter! He's the one usually behind the camera. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| This is the life. Apres surf gathering with coconut beverages. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| We love this kimono cover-up! Linn wearing the Pavones in Porto, coming soon! Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Sri Lanka is for lovers. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
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| Linn has a peak all to herself! Photo courtesy of Sunshine Stories. |
1 comment
Raquel Braimbridge
Hi Linn – thanks for your informative blog ? We are a family of 4 beach lovers, hubby loves to surf. We want to visit in February. Looking to stay 3 weeks in total with day trips, surfing, culture, animals and beaches. Interested in you villa plus other recommendations for an itinerary. Our children are 7 & 5. Mahalo Raquel
Hi Linn – thanks for your informative blog ? We are a family of 4 beach lovers, hubby loves to surf. We want to visit in February. Looking to stay 3 weeks in total with day trips, surfing, culture, animals and beaches. Interested in you villa plus other recommendations for an itinerary. Our children are 7 & 5. Mahalo Raquel