Who – August 10, 2019

PATRICK STRAUB (5)

I

’m lying on the floor of a yoga shala in the

Sri Lankan jungle as my teacher Jessamin asks

us to think about something we’re grateful for.

Sitting up, I bow my head and join

the chants of Namaste around the room.

Opening my eyes, I listen to the sweet songs

provided by native bird life and watch a butterfly

flutter across the room, as the first rays of

sun illuminate the swaying palms in the dense

jungle setting.

I glance at my sister Marissa, who has joined

me for a week at Soul & Surf, a luxe surf and yoga

stay in Ahangama in Sri Lanka’s laid-back Southern

Province, and smile.

With four children under eight between us,

the chance to indulge in our childhood hobby of

surfing twice a day, plus practise twice-daily yoga,

meet like-minded people from all over the world,

eat tasty, nutrient-dense cuisine, rest and explore

a country that has been on my bucket list for a

long time, meant it isn’t hard to think of something

to be grateful for.

Gratitude is practically seeping from our pores.

With psychologists recommending mums take

regular child-free holidays for their mental health,

there was no better destination than the nation

voted by Lonely Planet as the No. 1 country to

visit in 2019.

Usually after an albeit rare morning yoga class,

it would be a mad dash home to prepare breakfast

before dropping off kids to kindergarten and

school and rushing to work. Not today.

After our morning Vinyasa practice lead by

Soul & Surf ’s resident teacher Jess, my sister and

I join the other 20 guests – and the retreat’s Head

of Vibes, Lara – for a communal breakfast in the

open-air dining space beside the pool which runs

through the centre of the property.

Meals are lovingly prepared by chef Aruna

and his hospitable all Sri Lankan team and today

we’re served local coffee, fruit, juice, toast and

the special, which is pancakes with a twist.

Each day, breakfast is followed by a two-hour

surf session.

Our jungle oasis is just a 10-minute tuk tuk ride

• or 2km – to the beach and when we arrive, we are
  placed into surf groups according to our ability.
  There’s more surf theory and support for
  beginners while experienced surfers are taken
  to more challenging breaks.
  With a bit of surf experience under our belts,
  my sister and I, along with an affable German lad,
  Denis, are put in the care of British-born surf coach
  Andy, who is both articulate and encouraging.
  It’s not long before we have the confidence to
  surf bigger waves at breaks like Sticks, South Beach

Enjoying a fresh coconut at

Hiriketiya Beach

AMY MILLS

WHO Travel Editor

Trying out

the stand-up

paddleboarding.

A Sri Lankan

tuk tuk.

64 l Who