It's not very often that you find the "PERFECT" guesthouse. 
A place that just works on every conceivable level.
We found that at Beach Hut.
Whilst we loved it the first time we stayed, after a further 10 days there over SriLankan new years,  it is now more like home to us than just a guesthouse. 

When most people think of Arugam Bay, they think of the beach and the surf... Not us.
Sure, the beach is lovely! Actually, it was more than lovely - it was beautiful. And I shouldn't say "it" because there are SOOO many beaches, most of them completely deserted, but all equally beautiful. 

According to both the LP and the rough guide, Tissa is nothing more than a convenient place from which to explore the nearby areas of Kirinda, Kataragama and Yala National Park. We had also heard similar stories from some travellers we had given a ride to, so we originally hadn't planned on even staying at all. But by the time we arrived, we were simply too tired to carry on to the coastal village of Kirinda, and so decided to stop for just one night...

One of the most amazing things about travelling is the ease at which you meet like-minded people. It's so special to be able to make friends with people from all over the world.
We have met some lovely people here in Sri Lanka from lots of different countries, but every now and again you meet people you just click with. 

We met Mark and B at the hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia actually! As all good conversations start, we asked where each had been and where we were going and were surprised to find out we were on the same flight to SriLanka the following day!! So we met up early and headed to the airport early, and the rest is history!

We stayed together in Negombo, and they rented a motorcycle at the same time as we rented our tuktuk. As they only had a month here, they travelled alot faster than we did, but we were still able to meet up with them in Anurandaphur for a couple of days, and then we were able to spend their last week in SL with them, hanging by the beaches! Thanks to them we also met Ben and Lola - an awesome Belgian couple with amazing musical talent. The 6 of us had some awesome fun, hanging out at the beach watching each other being pummelled by the waves, tag-teaming Gypsy-watch, and playing cards on the verandah with a rum or 3... Awesome times with awesome friends. Hope we can meet you guys on the road somewhere again soon!!
Safe travels!!

We woke up on Roh's birthday morning to a message that some friends were also on the south coast, albeit further a long and would we like to join them for their last couple of days in Sri Lanka. 
Well, why not?!
So we drove to Mirissa, all the way from Wadduwa..We decided that this time we would just speed ahead and then come back and do the coast again, and slowly, so we didn't even stop to take photos!!
It was a beautiful drive, and then we were reunited! 
We spent the rest of the day drinking, swimming at the beach, and chilling out with guitars and impromptu drums. Gypsy loved it. She LOVES music and was trying to copy Lola as she sang. 
After Gypsy and I went to bed, Roh and the others continued on to one of the beach bars for more drunken adventures.
Birthdays and special occasions can be lonely on the road, but new friends can really make it a wonderful day.