Monday 25 April 2016

What the heck are Poyah Days?


Poyah Days in Sri Lanka

Many people planning a tour of Sri Lanka have seen the phrase Poyah day and often ask me what  Poyah days are and will they affect their backpacking or holiday plans. The truth is Poyah days are national holidays so some disruption to your travel plans may occur.

Sri Lanka is mostly a Buddhist country and so many of it's holidays are linked to religious Buddhist celebrations such as Poyah day. Poyah day also known as full moon day is linked to the moon cycle. There is a full moon every month so every month there is a Poyah day which is a national holiday.

Buses, Trains, taxis and Tuk-tuk
There are fewer buses and trains and fewer taxis and tuk-tuks available, so be prepared for delays or get ready to make new travel arrangements if backpacking. If your tuk-tuk driver turns up at all be prepared to find him drunk.

Visiting the Beach on Poyah Day
On Poyah days everyone heads to the beach and you will quite often see Sri Lankans all jammed into the back of a lorry, singing, dancing and eating as they head off to the beach. The privately owned blue and white buses get hired for the day and get packed with party goers. With music pumping out full blast the bus is magically transformed into a disco bus and as it races towards the beach at full speed, horn blaring you can see the locals inside dancing and singing their hearts out.

Places like Negombo beach park become a Mecca for locals on Poyah day, traffic comes to a stand still around the beach side and the beach park area is absolutely packed full of locals partying. Expect to find parties of guys singing and dancing and getting high on extra strong beer and the local arrack. This is fine to start with by the tend to end up fighting as the night falls. If you decide to brave the local party zones be prepared for constant harassment, as every few seconds a local will be asking you, "Where you from?" "What hotel" and the kids will say "Give me money". It's best to ignore all of them and just keep walking.

Eating out on Poyah Day in Sri Lanka
Many restaurants/bars will close on Poyah day and those that stay open cannot sell alcohol and should not sell meat dishes, fish and vegetables are allowed.  Most restaurants will observe the no alcohol rule but many do still sell meat dishes. Wine stores/supermarkets are also prevented from selling alcohol and shops are not allowed to sell fresh meat produce, although they can sell prepared hamburgers etc.

More about Backpacking and travel to Sri Lanka
If you would learn more about Sri Lanka please check out my 5* rated guide book to Sri Lanka HERE


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