How Sri Lanka Changed me Forever | Colombo Vlog 

Sri Lanka is totally friendly and welcoming. People there are extremely hospitable.

I assumed people wanted to scam me so incredibly nice and friendly they were, but after a couple of days, I realized that it was genuine. I had the best time ever and will return sooner than later ❤️ love the people of Sri Lanka

From the US and have spent several weeks in Sri Lanka. I absolutely loved it. Kandy, Dambulla, Trincomalle, and Nilaveli were some of our favorites!

I’m an Aussie who went surfing there in 1980 before the civil war. I found the Sri Lankan people to be warm and friendly. It took a little while for them to warm up back then perhaps a leftover of the British colonial influence and maybe because there weren’t a lot of surfers/tourists😂 Still I loved it and I hope you do too mate

Awesome man. I did Sri Lanka and felt the same after I arrived.. thinking of booking an early flight back to Thailand but glad I didn’t. Sri Lanka grew on me and I’m glad I stayed there for 1 month. Delicious food there as well.

Thank you very much for visiting our motherland🇱🇰 and showing her beauty to the world.....

The things you got drusy called "බුලත් විට" "bulath wita or Betel Nut". It is common, most working people use to chew it to keep their body warm. It is not drug or they tried to make you drug. When you request "Betel Nut" they were bit worried and explained it in local language. Some people watching the video have a feeling, those guys tried to drug you. It is wrong. "Betel nut chewing, also called betel quid chewing or areca nut chewing, is a practice in which areca nuts are chewed together with slaked lime and betel leaves for their stimulant and narcotic effects. The practice is widespread in Southeast Asia, Micronesia, Island Melanesia, and South Asia."

Generally speaking Sri Lankans are absolutely wonderful people. no matter where you go they will well come you. see you are in a area where theres alot of Tamil and Muslims. I think this is your best video so far. keep going brother.

Betel nut wrapped in betel leaf can cause hallucinations or as you experienced, impairment. That's hard stuff for a first timer, like taking a glass of hard whiskey. The difference though is that alcohol is absorbed in the stomach while the nut/paan is absorbed immediately in your mouth thru saliva. It's a nasty thing. Glad you're ok, LJ. Be safe. We want you around for a long time. 😊

LJ I’m glad you finally went to Sri Lanka. I wrote to you more than a year ago about the country and you told me you had not yet been there but hopefully you would. I’ve visited Sri Lanka more than 25 times in 38 years and it’s obvious I love the place and will return again. I was there in oct this year but unfortunately experienced heavy raining 10 out of 14 days. I was about to give up but will probably return early next year ( 2023) or in nov. Then together with my sons and their families. I’m glad you overcame your fear for the unknown and embraced the country. It’s a beautiful place to visit for shorter or longer journeys. Cheers from Sweden

Life is short.Time is fast.No replay,no rewind.So enjoy every moment as it comes. Happy Holidays 🙏

Mate, this is your best video ever! Such honesty and ballsy travelling. Lots of love mate.

Welcome to the Emerald Isle LJ. The streets of Pettah although not for the fainthearted are an excellent introduction to the bustle of Colombo. You need to try more of our food which is a huge part of our identity. Cheers!

There's a ton of vloggers out here stitching up some clips and call them vlogs but yours are on another level. The effects and music is really good!

This is your best video by far. Very focused on the people, the culture and the experience. Resolving with a nice life lesson. That stuff is gold, sir!

You keep making these amazing videos! As so many of your viewers state, you are truly a wonderful inspiration. Keep doing what you are doing... thank you.

I enjoyed that video very much. You brought back a lot of memories. Having been there a few years ago, I found Colombo the most challenging place in Sri Lanka. i loved Kandy and the towns and villages in the mountains. I hope you have or will journey up there. So much to see in Sri Lanka. Take care.

Another great one LJ. Someone once said "Life begins outside your comfort zone", and I couldn't agree more. It really tests you out to arrive in strange city, in a strange country, not knowing anyone or where to go, stay, get money etc. To me, those experiences are the best! Keep up the awesome work!

Esquire.......You are a righteous dude. Keeping it real, honest, colorful and humble.

I found the same things, the touts drive you nuts but Sri lanka is paradise on earth. It retains colonial charms and should be one of the top tourist sites globally.

Awesome and life changing video - LJ. it’s amazing when I think your video is your best one then you create a new thrilling one better than the last. I live in a suburb of Dallas TX and have met Engineers from Sri Lanka - they have many stories about their homeland. All our good people. Soon I will be coming to Thailand.

I salute you for your down to earth and humble ways .I am glad to hear that you have changed how you think of life after visiting Sri Lanka .

Awesome video mate! I didn’t expect to see you in Colombo rubbing shoulders with the locals and carrying big bags of chili peppers! Im glad you could enjoy the lovely southern beaches. I’d love to see you push further into discomfort and challenge your in India. The ultimate travel experience!! ❤️🙏much love and respect from Japan

Nice one LJ! Really getting outside your comfort zone for sure. Stay safe mate 🙏🏻👍🏻👌🏻

Oh man! I’m very much in my comfort zone in Thailand at the minute, I really needed some motivation. Absolutely loved this video. You now have me looking into Sri Lanka! Wonderful you can find veggie food and even better you powered through and really enjoyed it, you are a natural when it comes to people and vlogging! Looking forward to the next one, what does the future hold? 😉 take care bro, much love.

Who would have thought you will come to Sri Lanka. Such a nice surprise. Awesome content as usual.

Thank u for visiting SRILANKA and for being so humble to the everyone you had met. 🇱🇰 🧡🙏

It's been a long time since you made a great vlog with excellent contents. You're on the right track mate. Keep it coming and look after your self and most of all enjoy your time

Hi LJ. Nice words of wisdom at the end. I'm glad your travels are taking you to the great unknown. Peace brother🙏

You're a brave man, Esquire. That was intense. The rawness and chaos. It's like another planet.

Love these vlogs your interactions with the locals are amazing ,whether they are good or bad ,dangerous or happy you really do get into the local social atmosphere. I love it

Yeah the local salesman and taxi drivers etc can be very persistent, they are friendly and will not pester you too much. But myself being from the U.K. they get very personal and want to befriend you in a way that can be uncomfortable. The longer your in the country and understand the culture you become used to it! Personally I didn’t like Colombo too much, but get out of the city there are places worth seeing for sure, especially by train, found them a lot of fun and the scenery is amazing! Getting to know the ladies can be a challenge though as they are very shy and it’s not a very open social system!

Holy moly, this man is creatingnew standards for vlogs, so pure . ❤

Very happy to see such a man like you exploring our mother nation & tell others to that...! Highly appreciate your kindness...! 🙏🙏🙏

What actually made you feel dizzy chewing the chew of betel you had was the effect of the arecanut, chewing with betel and lime (white substance) which can cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and body temperature. I simply dont think they drugged you, but such things are not totally deniable as well. To be on the safe side, it is always better to not take foods offerred by strangers. God luck with Sri Lanka!

that's brillant, that's awesome and unique point of view of this friendly country , we've got adventure, friendly peoples and great food !

People in Srilanka seem to be very friendly.

Hi Esquire ❤ carful out there my friend, great video 😂as always 👍

Awesome video esquire as always. It's like another planet Peace brother🙏

you are a humble person and never see someone down to earth like you :)

Awesome video esquire as always, true to push oneself out of comfort zone, teaches you a lot :) well done mate

Hi LJ What those guys gave you to chew was betel leaves, Arecanut and tobacco. White paste in the piece of paper is lime( powder made out of limestone). It does not seem that they gave it to you to make you dizzy. It can happen to any one who is not used to it and chewing for the first time. Combination of that gives that distinctive red color. Btw, I am sorry that first place of visit made you quite upset. Visit out of colombo and you will get a picture poles apart and I bet you will want to visit again!

Very very good vlog Esquire. You were bold suggesting Warney as the best cricketer to a Sri Lankan when they had Murili 😂. Loved the content in this.

Very interesting video. I think I may travel their at some point. Great advice at the end. It's always a learning experience when you're out of your comfort zone. I'm glad you took on the challenge.

Wonderful country. Great experiences shared! Cheers Esquire.

I love that Esquire explores the world. When I was young and single I too had the wanderlust and was not afraid.

Your video is so real and you show the real side of life. I hope you have changed your life style and made your life more simple .Five stars my friend.

Great video mate - certainly way deep in different culture 👌 - enjoyed 🙏👍👋👌

Great video Esquire. Always a fun time joining you in your adventures!

Big fan from srilanka 🥺🥺finally you came to srilanka soo happy enjoy lot😊😊❤️❤️👍👍

Hi Esquire, I love your videos and your interactions with the various people from the countries that you visit! Cheers!

Been watching your other channel , splendid experience for months, glad to see you come to my country , enjoy your stay , people are really friendly. Dont miss out on the Foods Mate. Cheers!

Welcome to our little island paradise mate. Your vlogs are so natural and you got all the charming and charisma for a great travelling experience 🏄

That's one of your best videos Esquire, really entertaining and enlightening 📽

Brilliant editing, the blurring as if we were POV. Exceptional video and easily one of your best work

i love the way you describe the people and the city, i now understand to look at inner peace

I found this very interesting mate, stay safe and look after yourself Esquire.

LJ you rock! Love the channel and content! Peace

what a wonderful experience this friendliness of the srilancan people is amazing and the vegetarian food you ate with your hands fingers is absolutely great and very very healthy I could use some of that food with all this healthy spices like turmeric plus plus plus GOD that vegetarian dish realy put the green light in my brains to cooking with all the Currys and Indian spices healthier foods thanks for a super great video of srilancan city people and their very healthy foods GOD bless them all.

Good job buddy. Looking forward to the next one.

Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan was at least on par with Shane Warne. The bitter nut that you chewed is also enjoyed in the Philipines, I had a similar experience a few years back, made me very dizzy.

Nice to see another country and people , cheers Mate have fun !

Thank you very much for visiting Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 ❤ and promoting tourism when it is much needed. Hope you enjoy your stay here 😊. Stay safe and stay blessed 🌚🙌🏼.

Happy new year mate , cheers Mark from down under

I enjoyed your out of the box experience . It had an edge to it 👍

Good stuff. Glad you decided to stay on despite the discomfort. It's a novel experience and it does you good !!

Loved the trippy effect!

G'day Esquire from Scotland , love your blogs and that was a lovely summary at the end , spiritual Cheers matey

It's not a dangerous drug, it's just an alternative to tobacco here in SL, 1st time use can be an awkward situation as it has a very strong effect.

First time watching...very informative and subscribed

Great video mate.Did you ever find out what that red stuff was you ate?Lived next door to Warnie wow!What a legend we lost back in March!

Liked and Subscribed. I've been watching back through your content and it's great seeing your growth with the experiences you are taking in

Thanks for letting us see through your eyes of your travels. Something I'll never be able to do or places to go see. Sometimes I watch the video many times. I'm now stuck in bed with a broken bone in my foot... So have had a marathon of your videos...all the back through tida... Can't wait for your next one.. Bring it like a bomb 💣

The leaf what you ate on the street is called Beetle leaf with arikanet and some tobacco leaf. It’s not a drug

Great Vlog LJ i know some Sri Lankan people down here in Melbourne and they are great people ! Never been to the country but it is now on the list and so is the Opulence Hotel ... Great name for a hotel ... Keep it Safe Man !

Great video, love it, great editing, always kept me interested and wanted to know what comes next !

G'day, LJ! You took me back to Colombo during a port visit while I was in the U.S. Navy. I believe it might have been during a deployment in 1980 and 81 we stopped for 5 days. Fun time. We met up with members of the Aussie and British Navies. That was so much fun. Until next time, ta mate!!!

Your best video yet!!! Great one LJ.

Amazing video....Esquire Unlimited in all its glory. Thanks for sharing this!

The vids are stepping up mate , bloody brilliant an the quality off your pictures is second to none . What device you using sure worth a sponsorship

Loved the video Esquire.

loved the video mate !

Bloody Mary's chewin' betel nuts. She is always chewin' betel nuts. Bloody Mary's chewin' betel nuts. Now ain't that too damn bad. -- Song from the musical _South Pacific_ Just found your channel and subscribed. I live in the state of Kentucky in the USA. Cheers!

LJ bringing the heat once again!! Sooooo good

Safe travels and enjoy , don't trust everybody at face value, just saying.

Something about carrying that bag was a special moment. Thanks!

Hope you are keeping well and still enjoying life; really miss your Vlogs.

Geez , you get around mate ! making more runs than Don Bradman !!

Esquire Tip of the day, stick with the street food and not what the the boys on the corner chew. Fantastic insight of this trip. Thank you

Very friendly and some good vibes 💯

G'day LJ. This was a very good video. I can't believe you chewed that junk. Fuuuu.... you are crazy man. The food looks awesome. Very cool to see a side of the world I hadn't seen.

Good to see you testing your limits. A lesson for us all.

Groovy upload LJ. Getting out of the comfort zone fa sure, especially trying Beetle Nut without knowing what it was, brave man, hihi. Stay safe brother.

Great vlog mate. Be careful on the streets. Lucky you didn’t pass out.

Aloha mate; nicely done and yes you seemed out of sorts but you definitely pushed through . Yes it was gutsy taking that stuff from those boys that looked rough. Way to go on the food and yes that was a very cute pineapple shake Way to go Man. Hey if you ever get to Hawaii look up a farm in Waimanalo called honest Greens farm. My friend would love to have you there it’s a WW00F farm. Good job carrying bags of tea, slap in the head crazy 😂

GOD BLEES YOU FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

You ate the betel nuts with betel leaves,betel nut is a natural drug:the fruit of the Areca palm,it is a stimulant drug. It used as slices or grounded powder or crushed form ,wrapped in betel leaves with slaked lime, then it is called betel quid or betel nut chew. Some people add tobacco and other additives such as cloves, coconuts, sugar, to enhance its flavour. Chewing betel chews is a cultural practice in some regions of South Asia and other Asian countries and it helps food digestion, keeping active , stimulation when working hard, stay awakening. When it takes people may get fast heart rate, high blood pressure, red face,feeling warm,sweating or feeling happy and relaxed. When it takes at first time you may get experiences of tremors, dizziness,upset stomach, diarrhoea,vomiting,psychosis , it seems that you get that experiences. Srilankan people are friendly, innocent and with warm hospitality for foreigners and respect them(most), so this guys not tried to make you in trouble, you asked and they offered. But please be careful not to try unknown foods anywhere of the world, take guidance of friendly one, especially when you travel solo,if you get fallen unconscious your items may take by smugglers in Colombo area, especially in city areas people are trying to find moneys, due to poverty.it’S the nature of anywhere of the world. We are happy you are ok with sickness, thanks to visit to our beautiful country, it’s the one of precious destination of the Asia.

Yes, another Great Adventure, I enjoyed following you around and learning a few things, One big one is do not take some of that dope stuff from the locals, Great Spitting job you did there, Glad you made it through that deal.

What an enriching experience. Great vlog.

Thank you so much for visiting my motherland. There will be plenty of space to discover. In Kandy Temple of tooth relic, uduwatta forest (garrison cemetery ), Trinity College and chapel, Ambekke (wood carving ), and Peradeniya botanical garden are named in a few places.