THE SOUTH (HIKKADUWA, GALLE, MIRISSA BEACH) - Mehtab Kaur Chahal
Hikkaduwa
For our third trip, we started off by taking an early morning train from Colombo Fort to Hikkaduwa. This is a seaside resort town and it is known for its pristine beaches and snorkeling trips. We arrived roughly around noon and headed off to the beach after dropping our belongings at the hostel “Coral Front Inn”. Hikkaduwa beach is a place that has good house reef. You can spot many locals and foreigners snorkeling right off the beach. Finding a private spot on the beach is easy by a short walk. There are restaurants and hotels along the strip which is great for you to have a bite to eat or have a refreshing drink. This beach was fantastic for us to tan and swim.
Madu River Boat Safari
A trip to the South is incomplete if one doesn't take the opportunity to go on the Madu River boat safari. This safari is the perfect way to spend the afternoon/evening. Our group enjoyed the boat ride along the river. We passed by and went through a mangrove forest. In addition, we stopped along the way for some fish therapy pedicures and cinnamon tea samples. We were given a presentation on how cinnamon is processed and how it can be used for a number of remedies. During the safari we spotted a "Water Monitor" lizard sitting on a branch, a "Cormorant" bird and a few monkeys. Overall, our group would definitely recommend you to have this experience!
Galle
The following day, we decided to take a bus from Hikkaduwa to Galle. We did some research ahead of time and knew we had to make a stop at the famous "Galle Fort". Galle is a colonial town in Sri Lanka and there is so much history that can be explored just by walking street-by-street. We started by touring Galle Fort which is located in the heart of the town. The fort was originally constructed by the Portuguese in 1588 and later fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. It was later handed over to the British in 1796 who further modified it. Within close proximity, one can easily walk up the fort and see the clock tower, flag rock (a point where you can see daring free-style divers fling themselves into the ocean), Point Utrecht Bastion (lighthouse dating from 1938) and many other locations such as a beautiful church, mosque and national museum.
We enjoyed our walk and a few of our local friends stopped at one point and showed us the location of where the 2004 Tsunami hit the hardest. Some evidence can still be seen. On our way back to the bus stop, we walked by a few streets that had some great hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Galle is a perfect place for good photography and to learn about Sri Lanka's colonial history.
Mirissa Beach
After surfing, our group took a bus to Mirissa Beach. This beach was a highlight for all of us on this trip. I can describe this place in one word, "PARADISE!" The sand is soft and golden brown and the water itself is a nice glimmering blue.
The waves are definitely something to watch for as in the evening the water level rises. Our group agreed that the best part of this beach is the small island that can be climbed. The views from this island were amazing! There are numerous places on the little island where one can capture some great shots. Overall, the beach is tourist friendly. There are many restaurants and hotels that are lined up on the shore. This place is a must visit for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka!
*Please note, it is important to be careful while crossing from the beach to the island and while climbing up.
*Please note, it is important to be careful while crossing from the beach to the island and while climbing up.
Weligama Beach
Around mid-day, we decided to go to a popular place for surfing, "Weligama Beach". This beach is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to learn how to surf as the waves are excellent for beginners. The instructors did a good job teaching some of the basic rules. Our team had a lot of fun catching as many waves as they could!
Comments
Post a Comment