This blog first appeared in
http://www.ozehols.com.au/blog/sri-lanka-holidays/spotlight-on-the-south-coast-of-sri-lanka/
Boutique Hotels Sri Lanka
This blog is to provide valuable but some brief information on places
to visit in Sri Lanka south coast and insight for those who are
planning a trip to the South Coast of Sri Lanka including some of the
best
boutique hotels Sri Lanka in Galle during their Srilankan holidays.
South Coast of Sri Lanka is a region of spectacular variety. You
will find many of the beautiful beach resorts, rubber and toddy tapping
industries, the city of Galle which was a historic stronghold of
Portuguese and Dutch rulers, forests, ancient ruins, large national
parks, places of worship and more, the south coast has it all. The
scenic road from Colombo to the South Coast takes you along the coastal
fringe up to the city of Hambantota.
When you are travelling from Colombo, you will first past the beach
resort suburb of Mt. Lavinia and approach the Lake Bolgoda between
Moratuwa and Panadura. Lake Bolgoda is a popular holiday destination
popular among the lovers of water skiing.
You travel further south to reach the Kalutara which is the home of
famous Gangatilaka Vihara. It is dagoba or vihara seen miles ahead on
the south of Kalu Ganga Bridge. The dagoba has a hollow interior which
is beautifully painted depicting various devas and monks of religious
significance during the lord buddhas era. There is a Buddha shrine and a
bodhi tree alongside the stupa. It is customary that local travellers
stop by Gangatilaka Vihara and make a donation or offering to ensure a
safe and happy journey to their ultimate destination.
In the by gone years Kalutara was a major centre for the spice trade,
mainly cinnamon. The Portuguese, Dutch and the British have had watch
points and fortifications in Kalutara during their times of ruling to
guard the river entrance to the inland. Today Kalurata is famous for the
exotic fruit “Mangosteens” and for the colourful and finest basketery.
Kalutara is also the centre of the thriving rubber industry of Sri
Lanka. Rubber Research Institute is in this district in the suburb of
Agalawatta which has a model rubber estate which facilitates various
studies and research on all aspects of the rubber industry.
We have just detoured to Agalawatta towards the Rubber Research Institute. Our journey will continue soon…….
Soon we will be looking for a holiday villa, beach resort, hotel or any other
holiday accommodation in Sri Lanka, to stay during our holiday, we will have a look at
LankaHols to find a suitable vacation rental. When we proceed further south towards Galle one of the
Sri Lanka Resort villas such as
South Point Villa,
South Point Cottage or
South Point Abbey offered by
LankaHols will be quite luxurious to break journey.
Just a few kilometres south of Kalutara is the starting point of the
famous beach stretch of the south coast. Beruwala is the starting point
, and you will be amazed by the number of hotels and resorts which have
sprung up on either side of Galle Road. There is beach accommodation to
suit any budget – accommodation to suit the budget seeker to the five
star resorts. The next beach suburb we approach is Bentota which offer
calm, safe swimming ocean best for swimming from October through April.
The beaches in Bentota are so inviting except during the monsoon rains.
As you travel past Bentota right down to Galle, you will observe the
“Toddy Tappers” who are young men moving from one coconut tree to the
other high up the coconut trees about 30 – 40 feet above ground
collecting the sweet milky sap of the coconut blossom known as “toddy”.
Toddy is used by the locals as an alcoholic beverage and distilled to
make the more potent local alcohol known as “arrack”.
Our next stop will be the coastal town of Kosgoda…..
As we continue our journey further south we approach the village of
Kosgoda which is famous for its Turtle hatchery operated by the Wild
Life Protections Society of Sri Lanka. There are several endangered
species such as the Hawksbill protected and hatched here in a controlled
environment. Hawksbill eggs lay uncovered all over the beaches and the
caring fishermen in the area bring those eggs to the hatchery. Now
hundreds of thousands of young turtles are hatched and released to the
sea though the turtle hatchery.
Past Kosgoda we reach the suburb of Ambalangoda most famous for the
“Devil Dancers” and Mask carvers. If you are lucky you could attend one
of the folk drama performances (you may have to enquire where one is
taking place). You will be amazed by the number of mask carvers and
shops on either side of the Galle road exhibiting these immensely
colourful carved masks. For those who like to explore a piece of
history could visit an old Dutch Church which is beside the Ambalangoda
Rest House. If you are in a mood for a dip, there is a bathing beach
near the rest house. If you care to travel inland to Meetiyagoda (about
10 minute drive from Ambalangoda), you will be in the primary mining
district of the gem stone called the “Moonstone”. Slightly milky white
in colour, moonstone is used in many kinds of jewellery.
Venture further south and you will arrive at the famous coastal
suburb of Hikkaduwa. This is a more vibrant town with various craft
shops and boutiques selling batik clothing , colourful masks and
jewellery. The area is scattered with cheap eating places and ideal for
budget travellers looking for cheaper accommodation. The low end
accommodation is more visible in Narigama the southern end of
Hikkaduwa. Now the more luxurious resorts have also found Hikkaduwa to
be their home to accommodate the moneyed tourist. The beaches are ideal
for surfing and the coral reef area is famous for snorkelling. If you
are not the type who enjoy snorkelling, a glass bottom boat will take
you on a tour for you to enjoy the underwater marine attractions.
During the journey south you will be amazed by the number of
fisherman in the sea who are fishing on stilts. The stretch from Koggala
through Ahangama to Weligama is famous for stilt fisherman.
Ahangama is a Surfers Paradise and known for its left break. Surfing
season is usually from November and lasts till April. Ahangama is
situated very close to
South Point Villa,
South Point Abbey and
South Point Cottage.
One can also experience the traditional stilt fishing methods by
village folk. Ahangama is closely situated to Unawatuna, Historic Galle
Fort and Mirrissa.
From here we will continue our journey towards Galle the most famous township in the south coast of Sri Lanka…..
The most significant of all is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort
in which the central city of Galle is contained. The locality of Galle
made it a strategic location for a port and did became a significant
port of call for centuries. Thus the city became a trading centre
resulting in a wealthy cosmopolitan population. The Galle Fort still
retains tell tale signs of the battles among the locals and the invaders
which took place during the by gone era. You will no doubt enjoy a walk
around the modern city of Galle admiring the old cannon mounts and
looking far ahead into the sea watching the fisherman going on with
their daily work routine. For those who appreciate a piece of history
could visit the “Groote Kerk” the oldest Protestant church in Sri Lanka.
If you happen to explore Galle, you will notice several colonial
mansions preserved and used as private residences and guest houses. If
you are looking for a place to rest and spend a few days, check out one
of the
villas in the South Coast, or a
resort in Sri Lanka Galle offered by LankaHols a sister site of OzeHols. Staying in
South Point Villa,
South Point Abbey and
South Point Cottages will provide you all the luxury you deserve.
Galle Fort recognised by UNESCO for its cultural heritage it was
declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.
Today a stables converted to a
Museam to cafes in restored colonial buildings, interior shops
to jewelry shops sporting items made from traditional semi -precious
stones can be found as one walks through the narrow streets of the Fort.
The Fort is also home to the annual Galle Literary Festival which is
now considered to be one of the top ten literary festivals of the world.
In 2012 the festival had the pleasure of world renown authors like
Joanna Trollope, Richard Dawkins, Tom Stoppard, D B C Pierre, Meera
Syal, John Byrne, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Alistair Horne, Nayantara
Sahgal and Hari Kunzru.
From Galle if you travel inland you could reach the low country teal
plantations in Deniyaya. About 80 kilometers from Galle inland towards
Deniyaya is also the best entry point to Sri Lanka’s best known
rainforest “Sinharaja Forest”. The vegetation in the forest is diverse
and so is the wild life.
Hope you enjoyed our blog on places to visit in Sri Lanka in the
south coast and our recommendation on some of the boutique hotels in Sri
Lanka close to Galle in south Coast.
Please tweet this by
clicking “Travel Sri Lanka – Boutique Hotels Sri Lanka Galle”
