Location: Koggala
A first on this trip. A day with a schedule that didn't start until 2:30 in the afternoon. We took full advantage of the late morning breakfast (we could have ordered room delivery) and at 11 am eventually decided it was time to stretch the legs.
Perhaps we could have thought that one through a little better and opted to do our beach and street walk at a cooler time.
It was a scorcher. The beach fell away quickly and in fact much of the bay was closed and labelled too dangerous for swimming. Not that we were looking to swim - but did want to at least set foot in the Indian Ocean.
Wandered along the beach and marvelled at the tourist focus. Cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels dominated the beach front. Patches of sand were claimed by businesses which had their chairs and umbrellas prominently on display. At every little patch, a staff member would come out and ask if you would like to sit or sun-bake. All comes at a price of course.
Signs warned that the beach was closed and that swimming in the area was dangerous. There were people in the water even though the red flags waved in prominent positons
@Rayleen and @Ken had hired a tuktuk and taken off in the opposite direction to Turtle Beach. Swimming definitely allowed there as long as you didn't mind sharing with the 40 turtles in the bay. They loved it.
We left the beach and returned via the backstreet, again in awe that businesses are conducted in such run down conditions. But they advertised their wares and no doubt, at night, this seafood precinct comes alive. In these alleyways, it wasn't beach chairs and umbrellas on offer - it was tuk tuks. And fir some reason - perhaps we looked a little weary - we were constantly offered a ride.
Met the group at 2:30 for our organised tour. The plan was to share the first hour togehter, then split up for free time in the market and eventually to get back together for the 6 pm dinner booking.
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications was a surprise -it was a full city inside the walls of the fort. It had its begunnings as a Portuguese settlement in the 16th century and it was at its peak in the 18th century before the arrival of the British and while under Dutch rule. For two hundred years it was a significant trading port for spices.
Today, it is a combination of tourist centre and private housing and it overlooks the Galle Cricket Ground. Its solid walls defied the onslaught of the tsunami in 2004.
We took in the rampart and guns, the warehouses, clocktower, museum, government buildings and the lighthouse. All the while accompanied by a rotating contingent of walking salespeople selling "handmade" white linen goods.
Found the Crazy Cliff Jumper at Gate number 1 and couldn't raise the funds to get him to jump into the waves below. Think that the contingent of school girls on excursion may have limited the fund raising efforts.
@Ken couldn't resist the charm of the snake charmer and somehow @Nila produced those ice blocks again at a perfect time.
We were let loose for free time to wander the market and strike some bargains, before settling in for group drinks and our farewell dinner.
What a perfect venue. The food was fabulous and @Mac and I decided to throw caution to the wind and just eat! Still had two sheets of Gastrostop tablets up our sleeve. I was in food heaven and devoured two whole crabs. Cracked and slurped my way through every morsel - never in doubt. @Mac had a wonton soup and a prawn Curry - after his bland diet of the last 8 days - it was a struggle but he did it! Still marvelling at the 12 king prawns that topped his curry.
@Nila had organised a singer/guitarist to entertain the group and all the classics were resurfaced. Mind you when the "Dancing Queens" mentioned ABBA it was vetoed. What did happen though was a fitting end to our trip. Our guide team of three, (@Nila, @Mandu amd @Dassa) @Abey and the entertainer performed a traditional Sri Lankan song. Filled with smiles and passion, they danced and swayed as we all joined in as best we could. The song "yanna ratawatte " is well known to locals and is a travelling song - it invites friends to come and see the beautiful sights of Sri Lanka.
Was a perfect wrap up to our time shared together
Weather: 30 degrees - but literally felt like a furnace on the beach - not even a hint of a breeze - definitwly felt like
Steps: 17832
Health Check: decided "who cares"
Accommodation: Epic Unawatuna - a second night
Straight from the itinerary:
After breakfast at the resort, today is yours to enjoy at leisure.
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