The traditional appeal of Sri Lanka is at its charming best in the south. Full of sleepy villages, life in the south is still largely about fishing, coconut farming and rice cultivation. Deeply steeped in Sinhalese culture, the coastline here is dotted with temples and gigantic statues of the Buddha. Colourful festivals and religious ceremonies are celebrated with true passion and spirit.
For a peek into the colonial past of Sri Lanka, head to the Old Dutch quarter or ‘Fort’ area in the port of Galle. While the rest of Galle is like another dynamic Colombo-in-making, the pristine Fort area seems to be mercifully caught in a time warp.
Beyond Galle, lie the enchanting destinations of Weligama, Mirissa and Tangalle....
The traditional appeal of Sri Lanka is at its charming best in the south. Full of sleepy villages, life in the south is still largely about fishing, coconut farming and rice cultivation. Deeply steeped in Sinhalese culture, the coastline here is dotted with temples and gigantic statues of the Buddha. Colourful festivals and religious ceremonies are celebrated with true passion and spirit.
For a peek into the colonial past of Sri Lanka, head to the Old Dutch quarter or ‘Fort’ area in the port of Galle. While the rest of Galle is like another dynamic Colombo-in-making, the pristine Fort area seems to be mercifully caught in a time warp.
Beyond Galle, lie the enchanting destinations of Weligama, Mirissa and Tangalle. A couple of fabulous places at Weligama are the tiny island of Taprobane; almost completely hidden by dense jungles, and the stunningly gorgeous area around Taprobane.
To enjoy a seaside sojourn, the village of Mirissa is one of the best bets. Pristine white sands and the dense thicket of coconut palms cast a spell upon visitors. While here, you may enjoy lots of swimming and snorkelling. Mirissa is also a fabulous place for spotting Blue and Sperm Whales.
The Tangalle Beach has been described as the perfect beach by some visitors. Miles and miles of pristine powder soft sands, turquoise waters and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze – the beauty is hard hitting indeed! Ravishing sunrises and sunsets add to the charm and usually there are very few tourists around and it feels as if you have the entire world (read beach) to yourself.
If you are yearning to hear the ‘Call of the Wild’, it’s probably time to go to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife reserve. The sight of herds of elephants moving in a graceful procession is one of the deeply satiating rewards of visiting Yala. The park is also home to leopards, sloth bears, wild water buffaloes as well as an extensive reptilian, amphibian and fish life.
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