Galle Fort
Just 5 minutes
walk away is the 90 acre fort of Galle built by the
Dutch rulers in 1663. This area has been classified
as an UNESCO World
Heritage Site because it is not only a historical
city but one that continues to ‘live and breathe’
even today. It houses many places of interest including
Groote Kerk, the oldest Protestant church in Sri Lanka,
the Bell Tower and the old Dutch Government House.
Close by are the banks and other business institutions
and the handicraft shops (specialties include hand-made
lace and ebony carvings) and Sri Lankan gem and jewelleryshops. |
Shopping
Close by within the Galle
Fort and in town are many handicraft shops selling
specialties of the region such as hand made lace and
ebony carvings and Sri Lankan gems and jewellery.
Within the hotel too you can indulge yourself in the
hotel shop which offers a range of items from spices,
tea, fabrics and clothing to art and books to every
day necessities like film rolls and picture postcards. |
UnawatunaBeach
Just 10 minutes away is one of the best beaches in
the world, Unawatuna. With the sea often as calm as
a pool this area offers many possibilities for entertainment
- you can snorkel and explore the reef and interesting
wrecks; you can dive; or you can just soak in the
sun.
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Rhumassala
Kanda
At the western end of Unawatuna
beach is a huge mound-like hill which is strangely
out of place in the landscape. Blessed with about
a hundred herbs, some of which are found no where
else on the island this hill offers an exquisite view
of the harbor, the town and even Adam’s Peak
on a clear morning.
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Trekking
For those of you who love
trekking Galle can offer you some very interesting
trekking opportunities. Walk to the famed Watering
Point Unawatuna where VOC ships made their vital intake
of water before they sailed on to Indonesia or back
to Holland. Along the way explore a freshwater pond,
which apparently held fresh water since the 17th century
and only became polluted during the last thirty years.
Continue on to Rumassala and then on to Welledevalaya
temple. Walk through a small valley with paddy fields
and end up at Yaddehimulla, a friendly tourist village.
If ancient architecture interests you a trek along
the sewage systems built by the Dutch will certainly
be of interest. Much of Galle was built around these
intricate structures that were aligned to the tides
to provide a continuing and natural flush. By following
the system you can discover the framework of the historical
city. |
Martin
Wickremasinghe Museum of Folk Culture
The museum is inspired by
one of Sri Lanka’s foremost writers and his
writings. Situated in Koggala, 10km from Galle, it
is surrounded by 8 acres of restored ecosystem and
houses an interesting collection of Sri Lankan
artifacts and memorabilia. |
Stilt
fishing at Ahangama 
As you drive South along the Galle Road look out for
something unique to the island – fishermen perched
on sticks planted in the sea and armed with a fishing
rod. This phenomenon can be seen on just this short
stretch of the Galle Road.
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Wildlife
Sanctuaries 
If it’s wildlife that turns
you on visit the Koggala Bird Island just 15 km away.
Further afield is the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary of Bundala
where hundreds of migrant birds make their home during
the Northern winter. At the corner of the island where
the south coast meets the east coast lies Yala National
Park where you can see the majestic elephant, the
deer, the sambhur, the proud peacock and last but
certainly not least the graceful leopard.
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Temples
and Churches
The religion of the majority
Sinhalese in Sri Lanka is Buddhism. Visit a village
temple and also the famed ancient temple at Kataluwa
– Poorwarama temple which is home to several historical
paintings. Also visit the old Dutch church within the
Galle Fort and a Hindu Kovil in Galle town. |
The
Shakti
One of the things Sri Lanka
is most famous for is its tea and a popular misconception
is that tea is grown only in the central highlands.
Visit a low country tea estate right here in Galle
and taste the difference. Learn more about the processes
involved in getting that cup of tea to your table. |
Boat
Rides
Take
a serene boat ride down a tributary of the Ginganga
River and take in the abundant flora, fauna and bird
life. You can also visit a cinnamon plantation,
rubber estate, tea plantation, vegetable farm,
Buddhist temple, wood carver and traditional village
laundry along the way. |
Koggala
Lagoon
Island
hopping on the Koggala lagoon is another favourite with
both local and foreign visitors. The boatman winds his
way around the islands in the lagoon and you can visit
a spice garden, cinnamon plantation, bird island and
a temple which houses Sri Lanka’s first printing
press dating as far back as 1862. |
Tropical rain forests
Situated inland from Galle
are some of the most beautiful and valuable tropical
rainforests in the island and in the region. Sinharaja
Rainforest, a World Heritage Site is spread over an
area of 11,330 hectares and boasts a large number
of rare, endemic plant and bird life.
Also close to Galle is the Kanneliya Forest Reserve
which contains 81% of the woody plant species endemic
to Sri Lanka. After an invigorating trek through the
jungle you can cool down with a bath under the unspoilt
waters of the Kanneliya Waterfall.
Kottawa Forest Reserve is another must for you nature
lovers. A live herbarium with plants and trees identified
in both English and Sinhalese a visit to Kottawa gives
you the chance to learn more about Sri Lanka’s
floral heritage. |
Kataragama
Near Yala National Park is
Kataragama where both Buddhists and Hindus worship
God Kataragama at the historic shrine deep in the
Southern jungles and on the banks of the Menik Ganga.
The annual festival in July and August is spectacular
with fire-walking and other rituals being performed
by devotees.
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No.
29, Upper Dickson Road, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Tel 94-91-2244322, 94-915-450950, 94-915-452852
Fax 94-91-2234855
New E-mail : ladyhill@sltnet.lk
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