Galle, Sri Lanka

Looking out from within the Fort.

Galle (pronounced as gawl) is a beautiful seaside town located on the south of Sri Lanka. Galle is known for its Fort, built by the Dutch around 1663. During the tsumani that hit Sri Lanka on boxing day 2004, everything within the Fort walls were untouched. Only the surrounding areas were affected.

I took a bus down with an ex-housemate (Jay, a local who now resides in Colombo) which cost around Rs.470 per-person and it only took an hour to get here on the new highway. And mind you the bus is actually really comfortable and air-conditioned too! So much for reading the Lonely Planet guide… it needs an update.

We stayed within the Fort at Fort Dew Guest House, on Rampart St. It looks out towards the Fort walls and the sea. Right on top is a little cafe which has an adequate menu but the view from the top is beautiful in the morning. Cool sea breeze set with the sounds of crashing waves and views of the sea….perfect start to a day.

Fort Dew Guest House. Quaint lil' place, family run business which is perfect for a few nights stay. About Rs.4000 for a room for two.

The Fort is cramped with little houses, along side small boutiques, shops and hotels. As we strolled along it was interesting to see the architecture which is something different from most homes I'm used to. Although it has much resemblance to colonial Dutch architecture, here in Sri Lanka almost all of their architecture is a harmonious combination of nature and building. The houses are mostly airy with high ceilings and within the house walls, there in a courtyard in the middle. Almost all the old houses have this concept, and the new houses have something similar.

Most of the homes are open (I hardly saw a shut front door during the day!) and you will notice is almost all of the houses that they have like a courtyard within the house.

Cafe's and Restaurants here are beautiful! The interior is amazing! All the one's I've stepped into have timber elements combined with amazing colorful fabric that is just… pleasant to the eyes.

The food is also superb and as always the tea selection is just phenomenal. After all, Sri Lanka is known for its teas. So in the spirit of travel, I've given up coffee on this trip (lets see how long I last without it).

Going further into the Fort, as it was the weekend, it was filled with tourist and locals a like, taking in the sea breeze and some even playing a game of cricket. 

As I passed the Magistrate's Court, which hardly look like a court, more like a little house, I came across an antique shop. It's more of someone's home turned into a mini museum/shop (which is common here as your business is attached to your home). 

Streets of Galle…

One of the employees was explaining that the owner of the place is a jeweler and gem stone dealer (they have a jewelry shop attached to this place). He has a habit of collecting things, which he finally decided to put on display as well as sell some of his collection. Have to admit, the stuff that was not for sale was what I wanted to purchase! He has old scrolls, to old colonial dutch antiques and beautiful antique jewelry, which is rather fascinating.

Are you serious?

At this point, the sun was high up, the temperature was rising and I need to cool off. So off we went, heading up to Unawatuna. But first haggling we must with the tuk-tuk drivers (unlike Colombo, getting a metered tuk-tuk is rare if not non-existing). About Rs.400-500 to Unawatuna is considered a fair deal…after all that walking under the hot sun, I wasn't going to argue too much and having a local friend next to me was a plus point!

Fishing boats baking in the sun on the way to Unawatuna.

King Fisher's Restaurant. A swanky place on the beach with amazing food.

Unawatuna beach is adorned with soft white sands and warm waters. On a hot midday sun, don't do what I did…leave my flip flop behind and walk barefoot on the scorning hot sand! 

Water sports here are pretty popular so hiring a kayak and snorkeling is something you can do. In the fashion of a typically beach bum, I sat under a shade, had my drink and just took in the view. Peddlers are common along the beach, some selling fabrics, bracelets to even postcards. The prices are fair and inexpensive compared to the shops along the street.

Peddlers dis playing their ware of beautiful bedspreads on the beach.

Unawatuna beach has a high tourist concentration… and a lot of beach bum's, just like me. As I walked down the street, I noticed a lot on construction going on. Currently, the area is not too developed which makes it charming in its own way. In a few years time, this would obviously change and the prices, as you expect will go up. Right now, things here are fairly cheap. 

Somewhere between a cross road, I came across Uncle Mike. A street peddler who is ever so sweet and just simply wonderful. He knew my friend hence he was giving me prices that was cheaper than usual, was what I though. But that wasn't the case…a couple was enquiring prices of some jewelry and he gave them the same prices as he gave me and he even held up a board with all the prices on the different items on them. He doesn't over charge like most who are prying for tourist to pay more. He even gave both of us a friendship band and a lil ivory elephant, stating 'money isn't everything, people mean more and also friendship'. He's such a sweetheart.

Good ol' Uncle Mike. His jewelry is the real deal

I spent the weekend in Galle, wish I could have stayed longer as when visiting the Maritime Museum, I got to know that there are a lot of wreck sights to dive. Most of them are shallow wrecks too, nothing pass 20m. Have to save it for next time.

Next destination, inland. Ancient cities of Sirigiya & Anuradhapura.