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LEZIMA GOMES
DOHA
With airlines offering special discounted rates to various travel destinations, Sri Lanka is among one of the Asian destinations which is a must-visit. Sri Lanka is endowed with over a thousand miles of beautiful golden beaches fringed with coconut palms making it the ideal destination for a beach holiday. Sri Lanka has some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet and is especially renowned for easy sighting of blue whales, sperm whales and various species of dolphins. Two popular coastal destinations are Hikkaduwa and Negombo. HIKKADUA
The sunny coastal belt of Hikkaduwa on the south of Sri Lanka is a five-hour journey from the highlands of Haputake. Situated between Colombo and Galle, Hikkaduwa has been a top beach destination on Sri Lanka's tourist map since the 1970s when it used to be the hippy hangout. As one enters the destination, the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami is still evident with shells of buildings. Dilapidated houses, whose occupants probably died during the tsunami, appear like grieving, memorials to the dead.
The coastal belt is quite an eyesore with uncontrolled and unplanned development marring the beaches. Erosion has resulted in the sandy beaches fighting a grim battle to save themselves.
It is advisable not to pick a beach hotel and instead opt to stay inside a quiet village. Hikkaduwa is close to many places of tourist interest as also to the whale watching tours.
Mirissa whale watching
The rich waters of Sri Lanka are a crossroads for all types of migrating marine life from the mighty killer whales to exotic turtles. An hour's drive away is Mirissa which is famous for migrating blue whales. November to April are the best months for the whale watching. Chances of sighting are more in the early morning. The boat takes you deep into the ocean but two hours later there was still no sign of the whale. Suddenly a shout from the crew, and there you see the WHALE. In a span of 20 minutes, the sighting of three blue whales leaping acrobatically is an experience of a lifetime. The lucky ones can even spot a school of dolphins swimming in sync.
Turtle hatcheries
A familiar sight along the Hikkaduwa coastal belt are numerous turtle hatcheries set up in recent years in response to the rapidly declining numbers of turtles visiting Sri Lanka's beaches. Funded by tourist donations, the hatcheries buy turtle eggs from local fishermen and rebury them in concrete tubs to hatch. Once hatched, the babies are kept at the hatchery for a few days before being released into the sea. The hatcheries also take care of injured turtles and give them shelter. It might seem impossible to replicate the turtles' natural habitat, but these hatcheries seem to be helping reverse the phenomenon slowly. The hatcheries allow tourists to click photos, while they also explain the process of the incubation and share stories of the injured turtles..
Galle
Galle is a colonial town in Sri Lanka, easily accessible by private and public transport. Hiring a motorbike is a good way to explore the seaside town. The ride is picturesque and follows the coastline closely. The walled city has stood here since the early sixteenth century, through the colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British. The European architectural style is most impressive. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. The fort is dominated by its lighthouse which offers fantastic views of the sea. It's built with white bricks that make it stand out. The historic fort area also has little boutique shops, cafes and hotels owned by local and foreign artists. This place is particularly popular towards dusk for the spectacular sunsets.
Stilt fishing
Stilt fishing is a method of fishing unique to Sri Lanka and practised by fishing families in Galle. Fishermen sit on a pole that is attached to a cross bar driven into the sand a few metres. From this high position, the fishermen do the balancing act. With one hand they hold the stilt and with the other hand they have a fishing rod or a line to catch spotted herrings and small mackerels, which are then kept in a plastic bag tied around their waist or the pole.
NEGOMBO
Taking the train to Negombo is the best way to enjoy the coastal beauty and meet local people. Most tourists visit this town as the first or the last destination in Sri Lanka because of its proximity to the international airport at Colombo. Negombo offers an interesting introduction to coastal Sri Lankan life, and has a lively fish market, an old-world colonial charm. Negombo has one of the coast's best selection of places to eat offering local and international cuisine.
Churches
Negombo is dotted with churches. It was during the Portuguese rule that most people in Negombo embraced Catholicism. Today Negombo is known as 'Little Rome' and nearly two-thirds of its population professes a Catholic faith. A must-visit is the St Mary's Church in the town centre. Founded by Jesuit priests, it has some beautiful ceiling paintings covering the nave.
Lellama fish market
Negombo is also home to the country's second-largest fish market, the"Lellama", at the north end of the town's lagoon. There are daily fish auctions, which give tourists a chance to meet fishermen and get introduced to an array of seafood. But be warned that the fish market near is slippery and very smelly. The Negombo lagoon is the source of some of the island's finest prawns and crabs.
Beaches
Negombo offers some of the better beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka, with a long sandy stretch. The paths leading to the beaches are dotted with excellent restaurants and pubs which are a major attraction. While local handicraft shops around are also perfect for souvenirs.
