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Galle Fort -
The Capital city of the Southern Province, Galle Fort was built
by the Portuguese in the 16th century and is designated as a
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The old part of town is
compact so you can explore by foot. A tour of the fort's fortified
walls is the highlight of a visit to Galle.
Martin Wickramasinghe Museum of Folk Culture - This
museum dedicated to Sri Lanka’s most famous writer presents
a rare collection of folk art and implements from different parts
of the Island. The items are arranged under twenty five different
categories representing handicrafts, folk art and music, cottage industries,
agriculture, folk medicines, costumes, religion etc. www.martinwickramasinghe.org
Purvaramaya
Viharaya - a couple of kilometers past the resort lies
the hamlet of Kataluwa where you find Purvaramaya Viharaya,
a most interesting Buddhist temple with 200 year old murals
depicting Jataka Tales from Buddhist scriptures. Thse murals
give an excellent insight to the lifestyle and customs of the
Dutch and English colonial times.
Stilt fishing
at Ahangama - A few kilometers from the resort is something
unique to the island, fishermen perched on sticks planted in
the sea and fishing with a rod and line. This ancient form of
fishing requires great skill and is practiced only in this region.
Tea Plantations - One of the things Sri
Lanka is most famous for is its tea. Visit a low country tea
estate a few kilometers from the resort and learn more about
the processes involved in getting that cup of tea to your table. |
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Cinnamon Plantations - Sri
Lanka was famed for it’s spices and the Souther Province
produces the best Cinnamon in the world. There are several Cinnamon
plantations near the resort where you could see how this prized
spice is produced.
Koggala Lake - The largest lake in the island, Koggala
lake is an unspoilt ecological haven a few hundred metres away
from the resort. The small islands scattered in the lake ideal
for bird watching at sunset.
Unawatuna Beach - One of the finest locations in the
world for surfing, Unawatuna Bay offers an idyllic bay with
plenty of water sports and nightlife.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve - Situated approximately 50
km away, it's the last major, undisturbed area of rainforest
in Sri Lanka. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has hundreds of
species of animals unique to Sri Lanka.
Kanneliya Forest Reserve - This reserve 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. Nearby Kottawa
Forest Reserve is another must visit site for nature lovers.
A live herbarium with plants and trees gives you the chance
to learn more about Sri Lanka’s floral heritage.
Kirale Kelle Estuary - This is an estuary located about
30 kilometres from Koggala. A large marshland with abundant
belt of mangroves and scrub forest, this reserve contains hundreds
of species of birds, reptiles, butterflies and fish. Kirala
Kelle area is classified as a medium status biodiversity area. |
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