Sunday, February 8, 2015

Have a Tour in Galle


The capital of the Southern province, Galle once had been the European administrative center over four centuries, which is located 116 km away from city of Colombo. South West coast has been becoming home for city of Galle.  Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. It is at its best during October to April when the monsoon moves northeast and the sea offers a calm and quiet opportunity for the relaxing.


Galle, not only for many attractions such as Dutch Fort, Dutch Reformed Church, Dutch Museum, Koggala & Ahangama or Midigama , But also one of the best place for whales & dolphin watching. In here, you are able to experience wide expansion of the beach with having a fine sea bathing or surfing.


Dutch Fort

In the year 1663, it built by Portuguese & used until Dutch’s capture to shield themselves from inland attacks. Then Dutch improve the defense system of the fort & raised until British raid who did not make any change to the fort because of their movement to the Colombo to make it as their capital. Many Old Dutch buildings are still inside the fort with represent the history of Ceylon. The UNESCO has declared Dutch Fort as a World Heritage site, which is located in Galle








Dutch Reformed Church

One of a creation by Dutch army, in the year 1754 at the site of a previous Portuguese church. The church situated close to the new entrance to the fort. The major highlight of the building is there are no pillars inside the building, and the walls support weight of the roof.





Galle National Museum
In the year 1656, using the oldest Dutch building of the Galle fort this museum established in Galle city to aware on traditional cultural heritage of Southern Sri Lanka by the Department of National Museums.

Galle National Museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in Southern region such as traditional masks used in various rituals, collection of ornamental objects made up of turtle shells, ancient wooden carvings, and a Beeralu collection etc. The influence of Dutch is showed by the equipment used in Dutch ships came to the Galle harbor. Large water vessels, V.O.C. porcelain objects, arms, and weapons used by the Dutch soldiers are some of exhibitions among them


Maritime Museum
In 1671, this museum established to make awareness on marine biological and anthropological aspects of Southern coastal area. It is located in the old Dutch ware house of the fort of Galle. It shows, the types of watercrafts used in passenger transport and maritime trading in Southern Sri Lanka, traditional life style of fishing communities and such fishing techniques, marine eco systems and their flora and fauna. Models of mangroves, seashore plants, turtles, sea birds, and marine mammals displayed with their taxonomic details. Specimens of corals, marine shells and some invertebrates also exhibited.


Ahangama or Midigama
If you do interesting in fishing or surfing tours, Aangama is one of the best place for that. It is a well famous area for its Silt Fishing. For not only Silt Fishing but also it is a well popular place among surfers.


Koggala
If you are a person who interested in folk, art, & culture, it is better to have a walk in there. There was a local writer named Mr. Martin Wickramasinghe who offered so many books to Ceylon’s literature. Koggala was the hometown for this writer.  The museum of Folk, Art & Culture built in his honour at his old home with displaying local folk items including the costumes of folk dancers, sports items, household items, and furniture and vast arena of the folk life of the early 20th century.

Having a boat trip in the lagoon or Koggala Lake to experience of its small island will lead you to a popular destination for bird watching.


Kanneliya Forest Reserve (KDN- Kanneliya,
Other than to Sinharaja Rain Forest, Kanneliya forest reserve is the large remaining rain forest in Ceylon. This is a forest complex, which designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in the year 2004. With becoming catchment area to Gin & Nilwala Rivers, this place located 35 km northwest of Galle.


There you‘ll be able to see may endemism. Totally, there are 301 plant types, 133 faunal species with 59 birds, 14 amphibians 32 butterflies, 7 snakes &10 mammals.



Having an early visit to Gall not only leading to experience many of these places, you may get a chance to have a dolphin & whales watching in Mirissa area. There is so many lesser-known attraction in this area other than to above places.

See you soon at a new destination.



Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Let's Step up to Ratnapura (A Day Tour)

Colombo/ Ratnapura/ Colombo (Air port)

It's about 136 Km away from katunayake International Air Port. By using Colombo express ways you can cut off the distance further to reach the City of Gems. There are lot of destinations you can experience in this city within a day.

City of Gems


Ratnapura is well known for its gems. There are large variety of gems including deep Red Rubies, Star Ruby, Amethyst, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Garnet, Zircon, Spinel, Citrine, Yellow Sapphire, Orange Sapphire (topaz), Cat's Eye, Tiger's Eye, Alexandrite, Pink Sapphire, White sapphire,  Specially Ceylon blue sapphire considered the world best. If you could visit to a workshop you will be able to experience gem cutting, polishing, jewellery making, and also you can visit to gem mining to know the way of gem arrival. 

Rathnapura Museum

Earlier this building dwell as the house for Ehelepola family, so this building well known as Ehelepola Walauva. You will be able to find this place when you travel Colombo - Ratnapura road. It has exhibition rooms which contain prehistoric archaeological inventions, natural heritage, geological, anthropological, zoological artifacts and models related to Sabaragamuwa province.

Saparagamu Maha Saman Devalaya

When you travel through the Colombo-Ratnapura road, on the right hand side you will be able see a signboard "Saparagamu Maha Saman Devalaya". Located at Ratnapura-Panadura road. This is the place where dedicated to God Sumana Saman. The God Saman considered to be the guardian of Ratnapura. There is a stone which is growing. Every August there conducts a traditional festival for two weeks including a Saman Devala Perahara (procession).  Uniqueness of this procession is Mahabamba Kolama. Mahabamba Kolama only exists in Saman Devala Perahara.

** Every day, there are Pooajava ceremonies. Each day Morning poojava ceremony commences at 7. 00 am till 1.00 pm & evening ceremony commences at 6.00 pm and runs till 8.00 pm.

** In this year procession will be commenced on  September 2016 (Refer Event calendar to know exact dates).


Bopath Waterfall

The name "Bopath Ella" (Bopath Waterfall) has been given to this waterfall because of its shape. It has a shape similar to the leaf of sacred Bo tree. This shape can be seen very well, when water level increased. Located along the Colombo-Ratnapura road at Devipahala village.

   


















Rajanawa Waterfall

Situated at Marapana village in Ratnapura. You can reach there at 1st mile post bridge of Ratnapura-Kalawana road. According to the legend as king Walagamba has bath from this waterfall. Hence name derived as Rajanawa waterfall.


Katugas Ella (Waterfall)

To reach this waterfall you have to drive along Colombo-Ratnapura road and turn at Weralupa junction. It is a set of waterfalls which is height about 6m. Most of the people haven't seen the main waterfall because they stop on their way at Katugas dola (stream).

Kiridi Ella

Height is 116 m which flows from its starting point 940 m up the Kuttapitiya mountain. Located along Ratnapura-Balangoda road in Bambarakotuwa jungle near Pelmadulla. In the forest area which is surrounding the waterfall consists with multitude of plant species.  

Sinharaja Rain Forest

A well known destination for its eco values. Not only a national park but also this is a biodiversity hot spot in Ceylon. This forest has been named as  a Biosphere Reserve and as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Access ways
Kudawa entrance : Colombo-Kalawana- Kudawa
Pitadeniya entrance : Galle or Matara- Deniyaya- Pitadeniya
Morning side entrance : Gale or Matara- Deniyaya- Morning side Estate


Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)

Forth highest mountain in Ceylon (2244m). Located Northeast of Ratnapura city. All four major religion in Ceylon believe that Adam's Peak as a holy mountain. This mountain named in various names such as Samanala Kanda, Sri Pada, Adam's peak. Buddhist believe that, the Lord Buddha has visited the mountain and set his sacred foot print on a large blue sapphire. 

The pilgrimage season to climb this mountain starts on full moon Poya day in December and it runs until full moon Poya day in April.

If you reach to the top of the mountain very early in the morning you will be able to experience miraculous sun rise.




  
It is difficult to climb this mountain within a day. You may need at least two days to climb this mountain.

Keep in touch to know the average cost for this tour.......

Here it is......


**It assumed that you may take travel agent assistance. This is just only an average cost.
**It is difficult to cover all the attractions within a day. costing just only cover with places     where you can easily cover up in a day.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

One Day in Heaven

If you wish to have a tour in heaven it is better, move around Colombo, Ratnapura or Galle. If you wish to get down from Bandaranaike International Airport these cities are OK to travel within a day. 

Step to Colombo.........

There are plenty of places in Colombo that you can experience west coast of the island. It is the largest city & the official capital in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) which, combined with all old & modest things. 

  1. Fort area

  2. Fort area, the heart of the Colombo boarded by the Beira Lake on one side & Colombo harbour on other side. There you can experience colonial architecture, Dutch buildings including Colombo Dutch museum (early Dutch House), Dutch hospital.
  3. Pettah

  4. In another name Pita Kotuwa or out side the port crowded area with thousand of stalls. There selling every kind of merchandise which is famous for its cross streets. Each streets famous for different commodity.

  5. National Museum & Art Gallery

  6. House in a gleaming white neoclassical building, open in 1877. Adjoin to it there is a Natural History Museum and next door is the National Art Gallery consist with selection of paintings. 


  1. Dehiwela Zoo
  2. More than 2000 animals are housed. There you can experience a butterfly park, swan pond, reptile house, aviary, nocturnal house, and a aquarium which consist with 500 species of fish. Elephants circus shows daily at 5.15 pm.
  3.  







Mount Lavinia

Nearby to Dehiwela zoo you will be able to find out the Mount Lavinia beach area. Plenty of bars & cafes are on this sand for you enjoyment. 


Viharamahadevi Park

It is the oldest and biggest park in Colombo which is situated next to the National Museum in Ceylon. The park was built during the British rule of this island. Establish as a botanical garden and conservatory for tropical species. 



Thalangama Wewa

A complex of shallow tanks, canals & paddy fields. This is the Colombo's nearest wetland. The tank and surrounding fields have recently been declared a protected area. For birdwatchers it is easy to reach because it is 10km away from Colombo.

Royal Colombo Golf Club

Not only first golf club in Sri Lanka but also one of the oldest golf club in the world. Opened in 1879. There is a  rail way line crosses on this eighteen- hole course.


























Further, you can visit to Gangarama Viharaya a Buddhis temple, Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam which is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo. And also you can visit to St. Andrew's Scots Kirk a church and Jami Ul- Alfar Mosque.