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Beautiful and Exotic Sri Lanka
Situated around the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka should be on your travel bucket list because it is one of the most beautiful islands of Asia. With mesmerizing beaches, rustic mountains, and illustrious history, Sri Lanka will surely capture your attention.
The country is filled with gifts of nature, friendly people, and top-notch tourism infrastructure. Also, it is a very cheap country. Thus, if you are in the mood of budget travel, then you can surely head to Sri Lanka for your next vacation. Apart from the stunning views, Sri Lanka is also known for its mouth-watering local food delicacies.
The country is big and can be divided into North Sri Lanka and South Sri Lanka. The northern side is filled with history and culture, while the southern side has beaches and places to relax. As a matter of fact, most people love visiting the northern parts of Sri Lanka because it offers a lot of different things. However, the southern part of the country would give you full vacation vibes.
Following are the places that you must visit while you are in South Sri Lanka.
Visit the Colonial Town, Galle
Galle is located near Hikkaduwa, which is a pretty town. It is a colonial town and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built by the Portuguese and later developed by the Dutch in the 18th century. The town has a different charm to itself.
You should at least leave a day for Galle. The best way of exploring this place is by walking on foot. The town starts with the Galle fort which gives a stunning view of the waves. The fort also overlooks the cricket ground and gives an entry in the fortified town. It is covered with rustic facades, maze-like alleys, and not to mention the ancient houses.
The town is filled with pretty boutiques, cute cafes, galleries, and hi-end restaurants. You could also stroll around the lighthouse where you get to witness the waves crashing along the coast.
Whale Watching in Mirissa
Mirissa is a laid back town with stunning beaches. The place has a lot of resorts and boutique hotels to offer. You might want to book a hotel near the beach so that you could walk down to the beach and witness the stunning sunrise.
The beaches at Mirissa are filled with different shacks which serve some amazing food and drinks. They offer excellent service, and their ambiance is just next level. It is also possible to swim in the beach. Also, make it a point to visit the beach in the evening as the cafes at the beach are lit up with fairy lights and candles and give it a different look altogether.
Mirissa also offers an amazing activity, which is known as the whale watching. Almost all the whale watching tours start right in the morning. They have no fixed hours. Depending on the condition of the sea and the position of the whales, the timings can go up and down.
Please note that whale sightings require a lot of patience. They usually take you to the middle of the sea, although there is no guarantee that you will see the whales. Besides that, the whole journey is beautiful and worth taking. And if you are lucky enough to spot the whale, it would be a bonus. It is always a good idea to carry the sea sickness pills as the tour continues for a minimum of three hours.
Learn about Mask Making
Sri Lanka is known for its devil dances. It is almost a part of their culture. The dances are really exhilarating, and they will surely captivate your attention. So, make sure that you witness this part of the tradition. The dancers usually wear brightly colored masks which have exaggerated expressions.
These dances are mostly performed at community gathering and festivals. A lot of skilled craftsmen spend months creating these wooden masks. You can even have a chance to witness the whole action at the Ambalangoda Mask Museum. The museum is owned by the Wijesuriya family. The tradition of mask making has been handed down by them to the coming generations.
The museum is open to tourists, and you will get to see the artists carving the wooden masks and then later painting it. They are painted following the directions from the scriptures. Also, these are usually painted using naturally sourced colors.
The museum also informs visitors about different stories while showing them the traditional mask designs. The interior of the museum is covered with varying displays of mask designs. The museum also has a shop which sells these beautiful masks at a reasonable price.
Visit the Harbour in Beruwala
This place is located just 60km away from Colombo. You can escape the busy city life in Colombo and quickly hop to Beruwala. It is one of the most famous coastlines’ in the country. In the eighth century, the Muslim community settled there. Following that, the community started growing, and it is still home to the Muslims.
Beruwala is filled with pretty resorts and stunning beaches. A lot of water sports also take place here. The place has roadside fish markets which are located near the harbor. If you are a fan of seafood, you will surely love this place. Besides, you can witness the fishermen at work if you visit the harbor in the morning hours. Across the harbor, there is also a lighthouse. It will take you just 10 minutes to reach the lighthouse in a boat.
Relax at the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort
India is known for the origination of Ayurveda. However, even Sri Lanka has a notable history in the field of Ayurveda, and you can have a taste of it too. If you are looking to detox and rejuvenate, then Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort is the place for you. Located in Wadduwa, it has tropical gardens with its own stretch of the beach.
You can book the place for days or weeks and witness different Ayurveda therapies and massages. They offer bungalows and luxurious sites as accommodation options. This place is worth a visit.
Conclusion
The south of Sri Lanka is an unraveled beauty, and you should visit it once if you are looking for peace, tranquility, and rejuvenation.