Driving Down the West Coast of Sri Lanka

The beautiful little country of Sri Lanka is a wonder to explore and in what better way than to drive! The roads in Sri Lanka have really improved over the years and the highways are a pleasure to be on. Driving down the west coast of Sri Lanka, from Colombo and Mirissa, the southernmost point is about 155 kilometres. Zipping down the new highway takes only two hours but the only scenery you’ll see are the toll plazas! To really savour the sights on the way, the coastal road is the way to go. The roads are good, just slower.

Bentota

Having had a late start from Colombo, our first stop for the night was at Bentota. We stayed at an amazing hotel called The Surf. I just loved it. We were welcomed with a refreshing glass of iced tea. I nursed it as we walked around the property. There’s a sprawling lawn facing the beach, two swimming pools and lovely sit-out areas. After a great breakfast the next morning, we headed out to discover the area.

Turtle Hatchery

Not too far from the hotel was the Turtle Hatchery. As part of a turtle conservation project, during season (October-April), volunteers and team members collect eggs from the beach and transfer them to safe pits in the hatchery. When these eggs hatch, the little turtles are kept in pools of water for up to four days and then released back in to the ocean. The entrance fee to the Turtle Hatchery is LKR 500 but there is a lower rate (like at most l tourist locations) for members of SAARC countries. Visitors can also handle the turtles and release them back in to the sea for a small fee.

Brief Garden

Next, we decided to go to Luluganga, a beautifully landscaped garden that belonged to the famous Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Due to some confusion in our itinerary, we landed up at Brief Garden instead. Brief Garden is the estate of Geoffrey’s brother, Bevis. At the gate, we were asked to shell out LKR 1000 per person and we wondered whether it was really worth it. But having come such a long way, we decided to pay and go in. Undoubtedly, this was one of the best decisions we made! The estate was simply gorgeous and while walking around, we  were amazed by the beauty of the landscaping and  sculptures and ideas art deco scattered around. An example - a wall made out of wine bottles! Needless to say, we never reached Luluganga, which is also supposed to be quite amazing!

River Safari to Cinnamon Islands

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to take this excursion but there is a river safari that takes about an hour and a half and stops at the Cinnamon Islands en route. Here, you can learn more about how cinnamon is grown and processed.

Hikkaduwa

From being a fishing village a few years ago, Hikkaduwa has now become a haven for water lovers and sun worshippers! Guesthouses and hotels dot the road as do souvenir and trinket shops. Little lanes from the road lead to pristine beaches where corals are just a few metres away. We hired a glass bottom boat to look at the corals since we didn’t have snorkelling gear. The colourful fish swimming around the corals were a vivid spectacle.. While in Hikkaduwa, try your hand at the popular sports here - surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Galle

We reached the town of Galle and I wanted to see the much talked about Galle Fort. We checked in at Hotel Lady Hill and were the only guests there! The city of Galle looked like any other city we’d seen in Sri Lanka. But once we crossed the gates of the Galle Fort, we were transported back in time. This Portuguese fort still has its old charm and is almost a little city in itself. Quaint little restaurants, shops and hotels are housed in fine colonial buildings. At one end is the light house, which is still a guiding light for many a sailing vessel. There is also a church and mosque in the complex. We sat on the wall of the fort and enjoyed the incredible sunset. This was followed by a cosy dinner at the Peddler’s Café and a gelato across the street from it.

Mirissa

Further down the coast almost at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka is Mirissa. Known to be one of the best places in the world for whale watching, come November, the whales start migrating from the Bay of Bengal around the coast of Sri Lanka to the Arabian Sea. During the months of December, January and April, there is a 95% chance you’ll see different species of whales like Sperm Whale, Blue Whale and the Orcas. The other marine life you can spot are dolphins, manta rays, flying fish, whale sharks and turtles.

Sri Lanka is a great place to visit and has plenty to offer, especially scenic beauty. Read about my trip to Nuwara Eliya to get a flavour of a different side of Sri Lanka.

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