Some of my posts on this blog will soon be moved to Doria Travels. Doria Travels will be my blog where I will be giving you first hand experience from all of my travels from around the world. Beautiful Eye will be just snippets of the book that will be published. Please follow Doria Travels for the latest and greatest tips on different countries.
Sri Lanka – 012 – Market street around Fort Stn & Harbour (Photo credit: mckaysavage)
Right now we are having tea in a building that was built in 1884. The Pagoda Tea Room is located in the Pettah area (old Colombo). Not much goes on here now but the tea is cheap (Rs 60.00 a cup) or US$0.46. In 1983, Duran Duran filmed their music video “Hungry Like a Wolf” here.
Pagoda Tea Rooms (Photo credit: DennisSylvesterHurd)
Fishing craft on the Galle road (Photo credit: oldandsolo)
English: Colombo street scene in early 20th century. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This morning we left for Colombo via car and driver. The cost was US$45 which I though was quite high but there was no easier way. We have 2 very heavy backpacking backpacks and some hand carry luggage as well. Hikkaduwa is not on the express train route nor near the highway ramp. We are driving north on Galle Road so you can still capture in the rays of the sun coming off the Indian Ocean. You also get to dodge the cattle and tuk tuk drivers as well. This is also the longest route at 2 hours.
I am very much looking forward to being back in Colombo to meet more members of my 1993 graduating class. This is also an opportunity for me to talk to bookstores about selling my book. I also have an appointment with a literature translator who is interested in translating my book to Sinhala and an editor-in-chief who wants to offer me my own column. Welcome back to Colombo!
English: Amangalla, Fort Galle, Sri Lanka (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: building under repair in Galle fort in Sri Lanka Photograph taken summer — autumn 2003 by Joedjemal Refer — http://www.GalleZone.com (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The fort of Galle in southern Sri Lanka, first a Portuguese, then a Dutch stronghold (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Large church, Galle fort in Sri Lanka Photograph taken summer — autumn 2003 by Joedjemal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
My Lunch of Jumbo Prawns
Today we came back to Galle Fort to look around at the old architecture. The first stop was the library built in 1832. We decided to ask to have a look at their oldest book. A memoir written in 1803 by a British author was presented to us. The binding was redone but the pages were original. I was lucky enough to hold this book in my hands. The next stop was the old post office that still stands today dating back to 1872. It is still fully operational. As you walk around towards the clock tower, you can see the Tsunami 2004 damage. There is still a lot of construction going on here. For lunch, we headed back to the Rampart Hotel and decided to try the jumbo prawns in garlic sauce. Believe it or not, but they were even better than the seafood platter.
English: Fishing boats near the Hikkaduwa beach. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Recovery and reconstruction efforts following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, western coast of Thailand (Photo credit: ILO in Asia and the Pacific)
English: Hikkaduwa beach by sunset. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Hikkaduwa beach. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Construction of house after December 2004 Tsunami in Matara District of Sri Lanka. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
USGS graphics showing the two wave forms of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Countries most affected by the tsunami, with the earthquake’s epicenter. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is very hard to get a good Internet signal in this area. Best to walk around and keep trying. This beach area was first popular with the hippies of 1970s is one of Sri Lanka’s best deals to stay at right on the beach. In fact most of these beach front properties are US$60 or under a night. If you want AC and hot water, expect to pay another US$10 a night. You really don’t need hot water and most of the AC units here are quite old. I say save your money and go primitive.
This area was badly damaged by the Tsunami of 2004 and you can still see its impact. When I was living here 20 years ago, these guest houses had quite a bit of beach front property back in the day, the ocean had less of a current, and the fishermen were bringing in a lot more fish. Sad to see this morning that one of the fishing boats did not bring in any. Surfing is still popular in this area though.
Today, I am determined to find the site of my 10th grade Geography field trip here but so much has changed. Wish me luck.
Animation of 2004 Indonesia tsunami (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Beautiful Eye 