| 6 mins read
Daniel Robbins
Let’s be honest: spending only two days in Galle implies that those two days are going to be action packed. There are simply an unbelievable number of things to see, do and experience in this lovely seaside town cosily tucked away in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
Being the type of person who prides herself on knowing loads about history, I headed straight for the Galle Fort. Clearly the jewel in Galle’s crown, this UNESCO heritage site is a unique juxtaposition of European architecture with Asian influences. It was a good idea to take a walking tour of the fort, strolling along its ramparts, learning about its history and interacting with the local artists community. The tour was for a comfortable duration of about an hour and a half, though all that brain engagement and strolling left me in want of a hearty meal.
So I walked into one of the many cafes in the vicinity; to my delight the menu there was not for those who aren’t a little adventurous. If you’re visiting a new country, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t try at least a little of the local cuisine, and hence I ignored the sandwich options to dive straight in to the amazing prawn curry. The place itself was laid-back and unobtrusively quirky, while the food was fantastic. They apparently offered cooking lessons too, which I mentally signed myself up for even if my plans didn’t actually come to fruition.
The Sudarmalaya Buddhist temple was the logical choice for my next stop; after all that artistic hustle and bustle, it seemed time to check out some of the more traditional parts of Galle’s history. Inside the old fort, the temple marks out one of the most peaceful oasis in the city. The priests were pretty welcoming, apparently used to tourists wandering in for a moment of solitude, and it’s a great place to meditate if that’s what you’re into. What I found out later was that a Bo tree stands outside, and one can have some gorgeous pictures of it against the sunset, although I missed out on that treat.
I matched that visit with a trip to the Dutch Reformed Church, a beautifully restored and maintained historical site that offers a very different view on the colonial, settler-heavy period. It was a quick visit, and by now I was feeling the day of walking on my feet. Eager to sample out some more of the incredible local cuisine I’d indulged in earlier, I went on the hunt for another like-looking eatery, to came across yet another restaurant in the Fort area. Run by a mother daughter duo serving up authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, this cosy joint was unbelievable with prices so economical and food so good. Here I framed a very long mental note to myself: “try not to get overwhelmed by the insane array of food you’re given” since the curry and fruit platter very nearly killed me by my gluttony. It could easily have stretched for two people, and all that was for less than 10 USD.
The next day was perfect to get out of the city, and I set off for Sinharaja Forest Reserve early in the morning. There was a lovely walking trail that wasn’t crammed with tourists when I went, though the ground was pretty churned up and I wished I’d brought sturdier boots. The wildlife is peaceful and really don’t seem that bothered by the humans who must constantly tramp through their turfs. I’m no photographer, but even I could envision a setting for some master snapshots turning up in Galle tour guides to showcase this reserve. Trek far enough (I didn’t have the time) and you will find Sri Lanka’s tallest tree. Even if you haven’t quite got the happy-hiker face on, the rainforest is just packed with tranquil rivers and birds that one would refuse to believe have been discovered before now. Needless to say, of all of the experiences on my trip, this one was the visit that I was most pleased I took a chance on. My Galle tour guide also recommended a climb up Rumsala Mountain for superb panoramic views of the area. However the climb was worthy of intermediate-level climbing addicts; something I again mentally signed up for later, when I would return as a more accomplished climber.
I then headed down to a spot nearer the beach to visit the lighthouse. It’s got a properly old-fashioned feel to it, and while one has to get special permission to climb to the top, it’s worth hiking out just to catch the views especially at sunset; yet another great spot for photographers!
In close proximity was the Unawatuna Dive Centre, a great place for even inexperienced divers to have a go. Though my limited time (again) did not allow me to indulge in a diving lesson, the pretty beach and the surrounding small touristy shops more than made up for the visit. While many Galle Tour guides warn that the beaches are run over by large touristic crowds, I realised that coming here at the right time can be quite the peaceful and relaxing experience.
And then it was time for another meal at the restaurant serving up delicious servings of Sri Lankan cuisine at the Fort (trust me, if you’d been there, you’d have been surprised that I’d managed-or-wanted-to leave in the first place) before packing my bags. Galle was definitely one of the loveliest cities I’d visited in Sri Lanka. I thought it would mostly be about the history and the architecture, but there’s so much on offer here that no matter what kind of traveller you are, there’s aplenty to do. The one thing that I’d advise anyone going there (apart from try the curries)…. don’t forget that camera!
