Leaving the chaos of India behind us our journey led us onward to the tiny isle of Sri Lanka. We arrived at 1030pm and after passing through the easiest immigration yet, we were in a taxi on our way to our hotel in Negombo, about 20 mins from the airport.
Negombo is a small beach side town which makes for a pleasant nights stay after arriving or just before getting on a plane to fly out. We didn’t linger long and the next morning we boarded a series of buses and rickshaws to our first destination in the country, Unawatuna. We needed to take a 1 hr bus to to Colombo then a rickshaw to another station before boarding another 3 hr bus to Galle before grabbing a final rickshaw to Unawatuna. Things went smoothly and we were never waiting for a bus more than 5 mins as there are so many departures. We were glad to be in transit that day as the skies suddenly opened up and the remainder of the day it continued to rain.
Thankfully we didn’t need to get wet running around checking out hotels as we had pre booked a place before arriving due to it being high season on the South Coast. We quickly checked in to our room and made our way out for a delicious meal.
The following day we were pleased to find sunny skies and with nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the weather we did just that. Unawatuna has a nice beach but unfortunately even after the 2004 tsunami leveled everything, development was built back up almost to the waters edge leaving little sand at high tide. The ocean in this part of the world is not to be taken lightly as Lianna learned having never felt the pull of an undertow when she stepped into the water. Luckily, a reef surrounds the bay of Unawatuna making for safe swimming which is vital because the heat of the day was almost unbearable without frequent dips in the ocean.
After spending time in Palolem, Goa its hard not to notice the difference in tourists who visit Unawatuna. While Goa was clearly busier, the age (and weight) of the other travelers was more similar to our own while Unawatuna seems to attract mostly middle aged travelers. After speaking to our friendly owner Ravi he informed us that this is a popular time for Russian tourists (probably due to their Christmas holidays.)
The day ended with a short hike up to a Buddhist stupa on a rocky point where tourists collect to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Large waves roll in from the Indian Ocean and pound against the huge boulders below sending water everywhere and when Lianna got a little too close, ended up getting soaked.
With a little light left we headed down the rocks to a small beachside restaurant serving up fish and prawns from the daily market and made plans for the following day.
I like the sound of the name Unawatuna – easy to remember when I speak to Thava, from that region, at my bank. I can sense the danger in those waters so it’s times like this when I’m glad I kept you in those swimming lessons forever and pushed you into lifeguarding Lianna
Sounds like a wonderful place. i am so jealous of you having to take frequent dips in the ocean, ireland is buried in snow at the moment, which we are not used to. Unawatuna sounds like a wonderful place. what long bus journeys you are accustomed to now. Lianna I’m sure the climb up the Buddist stupa was worth the wetting you got. Sounds wonderful…….Maureen
Hi, you really should make a trip to the beaches in Tangalle… they are MUCH nicer and way more deserted than Unawatuna. Try them out and see. I would really recommend staying at GANESH GARDEN in Tangalle – they are cheap, with good food next to a lovely beach. Seriously, give Unawatuna a miss and check out the less explored areas.