As an island nation, Sri Lanka attracts tourists to their beautiful beaches all year around. After visting old ancient cities, beautiful hills country, lush green tea plantation, amazing wildlife in its natural habitat, we saved the (best) beach destination for last. Galle is our last destination for three days before coming back to Colombo to conclude our trip.
Galle is about 150 km southwest of Uda Walawe National Park. It's located on Sri Lanka's southwest coast and a capital and largest city of Southern Province. Galle is famous for its Fort, known as Dutch Fort, an UNESCO world heritage site remains the best example of a fortified city in South and Southeast Asia, built by European occupiers. In 2004, Galle was devastated by the massive tsunami caused by Indian Ocean earthquake and thousands of people were killed in this city. The survivors would not hestitate to tell the tourists the destruction they witnessed from that devastated event long ago.
On the way to Galle, we stopped in the quaint beach town of Tangalle for lunch and enjoyed some beach views.
TANGALLE
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A temple on the island at the end of the bridge
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Buddha statue in the temple sanctuary
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Tangalle beach
 | Beautiful Tangalle Beach
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GALLE
Our driver, Parera said goodbye to us when we arrived at our hotel, Beach Haven Guest House in Galle. That's the end of his nine drving days for us. Since our hotel conveniently located inside the Galle Fort, we could walk to the old town, to the beach and many other tourist attractions. There were many trendy shops and restaurants inside the fort in easy walking distance to get to. We also took tuk-tuk to some other part of the city outside of the the fort.
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Galle Lighthouse
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Galle Fort walls
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Beach view from the fort
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Meera Mosque at Galle Fort
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Busy fish market
 | Fish market
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Fresh shrimps and squids
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Fresh caught - That's for dinner
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A fishing village near the fort
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Fishermen at work
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Sea walls rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami
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Main entrance to Galle Fort
 | Dutch reformed Church in Galle Fort
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A headstone in the Dutch Reformed Church cemetery
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A colonial building in the fort
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All Saints Church in Galle Fort
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A museum in the fort
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A street in Galle Fort area
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Newlyweds at the old town center
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Our favorite Spa Ceylon shop in Galle Fort
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Another entrance to the fort
 | Galle Fort Clock Tower
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Fruit and vegetable market |
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Fresh curd in clay pots
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A storefront sign
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A parade at full swing outside the fort
 | The "red" team in the parade
 | Having lunch at a local market in Galle (outside the fort)
 | My delicous shrimp sandwich
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 | Two diners sharing our lunch table
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 | Tuk-tuk taking us to the bus terminal
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Galle Bus Terminal - leaving for Colombo
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COLOMBO
The bus took us back to Colombo to stay at the Grand Oriental Hotel for the last two nights in Sri Lanka. The last full day in Colombo, we enjoyed our self walking tour aroun the area of Cinnamon Gardens, including the Independence Square.
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Independence Square, Colombo
 | National monument @ Independence Square
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Independence Square - Colombo
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Colombo Municipal Council Building
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We had an excellent two weeks in Sri Lanka. The country pleasantly exceeded our expectations! It's definitely a wonderful country to visit, to explore and to enjoy the history, the culture and the hospitality of the people called Sri Lanka home!
It's time to say goodbye to Kurt and Lyn also. They were heading home to New Jersey and we continued our next adventures in Asia for two more weeks.
💟💟💟
