Unawatuna

Sri Lanka's South West coast is known for it's beaches, and as I'd not seen it, Brock suggested that we head down the coast to a small place called Unawatuna. Jo had told me how good it was - and that I should definitely go there as I would love it...so I was really looking forward to leaving Negombo and heading out that way..

We caught the bus back to Colombo - and then the train to Unawatuna. The journey itself is worth doing, as the train runs down the coast often close to the sea and the views are amazing.

Here's a pic of me hanging out of the train door on the way to Unawatuna:



Christine and Brock on the train:



The train stops in Galle, from where it's a ten minute Tuk Tuk or bus ride to Unawatuna. It's an amazing place - and Jo was right - I loved it...

Unawatuna beach:



We spent about a week here, and most days went something like this:

A late start, followed by breakfast, followed by a swim in the sea, followed by coffee, and then some lunch, followed by some reading, or maybe another swim in the sea, followed by dinner...such hard work - but someone has to do it...

It was good to really relax, enjoy the good weather, the beautiful warm water of the bay, and the great company...perfect days :-)

On one of the days, the three of us decided to head to Galle to have a look around. It was colonized by a whole load of people (Portuguese, Dutch, and British), and the influences are obvious.

Brock and Christine on the walls at Galle Fort:



And enjoying the sun:



Brock being interviewed by a school class on tourism in Sri Lanka:



And the buildings of the old town - including the lighthouse:



The sign says it all - and highlights the importance this port once had in international trade:



The old town is full of old churches - each reflecting the various traditions of the colonizers that built them. The Dutch church is famous for it's floor, which is made entirely of gravestones:



"God and my right": the crest of the British Empire - identical to the one at the entrance to Skipton Castle:



Sadly - it was time for Christine to leave Sri Lanka on her way back to India and then home - and as we had to collect Brock's Ipod, we decided to head back to Colombo for a few days, and caught the train back to the capital...it was going to be a very eventful few days that were going to change the course of our trip...