Galle and The Fort

The walls of the fort meet the Indian Ocean

After a peaceful sleep, broken only by our security guard, the guest house's dog, we headed off on the local bus to Galle. By now we're quite used to jumping on as the bus slows down but doesn't stop.

Clambering up the Fort walls

We explored Galle on foot. We learnt that the Dutch took over the city of Galle from the Portugese in 1663, and built the 36 hectare fort and that the huge stone walls had continued to protect the city, even through the 2004 tsunami.

International Cricket Stadium, Galle

After just a quick look at inside the fort walls, we headed into New Galle in search of breakfast. Sri Lankan bakery food in hand, we made our way back into The Fort to eat. We then walked a circuit of The Fort atop the gigantic wall. Our views changed from the Galle International Cricket Stadium, to some local games of barefoot cricket, to the splendid Indian Ocean, turquoise and lapping at the walls. We decided that the walls of an ancient fort are a pretty good spot from which to watch a game of cricket.

We witnessed some inspiring buildings in want of renovation. And boy would we love to oblige. The wooden framework of the doors and windows and the sharp render of the simple buildings are just waiting to be combined with the grand, historical warehouse-like shells of the abandoned-looking buildings within The Fort. A Grand Design waiting to happen we think. So much so that we were forced to check out the local real estate listings. Hmmmmmmm.

After a couple of hours of walking we were hot. Stinking hot and sweaty. The Sri Lankan heat is like no other and we are soon discovering why the Sri Lankan people move at the pace they often do. We cooled down with a cold bottle of water in the shade of a tree before completing our circuit of The Fort.

Walking the circuit of the fort

We then went in search of an ice cream store we'd heard about as we walked and ended up at Dairy King, at the far end of The Fort, where we devoured a chocolate and a mango ice cream. Well deserved after 10 kilometres of walking.

We got the bus home, had a quick swim and returned to our room in the hope of drying our clothes. The humidity of this place, combined with our room being closed up, meant even our dry clothes had become damp overnight. Humidity.

Monkeys and their coconuts

As I spoke to Mum on the phone, I noticed five monkeys playing in the trees above me. I had to move inside as their debauchery meant a coconut fell from the tree and landed next to me. Only in Sri Lanka.

We ventured out again once the sun lost its bite and had some beers on the beach as the sun set behind the temple on the hill. Even in comparison to Mirissa this place is expensive though! 300 LKR for a bottle of Lion beer this time. We treated ourselves though before heading back to our favourite hang for dinner. Chicken friend noodles, dahl and rice and our first experience with hoppers. Yummo!

I think I've realised why I enjoy the Sri Lankan restaurants and bars so much. It's because everyone, including the owners, are barefoot, there's sand everywhere (much to Chris' dismay) and nobody is in a hurry. We are slowly slipping into Sri Lanka mode and I reckon that before this six months is up, chris'll have dreads. Even though he thinks he's more likely to have a dreaded beard than anything else.