Thursday, 14th October 2019
I woke up early this morning to the cacophony of the jungle; peacocks and other birds all in tune with each other so I decided to go for a walk to see exactly where we had spent the night! I left Gerry asleep and walked around. The tents were strategically placed among tree that you hardly could see them so it seemed as though I was actually walking on a small pathway through the jungle. However I did spot a lone peacock strutting around on his own……
At one point there was a lot of movement in the trees close by and I could see a family of black monkeys swinging from one branch to another – they were too quick for me to capture them on my camera! Anyway I continued my walk and climbed up a watch tower. here I could see the sun had just risen above the trees – it was all very peaceful! I then made my way to the central part of the campsite where we had had our dinner last night. It was beautifully set up; on the one side there was a long table and this apparently is for a whole group travelling together as we saw them last night at dinner. On the other side there we single tables for the couples who were staying over and included us.
We were having an early breakfast as Indika would be collecting us at 8.30 am for our drive to Galle so I went back to our tent to wake up Gerry.
Breakfast was a real delight and as we were early got all the attention we needed. Usha came along just after 8 am and told us that jeep would be taking us back to the entrance on time to meet up with Indika.
We had only taken a backpack to the camp so we were quickly ready to be taken to the entrance.
Indika was there waiting for us and as usual, he is always happy to see us and greeted us with his big smile! We now would be setting off to Galle but on the way , we made a detour to Ranna in Tangalle. The reason for this was that my niece, Danica, had told me that after the Tsunami, the Maltese Red Cross, led by 3 Gozitan members, had collected enough money from the Maltese people to help reconstruct a fishing village which totally wiped out by the Tsunami in 2004. The Maltese people had given enough money to build 65 houses as well as a Red Cross clinic. What’s most interesting is that each house has a name of a Maltese village or town.
We finally found this village which was built some 3 km away from the sea shore ( the Sri Lankan government prohibits and houses being built on the coastline) and just imagine how emotional I got when I saw the house called Sliema – I looked in through the gate and called out hello and a young woman came out. Indika acted as a translator and I told her I was born in the town which was the name on her house. She to,d me her daughter was born in this house and she asked me to come indoors so that I could see her daughter who was still napping! We took some pictures together and then visited other houses including one named San Giljan where I had gone to school. Indika asked me when we left if I were happy that we had found this village and of course I answered yes – it had made me very happy to see this village built with Maltese funds! And I am sure my Maltese friends and family will appreciate that we took the time to visit this Little Malta Village In Ranna, Tengale.
Back on the road, we stopped at a sea side restaurant to have a snack and enjoy the view before we continued our drive to Galle. Both Gerry and I realized that we are not mountain people but rather coast people.We both love to watch and listen to the ocean……
Our hotel in Galle was inside the old fort and Indika had quite some problems driving to this tiny hotel and dropping us with our baggage. Well finally we arrived and checked in to the hotel. We were spending only one night in Galle so as soon as we had freshened up@ bit we were outdoors again to explore this old Dutch fort – Fort Utrecht!
Indika parked his car and took the bus back to his family; a 2hour journey and we would see him tomorrow morning when he would come to pick us up at 9am to continue our trip to Bentota.
Well we enjoyed our walk around Galle Fort. I think they should make this fort only for pedestrians as the streets are too narrow for cars and tuc tucs. Anyway we climbed up on the bastions and walked around a good part of the bastions. The view from here over the sea was magnificent.
Once we started walking within the fort, we stopped for an ice cream which was just delicious.and for once I also treated myself to an ice cream – pistachio and almond while of course Gerry stick to his vanilla ice cream…….
After a couple of hours we were back at our hotel – the Secret Garden Fort + containing only some 12 rooms….. however we could sit outside on the side walk and as it was near cocktail time we treated ourselves to some cocktails – for me it was originally pina colada and Gerry a gin and tonics. However I was told there was no more pineapple so I changed my order to a Mojito. Well my Mojito came but Gerry’s G&T didn’t – so after some time I asked where his cocktail was and I was told that they had to,go and get the Gin – my quick remark was,then they should also,have gotten the pine apple as well…….oh well I had only a few sips before Gerry’s G&T arrived.
While we enjoying our drinks, we got talking to a Swedish couple who were on a 5 week trip,to Sri Lanka….. so we were all comparing notes which was good fun…..
After our drinks we went up for a shower and got ourselves ready to go out for dinner; we did not go far as we found a restaurant advertising good seafood so we stopped there and treated ourselves to a St.Valentines dinner. Lobster for me and fresh mullet for Gerry …… it was a great evening and by the time we got back to our Secret Garden,it was time for bed. We had to be ready by 9 am tomorrow morning……..
