Trip to Bentota

Diary of a Vagabond

Trip to Bentota,
Saturday 8 November, 2008.

Images link: http://flickr.com/photos/54723740@N00/

Our first outdoor trip in Sri Lanka was arranged by the department colleagues to famous west coast of Sri Lanka. The West Coast of Sri Lanka is most developed and most tourist-oriented. Hundreds of European tourists head for the West Coast to spend the sunny winter in the warm and golden sand beaches. The West Coast from Negombo, North of Colombo to down south at Galle is backed by the rows of palm trees leaning over the golden sands with the fine highway running parallel to it. One can find hotels and guest-houses of all sizes and standards throughout the West Coast.

Our destination was Bentota, a beach resort 70 kms south of Colombo where he have booked the company owned guest-house. All the towns on the West Coast including Colombo are connected by the famous Galle Road. It is therefore, one can find all the major markets along this road which creates heavy traffic during the daytime, specially weekdays.

Although the distance was just 70kms, but it took us nearly two hours to reach there. We passed by some famous towns like Kaluthara, famous for its Gangatilka Temple, the largest temple of Sri Lanka and the river “Kalu Ganga” or “Black River” whose expansive mouth is crossed by a long bridge from where there are tempting views of calm waters and thickets of palm trees inland. Beruwala is another town that we passed by. It is the oldest muslim settlement of Sri Lanka.

Our resort borders the railway line that goes the southest part of Sri Lanka, known as Dandra. Crossing the railway line, and now you are in the rows of palm trees creating a heavenly atmosphere. After passing by the palm trees, now you are at the golden sands beach where the crystal clear waves of water are waiting to embrace you. Our resort was right beside the five-star hotel Taj Exotica, therefore, there were lots of opportunities to cool-off the thirsty eyes :).

We came back to our resort where Cricket was being played. They were playing Cricket with a tennis ball but without tape as here in Sri Lanka there is no concept of playing Cricket with tape-ball. I told them how fast paced tape ball cricket is and I have promised them that next time I ll coach them how to make a tape ball. After Cricket and lunch, we had a little nap and than we were ready for sea bath.

Here in Bentota, the sea waves are quiet high. I watched live surfing for the first time and I can understand why all the western people are so crazy about it. Standing on a one or two metre long board and riding over a craziest wave is a daring experience. The weather was quiet pleasant at the moment as there were thick dark clouds on the sky warning us from the upcoming thunderstorm.

It was just before maghrib that we moved back to our resort and it is the time when I really observed it. The guest-house was full furnished with AC rooms, TV lounge with a dining table and the 26” TV with cable, neat and clean bathrooms with proper lighting facility. The guest-house roofs, walls and floors were made of expensive wood which creates a comfy atmosphere. It has a wide balcony with sofas and chairs where we had dinner and karaoke later on. We were served egg burgers with “halal” chicken drumsticks as my colleagues were unsure about chicken sausages. There were “all” kinds of beverages as well.

After dinner we enjoyed with karaoke. Although most of the songs were in Sinhala which I couldn’t understand but being said that music has its own language, so I enjoyed with them as well. I was asked to sing Indian songs so I chose to sing famous song “Chayyan Chayyan”. They danced on it and later on mix one of their own song after which they sing in chorus “Chayyan Chayyan”.

It was a good experience of having get-together with department colleagues who were there with their families. Every body seems to be taking care of each other kids and families, and everybody enjoying like they are all from one family. It was so successful that now they are planning for a trip to Nuwara Eliya as company has guest houses there as well.