Yours Consciously Sneha

Tag: ocean

A Guide to Galle & Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Traveling: It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller-Ibn Battuta

This pretty city Galle situated by the shores of Indian Ocean at the southern most part of Sri Lanka still holds the charm of European styled buildings, cobbled stoned roads, red tiled roofs, flowered pots in the veranda & a fort built by Dutch takes you back to centuries of years when Portuguese & Dutch had stepped to Sri Lanka in 16^th & 17^th century.

Things to do in Galle

Although there isn’t anything specific or a huge list to be covered, a walk in the fort in itself is on the topmost things to do. Galle has been so far the quietest city I have been to in Sri Lanka, most of the old buildings have now been converted to either cafes or restaurants or a fancy tourist shop. There are high chances to be lost while walking around the fort as most of the buildings look similar, but getting lost will always take you to something better 🙂

I got lost once & this is where I ended up with the colorful Tuk Tuk’s lined up & colorful flowers hanging from the pots looked like they were made for each other.

The Old Dutch Hospital which was built by Dutch as a hospital back then is now used for dining & shopping. Totally worth a visit if you are a foodie & a shopaholic like me 😉

There is a spectacular view of the cricket stadium from the fort, suppose to be one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.

I also relished walking at the edge of the fort, watching the couples romancing under the umbrellas & hearing the silent waves kiss the shore. Water was as clear as the crystal & as blue as the sky, I sat here staring at the ocean for quite a while listening to all the life lessons they have been teaching.

Waves roar towards the shore,
saying be wild & free.
Wind whispers in my ears,
saying be wild & free.
Sun shines over my spine,
saying be wild & free.

Things to do in Unawatuna

Unawatuna is in the suburbs of Galle, a major tourist spot for its well known beach. I first landed at this sacred hill Rumasalla in Unawatuna where every plant/tree has some medicinal value. Tales of Ramayana flies around every part of this hill as this was one of the broken part fallen when Lord Hanumantha was carrying the Sanjeevani hill from India.

Japanese Peace Pagoda is located at a beautiful spot which has the views of the ocean, it is meant to shred Peace & the oceans across pours more shine to stay peaceful! At the entrance, there is also a statue of Lord Hanumantha as the tale in Rumasalla runs around him.

Jungle beach, this beach reminded me of Leonardo’s movie “The Beach”, from the walk to the beach till I reached the shore; the stills of the movie kept running in my head. It was my first time ever to walk alone in a secluded place & it was totally worth it. I witnessed one of the best sunsets as I was walking back from the beach.

Unawatuna beach is a little too crowded for me, although there are many restaurants if you would like to just go grab a beer & watch the ocean. That’s what I did 😉

Where to stay

Kikili House

Located in Galle & few minutes’ walk away from the fort; It’s a painting by itself, every step you take is filled with colors that tickles all over your body from head to toe, their quirky kitchen and the food served is a treat to your eyes and the stomach. Read the full post here, to stay at Kikili House they can be contacted through their website.

Silva Tree House

Located between Galle & Unawatuna on the sacred hill Rumasalla, a glass house with the view of forest and my favorite is their bathroom with the view of ocean & forest J 15 minutes Tuk Tuk ride from Galle & a few minutes’ walk to Japanese Peace Pagoda, Jungle beach and Unawatuna beach. Read the full post here, to stay at Silva Tree House they can be contacted through Airbnb.

Where to eat

There are plenty of options to eat in the Galle Fort & Dutch Hospital; I ate this yummy brinjal meal served on a leaf at “A minute by Tuk Tuk” & a drink at the “Hammock Café & Pub”. Hammock Café & Pub as the name says, where you swing on a hammock & chill with a drink.

Otherwise, for a cheaper option, there are lots of street foods available at every corner of the road with yummy rolls, vade’s & kothu parathas.

How to reach

Sri Lankan railways are very well connected to all the major cities/towns; there are trains from Negombo/Colombo to Galle. This whole journey is on the coastal route, it feels like train literally is floating on the ocean. Check this link to track the schedule of the trains in Sri Lanka.

If you do not wish to wait for a train, there are plenty of buses as well from Negombo/Colombo to Galle.

Bikes for rent are available too in most of the areas if you would like to travel around by yourself.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

September 24, 2016
Sacred hill in Ramayana, Peace & some Beaches @ Silva Tree House!

Our Peace shall stand as far as rocky mountains-William Shakespeare

Ramayana is one of story that we Indian kids grow up hearing to by our grandparents or parents or on a TV series; we all know that Sri Lanka plays a major part in Ramayana. As I got into the Tuk Tuk to go to my next destination, driver Kumara started telling the story about this hill Rumasalla & yes it was part of Ramayana.

When Ravana kidnapped Sita, he hid her around many places in Sri Lanka to avoid the very strong Hanumantha. This is one of the hills where Ravana hid Sita, Laxmana (Rama’s brother) who came looking for Sita was injured and Hanumantha did not find any medicine for the cure, he went looking for it in Himalayas. He carried the hill and came to Sri Lanka, while he was flying pieces of the hill fell in few places and one of them is in Rumasalla. Every plant/tree here is supposed to have some medicinal quality.

As Kumara was sharing the story climbing up the hill, I was gazing at the trees and went back to my childhood imagining all the characters of Ramayana that I remember seeing in the TV series. Noise of the engine of Tuk Tuk stopped and I stepped back to reality, as I got down there were 2 smiling ladies waiting to greet me and there was my destination.

At the first sight when I looked at the house, it looked like a gift wrapped by trees around and tied with branches as a ribbon. I released a branch and stepped into the gift, it appeared like I was in illusion when I walked in. I slowly take steps on wooden floor; I see the reflection of trees & myself on the glass walls. Like a magical gift that I walked into, it took me few minutes to realize I was still in the normal world! John calls this magical gift as Silva Tree House.

Next day morning, I woke up to the peaceful prayers from the nearby Japanese Pagoda, sunlight sneaking through the French windows, not too far away ocean. I open my eyes slowly and stretch my arms as the cool breeze from the trees sneaks in.

Dining Hall & Lounge at the roof top!

Traditional Sri Lankan hoppers for breakfast

With a view like this, it was too difficult to come out of the shower!

Could capture Silva Tree House on my way back from the short walk!

I always chose to stay in eco-friendly places, I was happy to know that there were no trees cut when this house was built except for one tree that was removed as it was rotten. Water used here is only rain water; they are working on setting up the electricity to be completely solar. It was learning for me and also surprising to know that the sewage here runs through the natural filters like stones & gravels.

As always, on my morning yoga!

Japanese Pagoda & statue of Hanumantha on Rumasalla hill!

When asked what is so unique about this hill, John mentioned; Sir. Arthur C Clarke, a renowned British science fiction writer had a holiday house in Rumasalla because of the strong magnetic meridians passing through the headland. Magnetic Meridian is an equivalent imaginary line connecting the magnetic south and north poles and can be taken as the horizontal component of magnetic force lines along the surface of the earth. Therefore, a compass needle will be parallel to the magnetic meridian. Fascinating isn’t it? Of course, even I didn’t know what Magnetic Meridian means; explanation mentioned above is from Wikipedia. Another surprise, this hill also attracts more lightning than anywhere in Sri Lanka.

Walk does seem like how Leonardo finds that secretive island in the movie Beach!

Just one of those days when Sun chose to swim 😉

Jungle Beach and Unawatuna Beach are both are at walkable distance from Silva Tree House, although me not being very beachy person; I preferred to walk to Jungle Beach as the walk through jungle sounded exciting. It is about 15 minutes walk and I totally felt safe through the Jungle, it was the first time where I walked through a jungle alone. Fear of not being safe on one side and the noise of waves hitting my ears on the other side kept me walking.

Let this gift be unwrapped with many more surprises all along.

*I was hosted by Silva Tree House; you have to stay here to witness some more surprises.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

April 1, 2016
Discover Yourself in Calicut/Kozhikode!

I am not afraid of the darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living.- Vasco Da Gama

Vasco Da Gama was the first to discover the route to India through ocean landing in Calicut on 20^th May 1498. This was the line I remember studying in school and the only thing I knew about Calicut, while I was talking to my colleague about going to Calicut he mentioned about Vasco Da Gama. I instantly went back to my school days, history was one of the subjects that I never liked much, but I still remember studying about Vasco Da Gama and I was all excited to know more about him. I have admired him and would wonder the struggle he had to go through to find the route through ocean back in 1498.

Although traveling to any city doesn’t excite me much, I had to land here for one my friend’s engagement. Finally with plenty of research, found about this village called Elathur which is about 10 Kms from Calicut. There is a canal that runs through this village; I spoke to few locals there who live on the income that comes from fishing.

About 5 Kms from here is the Kappad beach where Vasco Da Gama landed, there is an ancient temple which is supposed to be older before Vasco Da Gama landed here. As per the locals, it is 800 years old, I was standing here and gazing at the beach. I then closely observed that there is a heart-shaped formation on the sand. Was the nature telling me that they love me too?

For my next long travel, I have been thinking to travel only through the ocean. Never had I thought, Vasco Da Gama would be another inspiration. If he could do it 600 years ago why can’t I do it now? This is what travel teaches you, you would never know where and whose story would inspire you to keep going, keep achieving, and keep inspiring.

I had read somewhere that there is a monument showcasing Vasco Da Gama’s discovery, I should admit that I was a little disappointed with this monument which almost went unseen even after passing twice on the same road unless someone pointed to me that was the monument. If you are excited and curious to know about this monument too, don’t be. Here it is!

A little disappointment, more inspiration, more excitement; with all the mixed feelings in the brain I headed towards Beypore Fort, another beach closer to the city has two piers built till the middle of the ocean. The two old piers opening arms till mid of the ocean, waves coming over with the rush to hug them, the sun getting a little jealous watching their romance! I need not say more, no wonder Beypore Fort is one of the romantic getaways!

Sun had already set by the time I reached there and had left the traces in the sky that he was there and had just left. There were too many people around me and I was still all alone connecting to the waves, sensing the vibration in my nerves, eyes opening up widely to gaze at the brightly lit sky. I guess that’s the difference between nature and people, nature would always connect with you: however you are, wherever you are, whatever you are.

After such relishing meal filling my eyes with beach and sunset, I had to close it with a dessert and went to the SM Street to taste the very famous Kozhikode Halwa available in different colors/flavors.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

January 14, 2016