Joanna James
Tangalle lies along the southeast coast of Sri Lanka. The place has a rich history of religion linked to royalty while the rustic surroundings of paddy fields and surf are simple pleasures to savour.
The bio diverse environs of Rekawa Lagoon are utterly stunning. The place is located within the charming village of Rekawa which itself is a lovely place to explore for meeting smiling locals and exploring wattle and daub huts. The lagoon is a nature lover's paradise filled with all manner of wildlife; these cover mammals, reptiles, amphibians and many types of aquatic creatures. Birders will find the place is teeming with almost 150 species of feathered beauties. Open for safaris from 8.30 am to 6 pm the place is best visited on a magical full moon night. Don't forget the cameras and binoculars folks. Top seasons for the best encounter around this lagoon is from January to April while getting to the place from nearby resorts such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is a breeze. Consider a fun tuk tuk ride, hire a cycle or a resort car.
Tangalle City Centre is not the Prime Hub you would expect. Instead it is a sleepy little village town that offers tourists a chance to unwind grab a bite to eat and savour a delicious cup of plain tea. Those of you appreciating 'old world charm' will find the Tangalle city centre a little gem to explore. The old shop houses, little alleys and roti shops are sights to remember and cherish.
The Mulkirigala Rock Temples are located on a craggy end of rock that is about 16kms from the town of Tangalle. Shrouded in verdant forest of coconut palms the temples are housed within a network of caves located within the rock face on terraced levels. To reach the temples one must climb a staircase of about 500 steps hewn into the rock; the caves are located on 5 terraces at varied heights. Within these temples are statues of the Buddha in various poses. There are also rock murals that are quite fascinating to decipher as they show sinners relishing the pleasures of earth only to suffer eternal damnation in the afterlife. About 206 metres from the base of the rock at the summit is a small 'dagoba' and making the endeavour to reach the top is well worth it for the stunning birds eye views of the surrounding area. This place has housed temples for over 2,000 years and is one of the most popular historic sites in the region.
Goyambokka is just one of the lovely little be beaches Tangalle is home to; little sandy coves and a rolling surf make this one of the best chill out spots in the town. For days when you are not lazing around Tangalle consider day trips. Since Tangalle is just 1 hour from the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Galle, excursions to the area are quite popular; especially since there are plenty of things to do in Galle Sri Lanka. There you may visit the Old Dutch Fort, cycle deep into the villages and explore historic colonial relics.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
