Joanna James
The East Coast of the island will never fail to keep you amused. Here is a list of things to do in Passikudah, one of the best beaches in the country.
If you're a nature lover, you are going to love Passikudah. The beaches and sunsets are appealing, but what's underneath is magnificent. The coral reefs at the bay are the best of the East Coast. The bay is suggested as a marine sanctuary by the NARA. You can find fringes of the reef at the outer part of the Bay. Within the reef, there are more scattered communities of coral. What's best about the Passikudah bay is that you don't have to dive deep to watch the reefs. The corals are in the shallow waters so it's easy to watch them.
The sea at Passikudah is ideal for many aquatic sports including surfing. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are popular on the East coast. If you're a pro or an amateur, that shouldn't matter. There are plenty of surf schools in Passikudah. Beach hotels the likes of Anantaya Resorts & Spa Passikudah will guide you in finding one. The beautiful coast and the thrill of adventure just invite the good times to roll!
The Batticaloa Lagoon is home for islands such as Buffalo Island, Bone Island and Puliyantheevu. Once you get there, you will see there are many bridges that connect the islands to each other and the motherland as well. The Lady Manning Bridge at Kallady is the largest bridge of all. Visit the Kallady bridge to hear the infamous singing fish. If you visit Passikudah between April and the latter of September, you will hear a low-pitched hum coming from the sea. These musical vibrations are the work of the singing fish. You can hear them better if you're on a boat. Press your ear to the oar or a walking stick dipped into the water.
The Rock Fortress, aka, Sigiriya is a palace complex built in during 480AD by King Kasyapa. It is also considered as the 8th wonder of the world by some. The frescos found on the walls of the rock are world renowned. The complex is known as one of the most imaginative and elaborate city planning sites of the first millennium.
Between the months of March and August, the East Coast of Sri Lanka becomes the best spot to watch Sperm whales, Blue whales and Spinner dolphins. Trincomalee is gaining popularity fast for being one of the best places to watch these beautiful creatures.
The Minneriya National Park is only 1 hour and 30 mins away from Passikudah. The park is one of the places you must visit if you're a nature lover. Elephants, leopards, toque macaques (endemic to Sri Lanka) and sambar deer are the highlights of the park. The elephant gathering at Minneriya is included in the list of "10 greatest wildlife spectaculars" by Lonely Planet.
Polonnaruwa is 80km from Passikudah and it will take you around 1 hour to travel there. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a part of the cultural triangle of the island. The relics you find there are more than 2500 years old. The large stone statues, parks, shrines and other sacred places make the city a beautiful ancient kingdom. Fun fact about Polonnaruwa: The ruins and relics was the backdrop for the music video of Duran Duran by Save a Prayer in the 80's.
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.
