Joanna James
Ahungalla is part of the Galle district located on the south coast of Sri Lanka. The place is a laidback village for chilling and enjoying the charms of a coastal rural atmosphere while big cities like Galle are easy to access. Here are the best things to do in Ahungalla.
The waters surrounding Ahungalla Beach are shallow and warm making it an ideal oasis for both the elderly and children to enjoy. The beach itself is broad, sandy and very clean with plenty of coconut trees to offer one a shady spot to enjoy a siesta, read a book or simply chill. Due to this factor, hotels in Ahungalla are in high demand fortheir tranquil allures; many like Heritance Ahungalla located along the beautifully holistic Ahungalla Beach offer one a chance to savour the best attractions of the sleepy village.
The south coast of Sri Lanka is home to a number of turtle hatcheries intent on preserving and increasing the numbers of the prehistoric marine animal. From your resort in Ahungalla, it's easy to visit a turtle hatchery where you can see how the collected eggs are carefully incubated and released once hatched. It's possible to join a release programme where under the light of the silvery moon the baby turtles are given safe passage back to the sea.
Your Ahungalla hotel may already organise river safaris on the Madu Ganga; if not ask for recommendations of a tour operator. The Madu River tour is very insightful and perfect for the nature buff to experience, the tropical estuary is home to mangrove forests forming rustic little tunnels through which the boats glide, while sly monitor lizards will stealthily slide into the water from the shores lined with lush foliage. The river with little islets some are home to cinnamon plantations where you can purchase the freshly rolled sticks and even the sweet smelling cinnamon oil.
Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa were two of the islands prominent architects and landscaping artists. Brief Gardens was designed by the latter when he turned their ancestral home in Bentota into an enchanting haven. Today the estate of the late brothers is under the care of trust and open for public viewing. The garden tapers down to the river with wide expansive lawns giving way to secret nooks, a Japanese garden, curious and rather shocking statues, as well as, the clever use of tropical foliage to create a rainforest effect. You can have tea inside the vintage bungalow and spend a leisurely day under sunny skies.
Ambalangoda too is a town on the south coast located close to Ahungalla; the area is most famous for its artisans who produce wooden masks. The exotic creations are used in many traditional rituals such as exorcisms, with each colourfully depicted face representing a deity or cheeky demon. Visit the Ambalangoda Mask Museum where on display are centuries old masks handed down over the generations; .
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
