Lucie Aurore
Ahungalla is your typical beachside resort town in Sri Lanka. Framed by a beautiful stretch of beach that is lapped by the Indian Ocean the town offers some very interesting experiences.
Shopping in Ahungalla is very relaxing. Do not expect the normal hustle and bustle of huge shopping malls; instead you will be greeted by informal little roadside stands and friendly vendors. The little stalls sell many trinkets including vegetables and a wide variety of tropical fruits – which are a must try when in Sri Lanka.
There are also roadside kiosks selling colourful wooden masks, many of the masks resemble ancient deities or demons from village folklore. They are also a symbol of warding off the evil eye. And make fabulous souvenirs or gifts. Savour the culture as you browse these handicraft boutiques and admire the talents passed down from generations.
The closest moonstone quarry to visit when in Ahungalla is the one in Meetiyagoda. Moonstones are pale blue translucent gemstones that are also known as Adularia. The stones are known to shimmer and radiate a myriad of colours when it's moved. Visit Meetiyagoda and you will see an age old practise in action. The mine shaft which is 10 meters deep is fortified with a sturdy coconut wood scaffold; which the miners use to climb down to the mine. The water there is extracted with a water pump but the mining or digging out of soil containing the stones is done by hand.
The buckets of soil sent to the surface are sifted for stones – around 50 to 100 unrefined moonstones are found daily; however not all are of retail quality. There is a factory next door where you can observe how the stones are cut polished and set in beautiful pieces of jewellery. Take along some cash in case you want to buy the beautiful pieces. Jewellery inlaid with tourmaline, tiger eye, garnets and topaz too are available for purchase there.
Dining can be a fine gastronomic experience if you choose one of the luxury Ahungalla hotels. But if you want a local feel and love exploring check out the many restaurants located around the beach front and town, these offer a delicious blend of local and international cuisine. There's an Italian restaurant, European café, a deli and of course many local eateries that offer fresh seafood and tasty Sri Lankan Rice and curry.
Located between Bentota and Galle the Ahungalla beach is a huge stretch of golden sand. Look for a luxury beach resort in Ahungalla and you can wake up to gorgeous sunrises and look forward to chilling out on the beach. Swim to your hearts content, soak up the golden sunshine and enjoy the tropical vibes on the beach. Located there is the Heritance Ahungalla.
Tuk Tuk's are the motorised three wheel vehicles that one can see zipping around Sri Lanka. There are plenty to hire in Ahungalla and are an exciting and economical way of exploring the sleepy hamlet. You may want to consider the less than 2 km drive to Kosgoda, a town well known for its turtle population. There are many turtle hatcheries in Kosgoda where guided tours and a chance to witness the turtle cycle of life are available.
