Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Along this part of the coast you will see
stilt fishermen
perching precariously like
storks above the waves at high tide. Each fisherman has a pole firmly embedded in the sea
bottom, close to the shore, on which they perch and cast their lines. Stilt positions are
passed down from father to son and are highly coveted. You'll be amazed at how fast they
can get off those stilts and run up to you for payment if you even vaguely wave a camera
in their direction.
Sights & Activities
Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum
MUSEUM
(off Galle-Matara Rd;admission Rs 200; 9am-5pm)
This surprisingly interesting museum includes the house where respected Sinhalese author
Martin Wickramasinghe (1890-1976) was born. The exhibits are well displayed, with in-
formation in English. Among them is a good section on dance (including costumes and in-
struments), puppets,
kolam
(masked dance-drama) masks (including one of a very sun-
burnt British officer), kitchen utensils and carriages. Don't miss the kitchen goods, includ-
ing the multipurpose 'mill stone'. Look for the turn near the 131km marker, across from the
Fortress Hotel.
The bookshop sells Wickramasinghe's works, which are lauded for their exploration of
local cultures and the roots of all the people on the island.
Koggala Lake
LAKE
Next to the road, Koggala Lake is alive with birdlife and dotted with islands, one of which
features a Buddhist temple that attracts many visitors on
poya
(full moon) days and anoth-
er that contains an interesting cinnamon plantation.
You can take a 90-minute
boat tour
of the lake and islands for about Rs 4000 in a four-
passenger motor boat. Besides the main sights, you'll stop at a small island village and see
a lot of birds (hawks, herons, egrets etc). Look for the Bird Island Boat Tours sign just east
of the 132km marker.
Kataluwa Purwarama Temple
BUDDHIST
Rarely crowded, this feels like the temple time forgot. Dating from the 13th century, it has
some recently restored murals, including some large ones depicting foreigners in flowing
