Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Whiskey Point
Whiskey Point is a three-minute beach walk from Pottuvil Point but further by road. The
point's good for beginners, and the waves are consistent from late April on.
SaBaBa Surf
Café
( 077 711 8132;mains Rs 350-900; 7am-10pm)
is a gorgeous space to hang out, with
cushioned seating around its huge wooden deck, great grub, beds on the beach and regular
parties in surf season (usually Wednesdays and Fridays) with DJs playing full-on house
and electronica till dawn (and beyond). If you like the scene so much you want to stay, you
can do so at one of the attractive thatched bungalows in the neighbouring
Whiskey Bay
set up for surfers, with boards available for hire.
Three-wheelers charge around Rs 1500 return, including three hours' waiting, from
Arugam Bay (a 20-minute trip).
WORTH A TRIP
MAGUL MAHA VIHARA & AROUND
Magul Maha Vihara
RUINS
About 12km west of Pottuvil lies this evocative 5th-century-BC ruin, set in a peaceful for-
ested spot. Built by King Dhatusena (473-453 BC), the site was probably part of a royal
compound. At the foot of a former shrine is a beautiful and well-preserved moonstone;
ringed with elephants, it's unusual for having little riders atop some of them. The site is
1km south of the A4 between the 308 Km and 309 Km posts.
There's also an elevated stupa, in good condition and guarded by stone lions, avatad-
age(circular relic house) on a cross-shaped platform that - in a stroke of ancient trompe
l'oeil - is 'supported' by the stone pillars and crouched lions around its base, and a
crudely patched up headless Buddha. Note the streamlined elephant-trunk railings along
the site's staircases.
A little further west, between the 309 Km and 310 Km posts is Kotawehera, the ruined
remains of an ancient brick stupa, which enjoys a magnificent situation upon a hilltop. On
a clear day there are spectacular vistas over forests to the wetlands around Pottuvil La-
goon.
