Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tellippalai via Chunnakam (for Thurkkai Amman Kovil, Kantarodai, Keerimalai
spring; 769)
Rs 36, every 30 minutes
CAR & MOTORBIKE
Many travellers prefer the freedom of renting a motorbike or car to explore the peninsula
and islands. Traffic is light and roads are now in good condition. Scooters cost Rs 1500 per
day (excluding petrol), a car with driver around Rs 6000 per day. Most guesthouses and
hotels can arrange bike and car hire.
Getting Around
Jaffna is not a large city and the central area is easily explored on foot or by bicycle (Rs
250 per day from guesthouses).
Few travellers bother with city buses (Rs 8) but you can take bus 769 for the Chun-
dukuli district or bus 750 for the Nallur via Point Pedro Rd. Buses are much safer - in
terms of both groping and theft - and less crowded than minibuses.
Three-wheelers are very common and cost Rs 150 to 250 for most trips. At night, locals
recommend calling one (or having someone call one for you) for security reasons. Recom-
mended drivers include
Baskar
( 077 921 8122)
and
Suman
( 077 079 0317)
.
Jaffna Peninsula
021
Once you get beyond Jaffna's already rustic outer boroughs, you're plunged into fields of
palmyra palms, technicolor temples, holy springs and miles of coastline. Few of the sights
are individually outstanding, but together they make an interesting day trip or two, espe-
cially if you hire your own transport.
There's a distinctly eerie vibe to much of the peninsula, which was fought over for dec-
ades during the war. You'll pass shelled buildings and long-abandoned houses left roofless,
with nature reclaiming the terrain as trees, roots and shoots overwhelming the ruins. Unex-
ploded ordnance has been cleared from most parts, but some undoubtedly remains and
you'll pass (marked) minefields on many roads. Never stray from roads and tracks, and
avoid deserted beaches too.
