Leaving the ancient cities
Having had a few days exploring the ancient and ruined sites of Polonnarawa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Anuradhapura, I’ll be heading east again. This time though it’ll be further north up the coast towards Trincomalee.
Habarana
But before that, and along the way, I’ll stop to visit the elephants at Habarana as seeing too many of these amazing beasts is not possible. Habarana is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations for safari lovers. With a population of only around 7000, it’s now said to have some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka, including guest tree houses.
Sir James Emerson Tennant, who was the colonial secretary of Ceylon in the mid 19th century, travelled widely across the island and wrote extensively about it in his book: ‘Ceylon: An account of the island, physical, historical, and topographical with notices of its natural history, antiquities and productions’. Poetically, he describes Trincomalee as ‘presenting to the eye a scene of singular beauty. Landlocked, and still as an inland lake, its broad expanse of waters, its immense beautiful islands, and its rocky headlands, together with the woody acclivities in its vicinity, and towering mountains in the distance, combine to form an oriental Windermere.’
Trincomalee
Your age and background may partially determine what image is conjured up for you, if any, at the mention of Trincomalee. Trinco, as it’s affectionately called, was heavily bombed by the Japanese during WW2 so if you were around then you may remember it for that. You may have heard of its strategically advantageous position within the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean, or of its significance as a key and ancient trading port. Or, perhaps for being one of the largest natural deep harbours in the world, including its maritime significance and incredible ammunition tunnels.
If you’re a baby boomer you may recall Trincomalee being in the national news, especially in the 1980s, as one of the key battleground areas during the 25 year Sri Lankan civil war (1983-2009). It was out of bounds to tourists between those years and even in recent years the north east coastal areas are generally off limits, with Trincomalee considered to be the final outpost for tourists.
Koneswaran Kovil
However, apart from all of this, Trincomalee is perhaps still best known for its religious associations and particularly as a key Tamil place of pilgrimage. The Koneswaram Kovil (Hindu Temple) built on Swarmy Rock over 2000 years ago, is the place to which Hindu devotees still flock.
Before I started visiting Sri Lanka I hadn’t heard of Trincomalee, nor about any association with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). Since the Sri Lankan civil war ended 12 years ago, and post the clear up operation of the devastating effects of the 2004 Tsunami, Trincomalee has found its place on the tourist map. It’s now become popular for whale-watching, surfing and scuba-diving. Its new beach hotels now merge with the faded colonial buildings and vibrant kovils. I’m hoping this will still be very much on the visiting map when I get there around end of December 2021/January 2022 if Covid permits!
I’d be very interested to hear your views on this leg – please post in the comments box below.
Next up – Leg 6 – Up the north east coast ‘road’ from Trincomalee to Mullaitivu – the place of the final defeat by the Sri Lankan army of the LTTE, one of the world’s most committed, effective and ruthless militant organisations which brought an end to the very bloody civil war.
Previous blog – Spotlight on Polonnaruwa
[…] If interested is some historical information about the Kovil and on Tricomolee dock then click here. […]
[…] Leg 5 – Polonnaruwa to Trincomolee via Habarana – approx 130km […]
Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your weblog.
You have some really great posts and I think I would
be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Regards!
Thanks for finally talking about >Leg 5 – Polonnaruwa to
Trincomolee via Habarana – approx 130km | Marciatrekssrilanka <Loved it!
Informative article, exactly what I wanted to find.
I got this site from my friend who shared with me concerning this web site and now this
time I am browsing this site and reading very informative articles or
reviews at this time.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog
and definitely will come back from now on. I want to encourage one to
continue your great work, have a nice weekend!
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest
blogs on the net. I most certainly will highly recommend this web site!
I was more than happy to discover this web site. I want to to thank you for ones
time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every
bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff on your blog.
We absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your
post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.
Does one offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning here.
Again, awesome website!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Travel. Regards
In BJ, Craps, or Baccarat, if you play a lot more than 5 losing
hands in a row, you are becoming really stupid.
Good post! We are linking to this great article on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
I am actually thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this wonderful piece of writing at
at this place.
Hi! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and
look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
This design is spectacular! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to
start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how
you presented it. Too cool!
Hi – yes of course no problem. Thanks for sharing your blog page
I have been surfing online more than 2 hours today,
yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough
for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more
useful than ever before.
Appreciating the dedication you put into your website and in depth information you offer.
It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t
the same old rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Here is my page :: case vacanza Costa Rei
Great post, you have pointed out some superb points, I also conceive this is
a very fantastic website.
Review my webpage: IconaGlow
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for
my mission.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the highest
quality blogs online. I’m going to recommend this site!
What’s up, of course this post is in fact pleasant and I have learned lot of things from
it regarding blogging. thanks.
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and
would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
Nice blog here! Also your web site a lot up very fast!
I desire myy site loaded up as quickly as yours…
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful
and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other
customers like its helped me. Great job.
I eed to to thank you for this fantastic read!!
I definitely enjoyed every bit of it.I have got you book-marked to
look at new things you post…
I enjoy reading through your website. Thanks!
Your mode of describing alll in this piece of writing iis in fact pleasant,
all be capable of simply bee aware of it, Thanks a lot.
Hello all, here every person iis sharing such know-how, soo
it’s pleaasant to read this website, and I
used to go to see this website daily.
Thank you
Heello there! Would you mind if I share your blog wit my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.Please let me know.
Thanks!
Great post! We will be linking to this great
post on our website. Keep up the great writing.
Thank you
Great post! We will be linking tto thios great post on our website.
Keep upp the great writing.
Excellent post. I wwas checking continuiusly
this blog and I aam impressed! Extremely useful information.
I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time.Thank yoou and
good luck.
Thank you – I’m glad you found it useful. Which parts did you find most helpful?
I enjoy what you guys are usually uup too. This type of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the verty good works guys I’ve added you guys to my own video.
Oh please let me see the video – would love that
I got this site from my pal who shared with me concerning this websiite and now this time I amm browsing
thnis website and reading veryy informative articles
or reviews at this place.
Thank you for reading it – glad you are finding it informative
Wow, amazing blog layout! Hoow long have you been blogging
for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look oof your web site is excellent,as well as the
content.
I am pleased that I detected this web blog, just the right information that I waas searching for!
That’s great to hear. How did you find me?
Hello there! Would you mind iif I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people tyat I think woould really appreciate your content.Please let me know.
Thanks!
Yes that’s fine for you to do that. I’m pleased you like it.
I need to to thank you for this fawntastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every
bitt of it.I have got you book-marked to look at new things you post…
Thank you – I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it.
I lioke it whenever people come together and shaare
thoughts.Great website, continue the good work!
Thank you for your comment
Please kkeep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing…
Would love to perpetually get updated outstannding
web blog!
Thank you Ludie
You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites online.
I will recommend this site!
Great looking website. Assume you ddid a great deal of your very
own coding.
Thank you – yes I built the website myself following completing a course in web building
I enjoy reading through your website. Thanks!
With thanks for sharing your superb website!
Thank you Vicki – I hope you are enjoying the content.
Nice post. I was checking continuouslyy this blog and I’m impressed!
Very useful informaion specially the last part 🙂 I care
for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time.
Thank you aand best oof luck.
Thank you for your feedback Sheila – much appreciated
Hello! Do you usse Twitter? I’d like to follow youu if thatt would be okay.
I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward too new articles.
Hi – thank you for your comment. I don’t use Twitter but I do use Facebook and Instagram – the address is marciatrekssrilanka on both
Hello! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written aand come with approximately all
important infos. I’d like to look extra posts like this!
🙂
Thanks for your comment – if you go to my blog site you can see several more blog posts along similar lines.
[…] on previous Leg 5 – Polonnaruwa to Trincomolee via […]