Leaving Habarana
We left our Habarana base where we’d stayed for 2 nights and headed for the strategically important Naval port of Trincomolee on the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. We both loved Habarana for its easy access to Sigiriya rock, the accommodation we stayed in (Cinnamon Lodge), and the natural beauty of our surroundings and the village. I also managed to replace my lost sapphire pendant with another from a local gem seller.
Poya day
Today is a Poya day (fasting day), which is the name given to the day of the full moon which is important to Buddhists around the world. Sri Lanka has made every Poya day a civil and bank holiday and followers visit temples for religious observances. Many shops are closed and the sale of alcohol and meat is forbidden.
The long road
The long road from Habarana to Trincomolee is a good one and has been upgraded within the last 10 years. There was little traffic, probably because it was bank holiday. The main sites on our walk were sparsely populated roadside stalls selling buffalo curd in small terracotta pots. Beyond the road in every direction were vast expanses of farming and agriculture. For about half of the journey we walked alongside Kantale Tank, a huge ancient man-made reservoir providing the core irrigation for this vast and remote region.
Trincomolee
Trincomolee town feels very different from other towns we’ve visited in Sri Lanka. It’s primarily a Hindu-Tamil populated area rather than Sinhalese so kovils dominate rather than Buddhist temples. As it’s on the Indian Ocean, the daily catches of fish hang drying outside roadside shops. Wild but friendly spotted deer wander all around. There is a beautifully maintained war cemetery for those Sri Lankan soldiers who lost their lives in WW2 fighting on the side of the British.
Koneswaram Kovil is a key feature of Trincomolee and a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre; the most sacred in Sri Lanka for Hindus. Earliest records are from the 6th century BC.
If interested is some historical information about the Kovil and on Tricomolee dock then click here.
Nilaveli
We’re staying at a beach resort in Nilaveli, just up the coast from Trincomolee. Pigeon Island National Park is just half a kilometre’s boat ride from our resort. Known for its whale and dolphin watching, diving and snorkelling, it’s a beautiful spot to conclude our long walk across Sri Lanka.
Next up: A relaxing day on the beach – boat trip, snorkelling, reading, blogging and chilling.
If you missed our last blog about Habarana village and an amazing local recipe for you to try then scroll below.
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