Sri Lanka is a beautiful little island to the south of India with a diverse collection of attractions to keep you entertained. From sandy white beaches all along the coast, diving, surfing and snorkelling to white water rafting and mountain climbing in the hills to more cultural and historical destinations of ancient palaces, moats and temples, wherever one goes there is always something to visit and explore.
For those seeking a serene and secluded getaway off the beaten path is the fishing village of Marawila. Situated on the west coast north of Colombo and within a few kilometres of the Bandaranayke International Airport Marawila is a popular tourist destination. Untouched by the industrial world and largely unpopulated, the beaches are all yours for the taking. Laze out on the white sand while letting the cool waves roll over you and be pampered by the warm rays of the sun.
Mingle with the local fisher people and have a firsthand insight on their daily lives, the triumphs and trials they face at sea and the spicy delicious home cooked cuisines of dried fish, pol sambol (dish made of spices and scraped coconut) and red rice, an absolute delicacy, as they welcome you into their small thatched huts with bright, warm smiles and open arms. Watch as the sun comes up hundreds of fishermen line up on the beach and their chocolate brown toned muscles work to a synchronized beat as they pull in the catch from the previous night. Lend them a hand and you are sure to be repaid for your kindness with a juicy fresh fish just off the water. The fish are then taken to the market and the excess fish is dried in the sun on the sand, an age old method of food preservation. Make sure to visit the fishing village and talk to the village folk for a few rare and beautiful scenes that will change your perspective on the community of Marawila.
To break the monotony visit the Wilpattu National Park, a reservation teeming with wildlife and a paradise for bird watches. For a bit of shopping one can visit a small village adjoining Marawila called Mahawewa for beautiful batik dresses, sarongs, and wall hangers and much more at a much cheaper price than those you find in the city.
There are hundreds of Beach Hotels Sri Lanka all along the coast of the island. After a busy day of sightseeing come relax at Club Palm Bay Marawila, a luxury hotel among the Marawila Hotels with its own family lagoon to enjoy in.
