Last stop of the tour we stay at Galle, at the south western tip of the island. We stayed at Bartizan Hotel, west facing with a roof top terrace and 3 room with sea view.
A vibrant history of being colonised by various European countries started with Dutch and ends with British for its strategic location for sea trade, and weather for coffee, tea and spices plantations.
A strong fortification was built by the Dutch that lasted until now, defining the old part of Galle. This helps to keep the unique spirit inside, large colonial buildings with courtyards and big trees, very charming.
It is worth spending time to wander around all the streets to admire the old buildings, a lot converted to museums, restaurants and hotels. And then on top of the fortification wall. People tends to gather around the west side to wait for the magnificent sunset every evening.
It
is the only city we stayed in our tour and have to say find it busy with
motorbikes, tuk tuk, and crowded with tourists, also the only place
where we see rubbish here and there, a city problem.
An hour away in the hill is Handunugoda organic tea plantation, producing Herman tea.
It is a low altitude tea plantation, and there are mix planting of tall trees to provide shade, to keep tea plants cooler.
We
joined a guided tour that offered very informative explanations on
production, harvest and the processed to transform Camellia Sinensis to
white, green and black tea.
At the end there is tasting of all
the varieties of teas they produce, from pure tea leaves to mix with
herbs and spices. A valuable experience, one that encourages me to look
for seeds and try to grow my own tea bushes and tea making, for own
consumption and for fun.
The veg fruit and fish market outside Galle old town is pretty big, with a lot of varieties to choose from.
A lot of restaurants to choose in Galle but most memorable is the dinner at Arch restaurant and afternoon tea at Amangala hotel, beautiful atmosphere.
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