Optional Tour to Colombo, Sri Lanka
April 24-25, 2013
Exclusive Program 2 Days | 1 Night
Pricing: $999/couple plus $49 taxes/gratuities per person
Escorted by Sanjay Goel, President of CMEatSEA and Cruise Connections Canada
Day 1
- Disembark the ship from the port of Colombo
You will disembark the ship from the port of Colombo and take a coach trip in Sri Lanka’s first and only highway to the city of Galle, the southern part of Sri Lanka, During your two hour journey from Colombo to Galle you will enjoy the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka’s rich agriculture / rural villages / Temples etc.
Point de Galle is a city located in South-Western Sri Lanka, capital of Southern Province. A seaport bordering a tea-growing region, Galle exports rubber, tea, rope, coconut oil, and coir (coconut fiber). Galle was an important commercial port beginning in the 16th century, when much of Sri Lanka was occupied by Portugal, and later under the Dutch. Following the improvement of the port of Colombo by the British during the 19th century, the prosperity of Galle declined Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island.
Galle is the main city in the most southerly part of the island, with a population of around 100,000.
STILT FISHERMAN
On arrival to Galle your first attraction is the sight of Sri Lanka’s unique stilt fishermen from the Southern coastal town.
Stilt fishing is a unique way of fishing and can be seen in the southern coastal town in Galle, Unawatuna, Koggala, and Weligama. Fishermen who sit on small benches on poles stuck into the water a few meters offshore and fish for small reef fish called ‘Bollu’ and ‘Koramburuwo’.
Stilt fishing is a tradition that only about 500 fishing families in the southwestern-most Sri Lankan district of Galle practice. Though no one knows exactly how and when the tradition started, some of the older fishermen recall that stilt fishing was started after the Second World War by some inventive fishermen. Fishing at the time was done from rocks protruding above the ocean surface. As not enough of these rocks were available for all fishermen, some used iron poles left over from the war and planted them into the reef. But even these iron poles were scarce, so the fishermen soon discovered that even wooden poles were strong enough to be planted into the reef and thus, stilt fishing in today’s form was born.
Many ask “why don’t they use nets?” When fishing with nets, the fish get disturbed and may disappear, not to return for sometimes years, which means finding new fishing grounds further out. Stilt fishing is very unobtrusive and banks on the fact that the less the fish get disturbed, the longer they will stay. So the fishermen wait patiently on their stilts, holding the line with the hook but no bait, just attracting the fish by constant movement.
HANDUNUGODA VIRGIN TEA FACTORY
Your next visit will be to the unique Virgin Tea Factory, Handunugoda Tea Estate famous for its Virgin White Tea.
Virgin White Tea was first produced in imperial China to an exacting recipe which ensured that the only part of the human anatomy which came in to contact with the tea was the emperor’s lips. The tender most buds of the tea leaves were picked by supposedly virgin maidens using golden scissors and collected in golden bowls to be later processed meticulously.
While white tea is no longer produced in modern-day China. This small tea plantation 30 minutes off the coastal town of Galle is delicately recreating “White Tea”. You will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Gunaratne, a veteran in the tea industry and the owner of the plantation who ensures that every detail is emulated exactly as per legend but jokingly states that the only aspect that is not guaranteed is the virginity of the tea pluckers. Walk through the plantation and then take a tour of the factory and learn about the production of White Tea and several other exotic teas including hibiscus tea.
This unique tea estate is one of the lowest lying tea estates in Sri Lanka and also has rubber and cinnamon plantations.
A tour of the old workings of the factory will follow, where they still use the original English machinery. Thereafter, to the tasting room, to try a myriad of teas, including the unique ‘White Tea’ that they produce where you may also have the opportunity to purchase variety of tea products at the Tea Boutique.
Finally walk through the rolling hills of the tea estate, and a step back in time to tea and cakes on the verandah of the Planters bungalow, accompanied by the elegant stories of the planter himself.
Following the visit to the Tea Factory, you will arrive at the Lighthouse Hotel Galle for lunch.
After lunch there will bea brief city tour prior to the drive to Hotel Chaaya Tranz.
HOTEL CHAAYA TRANZ - HIKKADUWA
Located on the Southern shoreline of Sri Lanka is the district which offers a 24-hour party on the beach. Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa is built along the golden sands and calls out to all those who enjoy island-life and beach-life with a promise to pamper its guests with the Southern Sri Lankan hospitality.
The resort design was re-conceptualized to keep with the current reality of Hikkaduwa as an engaging and transformational seaside holiday. The hotel reflects the easy going, engaging style that could perhaps transport the holidaymaker into an alternate state of consciousness.
Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa has 150 rooms with magnificent views of the Indian Ocean. The resort offers an array of facilities including a swimming pool and Azmaara spa.
EVENING EVENTS
This evening will be a Seafood Gala dinner by the beach. All members of the group will be provided batik costumes to wear for this evening. (Sarong for men and beach raps for women). Dinner will be served in the landscaped gardens flanked by the Indian Ocean.
Day 2
Turtle Freeing
Freeing of Turtles to where they belong
There are five varieties of Sea Turtles found in Sri Lanka, namely Olive Ridley Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle and Leatherhead Turtle. The all major nesting habitats are located in the Galle District (Bentota, Induruwa, Kosgoda, Thibbattawa, Ahungalle, Balapitiya and Unawatuna) and Hambantota District (Rekawa, Wellodaya, Kahanda modara, Walawemodara and Yala).
The turtles are one of the rare species found in the world. Their heritage could be traced to more than 100 million years and they are s to have lived during the age of the Dinosaurs. But at present about 8 varieties of turtles are said to be existing. But due to the destroying of these turtles, there is a threat of these species being eradicated from our planet.
The turtles get together in certain areas of the ocean annually to mate. After mating the female turtles come to the sea shore to lay their eggs. They are supposed to lay eggs after they attain the age of about 30 years and they are said to lay their eggs on the sea shore at night. It is said that these turtles prefer to lay their eggs on the same beach they were born. The female turtles lay about 120 eggs at a time. Their eggs are white and are similar to Ping-Pong balls. The eggs are kept damp by the female turtle by emitting a juice to cover the eggs. After laying eggs these turtles go back to the ocean. They keep no connection with the eggs or their newborn turtles. The eggs are hatched with the help of the warm sand (heated by the rays of the sun). After about 60 days the eggs start cracking and new born turtles who are about 5cm long find their way to the ocean.
Between the months of January to May turtle nesting is at its peak and sighting is quite frequent, although nesting does occur during the rest of the year though not as frequent. You will have the life time opportunity of releasing these turtles to the sea… where they belong.
After releasing the turtles to the sea, you will have breakfast before leaving for a boat safari of Madu Ganga.
Madu Ganga
Madu Ganga – (River). Between Colombo and Galle there exists a beautiful river called Madu Ganga in Balapitiya which offers a glimpse of how it has become a part of the life of the people in the area. In the outset Madu Ganga is considered as Sri Lanka's second largest wetland consisting of 28 islands including two main islands providing shelter to 215 families.
Over the past generations Madu Ganga has played an important role in providing food and shelter and of course providing easy access to the main land via small wooden boats.
During the pre-colonization period Madu ganga was used as one of the main water ways connecting cities and ancient Sinhala Kingdoms. The main treasure of Madu Ganga is its mangroves that act as a bio-lock to the area in giving protection to the variety of aquatic plants and animal life. They provide a home for different kinds of aquatic plants, crabs, shrimps, fish, various invertebrates and other animal life including crocodiles.
According to villagers the main secret of the Madu Ganga is the tide. On any given day during the low tide the sea water comes inland and mixes with fresh water and in the evening it is the other way around - the magic of nature.
Villagers say that many generations ago, the Madu Ganga flowed by peaceful villages. People had a very basic life style and everything was fulfilled through Madu Ganga by means of agriculture and fishing. Strangely despite the rapid development in the country most people living in and around the Madu Ganga still engage in traditional methods of catching fish such as use of youth and other small nets. Shrimp farming is popular here and they use the traditional method of laying separators made out of bamboo. In the night the fishermen light kerosene lamps and place it in a trap box. According to fishermen the shrimp follow the light of the lamp and get trapped in the box. Today shrimp farming has become a good source of income, but is a dying profession in Madu Ganga.
During your Boat safari you will get the opportunity of visiting the famous “Kothduwa Temple” a Buddhist Temple in one of the island of Madhu ganga, A cinnamon Plantation, and remote village school.
Following the boat safari, the group will be transferred back to the port of Colombo.
** PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary, hotels, restaurants and tours are subject to change.