From Galle we headed along the south coast. We spent one night at Polhena Beach, near the town of Matara.
The drive to Polhena Beach from Galle was interesting. The first part was on a highway, and then through the town of Matara. The towns have this colourful chaotic look: narrow streets with the sides packed with irregularly spaced shops up and down, covered with colourful signs.
To get the hotel near Polhena Beach from the town, however, involved navigating a maze of dirt roads and the driver wasn't familiar with the area. We used the GPS on our phones but the limited accuracy only got us so far. There were no signs at any of the intersections, and no direction signs to the beach or the hotels. Eventually we called the hotel and let them direct the driver there. Even with that, we passed the hotel a couple of times before finding it.
It is the start of low season on the south coast now so it is very quiet. It looked like we were the only ones in the hotel. After settling in we walked to the small beach and up the road, and stopped for a snack and a drink at a small restaurant. The restaurant was open to the ocean with a great view. There were poles standing up in the water with little thin platforms, which are used by fishermen.
The drive to Polhena Beach from Galle was interesting. The first part was on a highway, and then through the town of Matara. The towns have this colourful chaotic look: narrow streets with the sides packed with irregularly spaced shops up and down, covered with colourful signs.
To get the hotel near Polhena Beach from the town, however, involved navigating a maze of dirt roads and the driver wasn't familiar with the area. We used the GPS on our phones but the limited accuracy only got us so far. There were no signs at any of the intersections, and no direction signs to the beach or the hotels. Eventually we called the hotel and let them direct the driver there. Even with that, we passed the hotel a couple of times before finding it.
It is the start of low season on the south coast now so it is very quiet. It looked like we were the only ones in the hotel. After settling in we walked to the small beach and up the road, and stopped for a snack and a drink at a small restaurant. The restaurant was open to the ocean with a great view. There were poles standing up in the water with little thin platforms, which are used by fishermen.
In the morning we got up early, borrowed snorkeling masks from the hotel, and went to beach. This is the time that sea turtles come close to shore, and you can see them in the shallow water. There were a few people out.
We went into the water and it wasn't long before we saw large leatherback sea turtles a few feet beneath us. Even if we stood up in the water, they didn't scare away. Just kept feeding on the floor. Very cool. Once I stood up and one bumped into me.
We stayed for an hour or so and then went back to the hotel for breakfast. Then caught our ride to our next stop.
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