Galle, an old colonial city with a quiet charm
As you walk through the ramparts of this walled city, you will be taken on a journey through Sri Lankan history. In ancient times, Galle already existed but was known as Gimhathitha. The exact origin of the name is still unknown. According to historians, it is most likely related to the Sinhalese word for “port by the river Gin”. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to land on this coast in 1505. They then had one ambition: to establish a trading post in the territory, which was baptised Ceylon. To protect themselves from other settlers, they built city walls and three bastions. Despite these fortifications, the Dutch captured the city in 1640 and turned it into an even more powerful fortress. Its colonial past echoes the events of European history and has left its mark on the architecture of Galle. 

Just by taking a stroll through its narrow streets, you will be able to admire the unusual but charming mix of European urbanism and South Asian traditions. The old Dutch houses still line the cobbled streets. Some of them have now been turned into shops or restaurants, and if you take a peek inside, you’ll be able to see their traditional structure. The mix of religious buildings adds to the beauty of the city. St. Mary's Cathedral, built at the end of the 19th century by the first bishop of Galle, is a striking shade of blue. A little further on, a Buddhist temple and a sparkling white mosque welcome their congregations. The view of the sea from the ramparts is simply breath-taking. A walk along the old fortress walls leads you to the lighthouse, surrounded by palm trees. With such a heavenly panorama, it's no surprise it’s such a popular photo spot among tourists. 

While the rest of the country is a hub of hustle and bustle, car horns blaring, reflecting the buzzing vitality of the island, Galle is a beautiful and peaceful interlude. It's a nice, calm base to return to each evening after a day of exploring and the perfect spot to recharge your batteries before enjoying the day ahead. 

Negombo : an ocean heritage

In this island country, the ocean has a special importance. A visit to Negombo gives you an idea of just how crucial a part of Sri Lankan life it is. Between the lagoon and the sea, it is a fisherman's town. This tradition goes back generations and has even found its way into today’s maritime language. Two Tamil words 'kattu' (link) and 'maram' (tree) refer to the typical Sri Lankan boats made of ropes and logs. Today, these early ancestors of catamarans can still be seen out on the water. Every day they are sailed around the lagoon in the hope of returning with baskets full of shrimp, crabs, lobsters and other fish. This precious bounty is then sold at the early morning fish auction or dried on the beach. The Negombo fish market is the second largest in the country.

Here, just like everywhere else, the mix of religions has shaped the architecture of the city. Negombo is even nicknamed “Little Rome” due to the particularly strong presence of the Catholic community. This side to its character can be seen in the many churches dotted around the streets. One example is the church of St. Mary, whose pale pink walls contrast with the shimmering colours of the paintings in the nave. Other legacies of the colonial past are the Hamilton Canal and the Dutch Fort, built by the Dutch colonists. 

As the sun sets, the long beach is the best place to enjoy the view. This is a perfect way to savour the moment and is also a great place to plan the next part of your journey. It is easy to explore the surrounding area from the village in a rented tuk tuk or by taking the railway line along the coast. But it is also possible to discover some hidden underwater treasures, just like this wreck of a cargo ship that sunk during the Second World War, which is now inhabited by shoals of multicoloured fish. Located only a few kilometres from the airport, this town, known as Migamuwa in Sinhalese, is the perfect place to set down your bags. This is a nice, peaceful stop to immerse yourself in the country's culture and take your first steps along the island's 1,340 kilometres of coastline.