Andrew's Travels

Andrew's Travels

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RHS Gardens Traveler
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon
June 19, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
The house at Rosemoor (originally Rowe's Moor) was bequeathed to Lady Anne Berry by her father in 1931, and she created the original garden around the house in 1959; it was noted for rare and unusual plants (and is still very much a "plants woman’s" area). In 1988, Lady Palmer (as she then was) gave the garden to the RHS along with extra land, which has now been developed into the Formal Gardens area.

Starting from Lady Anne's Garden, we wander through the exotic garden and stone garden to view the temperate house; then it is a nice walk through the arboretum, past the bog gardens and across the estate grass to double back past the play area and the stumpery.

From the newer Formal Garden, close to the entrance, we have a lovely walk through the Queen Mother's Rose Garden (modern roses), Model Garden, Winter Garden to the Cool Garden and Hot Garden (they are arranged symmetrically around the Long Border, a straight walk that bisects the Formal Garden); then we see the Shrub Rose Garden (old traditional roses), Herb Garden and Foliage Garden.

Leaving the Formal Garden area, there is a short walk to see the Lake, Orchard, and Fruit and Vegetable Garden.

There is much variety here; another fine visit to our third of five RHS Gardens in the UK.Read more
Wolfgang und HeidiI like „bequeathed“. That word is even for advanced German speakers a really challenge
6/22/23Reply
TravelerThanks. Mind you, some German words are hard to pronounce for those with some German!
6/22/23Reply
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Devon Traveler
Dartmoor; Okehampton / Belstone Circular
June 18, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Today, we go on another walk; it was from Pathfinder Guides' "Dartmoor Walks," a book at the apartment. Apparently, this northern part of Dartmoor contains the highest land in Southern England, and also some of its wildest and loneliest.

After visiting Okehampton Castle (see previous post), we joined the West Devon Way for a while, passing through woodland, and cross over the A30. There are views of Okehampton Army Camp as we walk over what was once Okehampton Park (used by the De Courtneys for hunting) on our way to Lower Hadstock Farm.

We now cross bleak moorland topped with granite tors to reach Cullever Steps, site of an ancient Ford. Heading south, we pass a ruined wall on Belstone Tor; this is the Irishmen's Wall, built in the 19th century to enclose areas of moor, but it was pulled down by locals as quickly as it was built. We turn left at Winter Tor and climb up to the Higher Tor Rocks, where there are great views of the area.

Then it's down to a stream and up through Belstone village and on to the Dartmoor Way path; under the A30, this time, and through Ball Hill Conservation Area bt the East Okemont River and back to Okehampton.

It's been about a 10-mile walk. That's enough for us when there is a lot of up and down!Read more
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Devon Traveler
Dartmoor; Okehampton
June 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We stayed at Okehampton, on the northern edge of Dartmoor, for the Lydford Gorge walk and the circular walk via Okehampton Castle, Lower Hadstock, and Belstone.

It is an interesting town to visit, and we had a quick look around the town centre before an excellent dinner at Brothers restaurant.

The next morning, we visited Okehampton Castle; it was founded after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle, guarding a crossing point over the West Okemont River. In the 13th century, the Earls of Devon owners (the De Courtneys) used it as a hunting lodge, but it went into decline in the 15th century after the Wars of the Roses. It is now managed by English Heritage. The ruins mainly comprise a 12th century keep and 14th-century domestic buildings and a chapel.Read more
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Devon Traveler
Dartmoor; Widecombe and Lydford Villages
June 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
This post covers two villages visited as we travelled between Haytor and Okehampton.

We visited Widecombe in the Moor after the Haytor circular walk; the village is very pretty and noted for its Church of St Pancras and its association with the old song "Widecombe Fair". The song is about a group of people travelling to the fair, including "Uncle Tom Cobley" - an expression that now relates to "anyone and everyone."

We visited Lydford after the Lydford Gorge walk; Lydford was originally an important town in medieval times as it was the most westerly burgh (fortified town) in Alfred the Great's Kingdom of Wessex. Its remoteness and changing times have caused a decline, but it is still very pretty and has relics of its past.Read more
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Devon Traveler
Dartmoor; Lydford Gorge
June 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Lydford Gorge is a steep sided River Gorge nestled on the Western edge of Dartmoor; it is owned by the National Trust. We pick up a leaflet at the NT kiosk and walk the "Lydford Gorge Trail."

We walk for about a mile along the top edge of the gorge and pass close to an old railway bridge before walking down to a bird hide. From here, it is back along the River Lyd to reach the 30m high, single drop Whitelady Waterfall. Then it's over a footbridge and along the narrow river path (hand rails) to reach Tunnel Falls; there are several small cascades before the footpath passes through a tunnel carved from the rock by Victorians (hence the name). We then walk on Devils Cauldron, named for the noise, and the many boulders washed down.

Then it's lunch before exploring Lydford Village and returning to Okehampton.Read more
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Devon Traveler
Dartmoor; Haytor/Houndtor Circular Walk
June 16, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We leave our accommodation in St Marychurch and drive to the next, in Okehampton, via southern Dartmoor, stopping at the Dartmoor National Park at Haytor. We are recommended an excellent walk with lots of variety - the Houndtor Circular Walk.

From here, we walk to Haytor Quarry, the largest of five in the area, all of which were linked by granite tramways; these continuous rails were built from 1820 to transport granite downhill to Stover Canal and then on to Teignmouth Docks. Next, we walked on to Smallacombe Tocks prehistoric settlement; these were round houses with conical roofs thatched with rush, gorse, etc.

It's downhill now to cross Becka Brook via a clapper bridge mafe from granite slabs. Then, uphill towards Houndtor medieval 13th century settlement, a small hamlet consisting of the remains of four farmsteads (longhouses) abandoned in the 14th century. We pass Hound Tor itself, and then Greattor as we head downhill to cross Becka Brook again and walk up Holywell spoil heap, the remains of another old quarry, and join the granite tramways again.

We then climb up to the Haytor Rocks, dating from the Devonian Period, enjoy our sandwiches, and walk downhill to the visitor centre. It has been an excellent walk.Read more
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Devon Traveler
Coleton Fishacre and Compton Castle
June 15, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Today, we visit two National Trust properties in this part of Devon.

The first, Coleton Fishacre, is near Kingswear and is an old country house in the 1920s Jazz Age Art-Deco style of that time. It was built 1923-26 for the D'Oyly Carte family, and the interior is very interesting. Not only that, the gardens are beautiful and are built around a narrow Combe that runs down to the sea at Pudcombe Cove (which is on the South West Coastal Path) and features many rare and exotic plants.

The second, Compton Castle, is near Marldon and is actually a fortified Manor House with high curtain walls, towers, and two portcullis. We are fortunate with timing and join a guided tour of the house and gardens; the inside features a medieval kitchen, a great hall, a sub-solar room, a solar room and a Chapel. The house is owned by the Gilbert Family (Sir Humphrey Gilbert was the half-brother of Sir Francis Drake); it has been in the care of the National Trust since 1951.

An excellent day out.Read more
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Devon Traveler
Torbay; Torquay, Paignton and Brixham
June 14, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
The three towns of Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham are situated around Torbay and comprise the English Riviera; this post describes additional places seen on diversions whilst walking between them - they are described by the picture captions.

Torquay was originally a fishing port but is now a major, large seaside town comprising several parishes and villages (including St Marychurch, Babbacombe, Wellswood, and Cockington visited earlier). Paignton is a pretty seaside town that merged with the neighbouring villages of Goodrington and Preston as it grew. Brixham is still an active fishing port and extremely pretty.Read more
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The South West Coastal Path Traveler
Torquay to Brixham
June 14, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
It's an early 22 bus into Torquay to continue the walk; it's going to be hot today.

We start at Beacon Quay and cross the Millenium Bridge to follow the coastal path along Torquay seafront. We pass Corbyn Head, Livermead Head, and walk along the promenade past Paignton Pier. We pass the small harbour and descend Roundham Head to Goodrington Sands and across to Broadsand Beach. We go round the headland, through Marriage Woods, and then Elberry Cove and Fishcombe Beach to reach Brixham.

We pass the Freshwater Fish Market and walk around the harbour and marina to Brixham Breakwater (1,000 feet long) to end this stage of the South West Coastal Path.

On arrival in Brixham, we booked onto the Western Lady ferry to cross the bay back to Torquay; £5 each well spent!Read more
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Devon Traveler
Cockington Court, Country Park, Village
June 13, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We take the 22 bus (again) through Torquay to Livermore Sands and walk up to Cockington, a village close to Torquay, via some lovely water meadows.

From the village, we follow a circular walk that includes part of the John Musgrave Cultural Trail, around to Cockington Court and Country Garden. The Manor House was owned by the influential Cary and Mallock families before passing to Torbay Council; the Country Park was created in 1991. There are interesting craft studios and gardens here, as well as the local village church (Norman).

We walk through the Country Park to reach Cockington Village itself; it is like stepping back in time, as it is very beautiful with many lovely cottages.Read more
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The South West Coastal Path Traveler
Shaldon to Torquay
June 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We take the 22 bus to Shaldon, where we finished yesterday; Shaldon is a pretty fishing village on the Teign Estuary, opposite Teignmouth.

We walk through the village to the beach and rejoin the coastal path to go up the Ness; behind it is Ness Cove beach, only accessible via a (smuggler's) tunnel from the car park. It's a steep climb, and we enjoy the views from Bundle Head and Labrador Bay and onwards to Maidencombe and Watcombe. More up and down until we reach the outskirts of Torquay Golf Club, where, much to our surprise, we have a lovely view of the "twin towers" of St Marychurch. We descend to Oddicombe beach, crossing under the Cliff Railway (unfortunately closed until the end of June), and follow the coastal path to the beach part of Babbacombe around Withy Point. We walk via Walls Hill at the top of Long Quarry Point, over Anstey's Cove and on to Black Head, where there are great views of the Hope's Nose headland, which separates Babbacombe Bay from Tor Bay.

Then it's on via Thatcher Point and Meadfoot Beach, a steep climb up to the top, around Daddyhole Plain, and on past the curiously named London Bridge rock formation to reach Beacon Quay in Torquay. It has been a long and hot day.Read more
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The South West Coastal Path Traveler
Dawlish Warren to Shaldon
June 11, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We are staying in St Marychurch, a part of Torquay, whilst we walk this first section of the SW Coastal Path starting at Dawlish Warren (technically, the Jurassic Coast walk from Poole to Exmouth is part of the SW Coastal Path - see previous trip in FP).

We take the 22 bus to Dawlish Warren; this is a popular holiday resort, and the Nature Reserve is located at the mouth of the River Exe Estuary, opposite Exmouth, on a sand spit. We explore this and take the sea wall path route of the SW Coastal Path to Dawlish, which runs next to the railway line. The cliffs are Permian Red Sandstone; there are lovely views, and it is easy walking.

Dawlish is a pretty seaside resort; the small park and play area built around the small coastal stream (Dawlish Water, aka The Brook) is known as The Lawn. We carry on along the seawall path and go up Lea Mount. This takes us via Holcombe and then another seawall path to Teignmouth.

Teignmouth is a seaside town and fishing port at the mouth of the River Teign; we walk along the Esplanade, with views of The Ness on the other side of the river, visit the pier and reach the harbour area to take the Shaldon Ferry across the River Teign Shaldon; from here it is the 22 bus back to St Marychurch.Read more
Wolfgang und Heidinice walk - nature and history. that what I love (Heidi)
6/13/23Reply
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Devon Traveler
St Marychurch, Babbacombe, Kents Cavern
June 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We are staying in St Marychurch, a small parish of Torquay whilst walking parts of the South West Coastal Path. Torquay, along with Paignton and Brixham, are located around Torbay, aka The English Riviera ( or "Torbaydos").

St Marychurch is named after one of its churches, St Mary, and we see this and the other church (the "twin towers") during a quick explore of the town before walking along the nearby Babbacombe Promenade - the highest in the UK - and on to Wellswood, where Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves are located.

Formed in the early Pleistocene period from Devonian limestone, the cave system has been occupied by at least eight separate, native populations. This Stone Age labyrinth of caves is spectacular and deservedly popular.Read more
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Suffolk Traveler
The Three Churches Walk
May 31, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
This walk was done with the Cambridge Rambling Club, and takes in the three churches at Moulton, Gazeley, and Dalham - three villages just east of Newmarket - and much of it follows the Icknield Way.

We start at Moulton, which is well known for both its church - the Church of St Peter - and a 15th century Packhorse bridge spanning the tiny River Kennet, on the old cart road from Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds. We leave the churchyard, and after a little road walking, take the path between the hedges of the Gazeley Stud to reach the All Saints Church and then the village itself. From here, we cross the road and join the Icknield Way (a 110-mile route from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk), crossing fields and several woods. There are views of the 3,000 acre Dalham Hall as we turn off for the Church of St Mary the Virgin; it is a lovely church, and there are traces of old wall paintings above the chancel arch. The church cuts into grounds for Dalham Hall, and is right next to the viewpoint for it; one of the previous owners of Dalham Hall and stud farm was Cecil Rhodes, the Victorian empire-builder and founder of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), but it is now owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE. As we walk down into the village, we pass an old and large conical red-brick malting kiln. After a packed lunch in Dalham Village Hall, we double back past the malting kiln and turn off to follow a footpath along the River Kennet back to the Church of St Peter at Moulton

A good, 7-mile walk.Read more
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RHS Gardens Traveler
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex
May 30, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
The garden at Hyde Hall was created by Dr. and Mrs. Robinson in 1955; Hyde Hall was formerly a working farm on a hilltop surrounded by arable land and became the property of the RHS in 1993.

We start our visit at the original Hyde Hall farmhouse, thatched barn and farmhouse garden, and then - using the map supplied - walk behind to the Robinson Garden, an original area of garden created by the Robinsons themselves. After walking along the Shrub Rose Border, we reach Lower Pond - also an original feature that has been expanded by the RHS. Then it's the Global Growth Vegetable Garden; created in 2017 outside the original borders, this garden is set out in a circle and split into four quarters to showcase plants of Europe and the Middle East / Asia / North and Central America / South America; at its centre is a 14m wide octagonal glasshouse in which less hardy edibles are grown. We then cross the Hilltop Garden to reach the iconic Dry Garden, one of the most well-known parts of Hyde Hall Gardens. We walk down the sun facing Clover Hill towards the man-made lake / reservoir and then up through the Winter Garden to the Courtyard Gardens; planted in 2012, they comprise the stylised Modern Country Garden and the relaxed classic Country Garden.

It has been another excellent visit to our second RHS garden.Read more
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Cambridgeshire; Cambridge City Traveler
Chisholm Trail, Phase 1
May 23, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
The Chisholm Trail is a walking and cycling route which will link the business and science parks via Cambridge North railway station to Addenbrooke's Hospital, the Biomedical Campus and the proposed Cambridge South railway station; it will also connect with the Guided Busway to St Ives, Cambs and the National Cycle Network. Phase 1 was opened in December 2021 and covers the area from Cambridge North Station to Coldham's Lane; Phase 2 will connect to phase 1 at Coldham’s Common on Coldham’s Lane.

We start at Cambridge North railway station; the aluminium roof cladding has a mathematical design derived from the Game of Life 'cellular automaton‘ and outside it is a 2021 statue depicting the Greco-Roman deities Hercules and Galatea where the man looks "rigid and dated" and the woman appears “strong, dynamic and empowered"..... We walk down to the river and cross the new Abbey Chesterton bridge for bicycles and pedestrians across the River Cam, installed in November 2020, before crossing Ditton Meadows towards Newmarket Road via properly surfaced paths. We reach the 12th century Leper Chapel, part of the buildings of a leper hospital that stood a little beyond the outskirts of the city on the road to Bury St Edmunds.

We are now able to cross Newmarket road via the new The Newmarket Road underpass, an important link in the Chisholm Trail, that reopened in 2022 with proper artwork to replace the graffiti and "street-art" that was there previously. On the other side is Coldham's Common and a proper view of Barnwell Lake - previously, it could only be glanced through trees. The Chisholm Trail crosses the common outside the Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United, before reaching Cromwell Road.

Phase 2 of the Chisholm Trail will connect here, providing a route through the city via Cambridge main railway station to the south of the city on both sides of the railway track. Watch this space.........Read more
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London - across by canal paths Traveler
Grand Union Canal 2; Paddington Arm
May 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
The Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal is 13.5-miles long, lock free, and runs from Bull's Bridge in Hayes to Paddington in central London; its only junction is with the Regent's Canal at Little Venice towards its end. The Paddington Arm was opened in July 1801 to give boats access to central London rather than via the River Thames and encouraged the establishment of many well-known firms along its route.

From Bull's Bridge, the canal towpath is shared with the Hillingdon Trail for the first couple of miles as it passes through Southall to Northolt; Northolt is the home for Engineer’s Wharf with its pricey moorings and adjacent Grand Union Village, which was built on the site of an old brick works. The route passes through a long stretch of open countryside as it goes through Horsenden and Alperton - Greenford, Perivale, and Ealing are a little further south. A large aqueduct takes the canal over the busy North Circular road (A406) before we pass through an area where Wormwood Scrubs open space is on our right and then the huge Kensal Green cemetery, resting place of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is on our left.

We pass the outskirts of North Kensington and Maida Vale; Trellick Tower, a Grade II listed tower block on the Cheltenham Estate in North Kensington with a separate access tower and abutting plant house, is an example of the so-called "Brutalist architecture" of the 1960s. We are getting close to Paddington now and finally reach Little Venice - it has been a long day, an almost 21-mile walk (along the flat).Read more
Wolfgang und Heidican‘t wait to go on a narrow boat again ((Heidi)
5/20/23Reply
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London - across by canal paths Traveler
Grand Union Canal 1; Slough Arm
May 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
The Grand Union Canal is the principal navigable waterway between London (River Thames) and the Midlands (Birmingham and Leicester); it has six main branches, usually termed 'arms', and heading north from the Thames these are (in order) -

Paddington Arm / Slough Arm / Wendover Arm / Aylesbury Arm / Northampton Arm / Saltisford Canal Arm, Warwick.

Since this trip runs across London from west to east, we start in Slough at the Slough Arm.

The Slough Arm is a short 5 mile canal branch from Slough to the Grand Union Main Line, and was originally opened to serve the brick-making industry (the last commercial traffic was carried in 1960, but it was re-opened in 1975 and has remained in use since). Anthony and I start at the Wexham Road Bridge (number 12); there are some business units and rural developments near the canal along the outskirts of Slough, but it is still pleasant walking, especially as we reach and pass through the Colne Valley Regional Park. After passing under the M25 London Orbital Motorway to enter what is now known as Greater London (formerly Middlesex), we cross three rivers via aqueducts- Colne Brook, River Colne and Frays River, seeing pill boxes that used to guard them. We reach the Packet Boat Marina (a packet boat used to carry passengers from here to Paddington) and then the junction with the Grand Union Canal at Cowley Peachey, crossing over it by a roving bridge to the tow path on the east side of the canal.

We walk along the Grand Union Canal, passing through the West London areas of West Drayton and Hayes; it is more built up here, but still good walking. After about 1.5 miles, we reach the outskirts of Hayes and the junction with the Paddington Arm at Bull's Bridge. From here, we turn east towards Paddington and Central London.Read more
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Cambridgeshire; South District Traveler
Wimpole Estate
April 25, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
We have recently joined the National Trust and our first use of our passes is to a locally owned NT property; the Wimpole Estate, comprising a listed 17th century Georgian mansion (Wimpole Hall) with its associated gardens, parkland and working farm (Home Farm).

We visit Wimpole Hall first and are able to see part of the interior (see picture captions). We then look round the gardens; these include a formal grand avenue which heads south (and is visible from the top of Royston Heath, several miles away), whereas the parkland on the north side and behind the house were "naturalised" (by Capability Brown). Here, we walk north towards Wimpole's Folly (a false Gothic Tower, 1768) and loop back via part of the multi-user trail to see other estate buildings - St Andrew's Church and the stable block. We then look around the Walled Garden and Home Farm (home to rare breeds, including Shire horses, pigs, sheep, cows, and goats).

The Wimpole Estate is a lovely place to visit, walk, and explore during different times of the year - we'll be back.Read more
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Hertfordshire Traveler
Baldock
April 24, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Baldock is a historic market town in Hertfordshire less than 10 miles southwest of Royston; it has an association with the Knioghts Templar, is mostly Georgian, and also has an exceptionally rich archaeological heritage. Malting and brewing were formerly major industries in the town, but today, it is mostly a commuter town.

The majority of the interesting buildings are near to, or along, the High Street; we start at the War Memorial and see some of them (see captions on pictures). After a slight diversion to walk along a street where there were originally roman buildings (The Twitchell) and an area where there was an Iron Age burial site (The Tene), we double back to see the Tesco supermarket (originally a film processing laboratory) before walking along what was the southern edge of the Medieval New Town (South Road).

We turn into Clothall Road and soon cross over to a footpath over a field towards Clothall Common; this field is where the Iron Age and Roman towns and several burial sites have been found. We then head back into town along Royston Road; Raban House is at the junction with Whitehorse Street. Then it's along Sun Street to St Mary's Church and back to the War Memorial to complete this short tour of Georgian and Ancient BaldockRead more
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Sri Lanka Traveler
Colombo 2; Fort and Galle Face Green
April 8, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Our hotel is in Fort, now the central business district of Colombo. There was a fort here, but the walls were demolished between 1869 and 1871 as the fort was obsolete and room was needed for new military barracks and urban development.

There is still a strong colonial feel to the area, and we start our walk at the Colombo Clock Tower (1857), also known as the Old Colombo Lighthouse; it is no longer the tallest building in Colombo. We see the Cargills Department Store, the Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH), the Dutch Hospital (actually in front of our hotel) and Fort railway station, still a major rail hub in Colombo. Then it is past the old Parliament building (where the Presidential Secretariat is located). There is a good view of the iconic Lotus Tower and Beira Lake from near here.

We then walk down the Galle Face Green, on the south side of Fort; it used to be much larger and it was used for horse racing, golf, rugby and cricket (not all at the same time!) - it is now a popular destination for locals. At the southern tip of the green is the Galle Face Hotel; founded in 1864, it is one of the oldest hotels east of Suez.

It has been a fantastic trip to Sri Lanka.Read more
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Sri Lanka Traveler
Colombo 1; Central and Pettah
April 8, 2023 in Sri Lanka
Colombo is the commercial centre of Sri Lanka, owing to its natural harbour. It reached prominence when the Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka in 1517, building a large fort here (it no longer exists now). The Dutch took control of the island in 1656 and ruled for 150 years before the British captured it in 1796; Colombo became the capital of Ceylon in 1815. The Civil War from 1983 - 2009 between the Tamil Tigers (who migrated here during British role) and the native Sinhalese caused a lot of destruction in the city, and it is being rebuilt in parts.

After a 2 hour journey from Koggala, our coach takes us through the Central area where we visit the Independance Memorial Hall and drive past the Vihara Mahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) to reach the Gangaramaya Temple; this is one of the most important temples in Colombo, and is an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture and includes a museum, a library, a residential hall and a three storeyed Pirivena. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century and is now a place of Buddhist worship and a learning centre.

We reach Pettah and enjoy walking around what is the chaotic market / bazaar neighbourhood of Colombo (see captions on photos).Read more
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Sri Lanka Traveler
Koggala and local area
April 7, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
After the whale watching and a swim in the sea, it is time to have a beach walk; there are beautiful views on the way to the Koggala Lagoon.

Back to the hotel for a break and the next excursion, which, by coincidence, turns out to be where from where my walk ended!

Our Koggala Lake Safari takes us round part of the lagoon, where there are 8 islands surrounded by lush mangroves, a haven for wildlife. We visit a monastery as well as Cinnamon Island, where we see how cinnamon is obtained from the trees.

Back on the beach area near Weligama, we see stilt fishermen; the stilts are carved with notches to help them climb to the crossbar, where they balance as they fish.Read more
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Sri Lanka Traveler
1
Mirissa; whale watching
April 7, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
We are up early to go on the optional whale watching tour from Mirissa (the whale watching capital of Sri Lanka). The unspoilt town also features a very pretty harbour and beach.

We spend about 4 hours on the sea and spot Bryde whales and Spinner dolphins on several different occasions. A wonderful experience.

Then it's back to the hotel in Koggala for some RnR.Read more
Wolfgang und Heidi 😯
4/10/23Reply
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Sri Lanka Traveler
Galle
April 6, 2023 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We leave the Lowland region and head to the South Coast region of Sri Lanka, an area that is firmly on the tourist trail for visitors to the island

We visit Galle, the most important town of the South Coast. It is a perfectly preserved colonial town featuring an old Dutch quarter within a fort (Galle Fort) and a sprawling New Town outside it. We walk around the fort ramparts swing the various bastions (about 2 miles) with forays into the old town to see the buildings just below the ramparts (see captions on pictures).

A beautiful place.Read more
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Sri Lanka Traveler
Uda Walawe National Park and River Camp
April 5, 2023 in Sri Lanka
Uda Walawe National Park was established in 1972 and is now one of Sri Lanka's most popular parks, with a spread of 300 sq km, providing a catchment area around an enormous reservoir.

We start our visit at the Elephant Transit Home, better known as the Elephant Orphanage; orphaned elephants are raised here until they are 4-5 years old and released into the wild. Feeding time is every 3 hours and can be watched from a viewing platform.

We enjoy a Jeep safari around part of the park before going to Athgira River Camp to stay in a jungle lodge next to the Rajwana River.Read more
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