We took a local bus from Galle to Mirissa, a small town on the south coast. It is the largest fishing port on the south coast and truly discovered tourism in the mid 1990s. The civil war largely affected the North and East coasts, so travelers have been coming to Mirissa for some time.
Despite the many good-looking people in bikinis on the beach, it is still extremely pleasant. The sand is clean, golden and the water clear. The waves are large enough that you have to be aware, but the force of them causes a little fear that heightens the fun. A little danger makes everything a little crisper. The undertow is so strong that I have to hold onto Addie when the tide goes out.
This part of the Indian Ocean is favored by whales as they like to migrate in the warm waters. We did take a boat out and were able to see Blue Whales and Pilot Whales. It was pretty cool to be that far out in the ocean and see these magnificent creatures. The wildlife in Sri Lanka is impressive. We see birds of all colors, monkeys, lizards, crabs and odd bugs. Large industry has not taken hold here and the environment appears quite healthy. However, there are signs that the Chinese have discovered the ports and the are already some huge projects under way. As an outsider I see clearly what Sri Lanka has to lose and I pray that instead of making huge land grab deals with the Chinese they choose eco tourism, as it is so special here. We have not seen a snake which I am not disappointed. More people die of snakebite in Sri Lanka than in any other comparable area. Over 95% fatalities are caused by the common krait. However we have been told that all clinics stock antivenom and that most deaths occur in the North where people seek medical help from traditional healers.
Our days in Mirissa are filled with wave jumping, drinking Lion beer and eating marginal overpriced fish and chips. Not a bad life!
Bochner Family Adventure 