Touring a cinnamon farm and Galle
- Badger
- Aug 17, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 21, 2018
For my second full day, I wanted to see a traditional cinnamon farm and the coast up to Galle.
I arranged a tour through the hotel and between my personal butler Isuru and the manager of the concierge team, Sagaru. My driver for the day through the hotel was Iranga who was incredibly friendly, reliable and the hotel car itself was great.
They even included a goodie bag with snacks, drinks and cool towels.
Early into our journey, some cows relaxing on the side of the road.
Our first stop was a religious temple site with Buddhist and Hindu temples.
They had an elephant out front and was told it participates in festivals.
The Hindu temple complex.
The Buddhist temple complex.
Into the Hindu side and checking out the front building.
Iranga my guide from the hotel was fantastic at walking me through the intricacies and histories of each religion.
In the Buddhist side, there were lots of pictures and stories/quotes/wisdom.
After checking out the religious complex, we continued along the coast. Ironically passing an old Dutch trading post that now is a more modern market.
A bit further down the road we were getting close to the cinnamon farm area in the Lake Koggala area.
We pulled into an area with the boat that would take us to one of the farms located on an island, but first a tour of different plants to see where common household goods come from.
This is a vanilla plant and what it looks like.
Turmeric.
And then onto a boat through a beautiful lake with many small islands.
We arrived at one of them and made our way up to a house with a family that farms cinnamon.
These are what cinnamon trees/bushes look like. Each year the farmers cut the branches and prepare the cinnamon.
First scraping away the outer bark.
Then polishing it.
Then carefully scoring and peeling the inner layer.
Here it is, a ton of work for the roll of cinnamon. Fresh it smelled like cinnamon, but much sweeter than what we buy at stores, almost with a hint of coconut.
Then the bark is dried for two weeks.
And for cinnamon powder crushed.
And put through a sieve.
The family sells cinnamon and I bought several packets as gifts to take home, plus it's always nice to support people who are impoverished.
After some cinnamon tea with the family, it was time to get back in the boat, seeing a lizard on the dock.
The beautiful lake and small islands all around.
This is known as bird island, during migratory periods it gets loaded with birds, but sadly not many right now.
Then we stopped at a different island with a temple.
Heading to the temple, but we were turned away since there was meditation going on, darn.
At least still some cool stuff to check out.
A mini temple up a hill.
Back down and onto the boat back to the car. Then we kept driving. Along the way we stopped at a turtle sanctuary/hospital. They take care to help turtles breed and be a hospital to injured ones. Here are eggs taken from the beach and kept in a safe spot from animals and people.
Once they hatch the turtles are small and delicate, they make sure to help them grow up before releasing them into the wild.
Some of the bigger turtles recovering from various injuries stemming from missing limbs to being sick.
Then on the road towards Galle.
The Galle fort in the distance.
Passing a fish market, similar to the one in Tangalle.
We made it into the old colonial Dutch fort in Galle. It's easily spotted from a distance for the clock tower.
A man and his monkey.
View from the fort of the cricket field/stadium.
Beautiful views from the fort to the ocean.
Then we drove around the colonial town.
Lots of cute small shops.
The lighthouse.
Even saw a wild monkey in a tree.
This is the old Dutch hospital, now converted into shops.
A famous old and top rated hotel called Amangalla, stepped inside to take a quick look.
Definitely nice in the old school colonial style, not my personal style, but I could see its appeal.
Then on the road again and leaving the fort.
We made one final stop to a jeweler to see how things go from raw materials to jewelry.
Raw stones.
Getting polished or cut.
Then making of pieces.
After that we got on the freeway to head back to the resort instead of the scenic, but longer way along the coast like we took to get to Galle.
I can't say enough good things about Iranga my driver and guide. I get car sick easily and having a smooth driver who is also personable and knowledgable was fantastic! The whole experience was awesome and I'm so glad I got to see so much of the beautiful Sri Lankan coast.
Trip links:
- Colombo
Comments