Galle Facts: Galle, Sri Lanka - The New Tourist Haven

Galle the New Tourist Haven

The historic port city of Galle in Sri Lanka with its beautiful 400 year old Dutch Fort is rapidly becoming a must visit destination for tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Galle Fort and the city within it appears as though time left it behind. A Rip Van Winkle city that has only recently awoken.

The old colonnaded Dutch colonial building are being progressively restored and occupied by swank shops, jewellers, and restaurants. It is also to home of one of the most exclusive hotels in the world. Recently refurbished to its former colonial splendour the Amangalla Hotel, previously the New Oriental Hotel, beacons the travel to sit at its balcony and sip tea in the afternoon, or a Gin and Tonic in the evening as the British Raj did in their heyday.

Read more about the fascinating city of Galle Sri Lanka on our web page.  It is comprehensive.

Galle Facts - Things to Do & Attractions

What to Do in Galle

The historic city of Galle and the surrounding area with picturesque beaches is rapidly becoming the new "must see" haven in Sri Lanka. The 400 year old Fort with a thriving city which maintains its quaint colonial charm, convenient shopping and dining and the beaches are just a few of the things to do in Galle.

Galle Fort and the city within it appears as though time left it behind. A Rip Van Winkle city that has only recently awoken.

Galle Fort Attractions

Galle Fort - Things to Do

The quaint port city of Galle, with its 400 year old Dutch Fort, is a lovely way to spend some time in Sri Lanka. It is a place where time stood still, preserving a by-gone colonial era.

Here are just a few of the Attractions:

• Galle Fort built 400 years ago, it is the best preserved European fort in existence in Asia today. A walk through the town and along the ramparts (especially at sunset) is a great way to enjoy Sri Lanka.
• Amangalla Hotel, previously the New Oriental Hotel, beacons the travel to sit at its balcony and sip tea in the afternoon, or a Gin and Tonic in the evening as the British Raj did in their heyday.

• Dutch Reformed Church contains numerous tombstones for those adventurous Europeans who died so far away from home. 

Read more about the Attractions and Things to Do in Galle .

Sigiriya Sri Lanka

Sigiriya - Must See Site in Sri Lanka.

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built 1600 years ago on a rock 200 meters high,  is an absolutely must see historic site in Sri Lanka. Not only are the ruins fascinating, the story behind Kasyapa,  the king who built it is the stuff for novels.

Read more about the Sigiriya on our web page.  It is the most comprehensive and well written site on the subject.

Climbing Sigiriya Rock

Climbing Sigiriya Rock.

Climbing Sigiriya isn't that hard but it is strenuous. It is not, however, for the unfit. 

There are steps all the way to the top; some of which are very narrow and steep. There are about 1200 steps. That's roughly equivalent to climbing 60 flights of steps of a 60 story building. But don't panic. It’s a lot easier than climbing sixty flights of steps in a building. When you climb Sigiriya Rock take your time, rest often and drink lots of water. Proper footwear is strongly recommended. The best times to climb are early morning and late afternoon.

Visit our webpage Sigiriya, Sri Lanka for a complete guide to Sigiriya.

The easy bit is coming down.

Was Galle the Biblical City of Tarshish?

Is it true that Galle was Tarshish? 

1. James Emerson Tennent, who served as the colonial secretary of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) between 1845 and 1850, makes the assertion that Galle in Sri Lanka may have been the ancient biblical place referred to as Tarshish.
2. This assertion is made in his two volume works the Ceylon;an Account of the Island Physical, Historical, and Topographical with Noticesof Its Natural History, Antiquities and Productions, Volume 1 (of 2) 
3. There is no corroborating evidence to support this assertion. The general consensus is that Tarshish was located somewhere closer to Israel along the Mediterranean coast.  Sri Lankan luxury goods such as gems, cinnamon, pearls, ivory and peacocks were exported since ancient times. It is most likely that King Solomon acquired these goods in the Mediterranean land of Tarshish.
4. Read more about the fascinating city of Galle Sri Lanka

Great Barrier Reef Facts: How Long is the Great Barrier Reef?

Length of the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef off the Gold Coast of Queensland Australia is the largest coral reef in the world. It is so large in fact that it is the only living organism on earth which is visible from space. 

It is about 2,300 km (1,450 miles) long. It stretching along the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia from Cape York Peninsula in the north to Bundaberg in the south. This is about the same distance along the west coast of North America starting at Vancouver and ending in San Diego.

Learn more at our website.... The Great Barrier Reef