TRINCOMALEE

After a two and a half hour bus ride any beach may look spectacular, although I think under any arrival conditions, Trincomalee's rustic Uppuveli Beach is a welcoming sight.  I found a hotel on the beach and was in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean less than ten minutes later.  I had to take a swim in the ocean before eating my first meal in over seven hours since breakfast.  At 300 LKR for a 625ML bottle of Lion Lager the decision to visit Trincomalee on the Northeast Coast was looking even better.

Later in the afternoon I rode a bus to Nilaveli Beach, an even more rustic beach just north of Uppuveli.  Nilaveli had only a few beach side hotels with a few more under construction.  Even though there were less crowds the beach was far dirtier as I guess the currents bring in more trash.  I walked up the beach where several groups of Sri Lankans were enjoying the waves.  Of the fifty or so Sri Lankans splashing in the water none wore swimsuits.  Women went in the water wearing saris.  Men went in wearing jeans and a polo shirt.  Regardless of the attire they all seemed to be having fun.  It was a nice scene to see Sri Lankans relaxing and enjoying their country's natural beauty.  At the hotels and Uppuveli Beach I only saw other tourists.  Despite the 90 degree weather and water within 100 yards of all the major roads, Sri Lankans did not seem to embrace the after work cool down.

I passed through a small village on the walk back to the main road from the beach.  Villagers working in the fields showed an alternate view to the idyllic paradise that greeted me upon arrival.

Back at the hotel I took another swim in the ocean. By now the waves were a bit more turbulent although never more than a foot high. Supposedly once the sun starts to set the calm and peaceful ocean becomes a little rougher. It was certainly the case during my visit.

The next morning I walked up and down the beach and took a few more dips in the ocean.

Before catching the night train to Colombo I walked around Trimcomalee, curious to see if there's more to the town than the beaches. There isn't.  There is a nice inner harbor although there's not much development on this side.  I walked over three miles in search of a restaurant before eating a box of the local Cheez-its for dinner.  It was probably a good move to not eat a heavy dinner.  I started to get sea sick on the night train.  There was no AC and the rocking back and forth was worse than any ferry trip. 

For additional Trincomalee photos see FLICKR ALBUM.