![\"Mirissa](\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/20170722\/IMG_20170722_101232.jpg\")
<\/a> <\/p>\n We spent the previous night in the coastal town of Mirissa, and had our dinner in the I&I Roti Shop. It was so nice that we decided we would have our breakfast there too. After checking out of the hotel in the noon, we made our way West towards the town of Unawatuna, which is essentially the closest town to Galle that’s got a beach.<\/p>\n <\/br>Fishing Boats in Weligama Bay<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Stilt Fishermen’s Poles<\/br>Well, this tiny bay is next to a petrol station (that\u2019s why we stopped in the first place), where there\u2019re few tourists around, and so I guess the stilt fishermen were out of job.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Indian Ocean<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Lunch<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n Once in Unawatuna, we had more beach activities. But with blistering sunshine, volleyball on the spacious beach of Unawatuna no longer was a viable option. So I tried to go for a swim in the sea, which was cool by and large, except occasionally I was thrown out of shape by some huge incoming waves.<\/p>\n So fast forward to that afternoon, as I figured the best time to visit the historic city of Galle was near dusk, with pleasant sea winds and spectacular sunset.<\/p>\n More information about the bastions of Galle Fort can be found at www.galleheritage.gov.lk\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=11&lang=en<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/br>Statues of Soldiers underneath Galle Fort Clock Tower<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Moon Bastion overlooking Samanala Ground<\/br>Further away in this photo is Galle International Cricket Stadium. On our way here, our driver proudly pointed us a sign in the stadium stating an upcoming match between Sri Lanka and India, two nations fond of cricket.<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Ditch<\/br>On Star Bastion separating the Fort from the sea.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Galle Fort overlooking Indian Ocean<\/br>The Dutch didn\u2019t build the fort right into sea (which could be technically challenging I guess), so there\u2019s this piece of beach that\u2019s large enough for trees to grow.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Moon Bastion and Clock Tower<\/p><\/div> <\/br>People on Star Bastion<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Sun over Indian Ocean<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Sun Bastion and Distant Galle Harbor<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Houses of Galle<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Two Ladies Watching Sunset<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n After that, we went down the rampart onto the main street of Galle Fort.<\/p>\n <\/br>Roadsign<\/p><\/div>\n We wandered into this small church just like any other church sprinkled around the town of Galle. Fee people were around, we took a few photos and left before our presence would disturb its tranquility. <\/br>Square<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Corridor<\/br>Lined with plants.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Historic Queen’s Building<\/br>Where colonial colors of the building was contrasted with modern vogue storefronts.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Designer Window<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Chic Houses<\/br>I\u2019m not sure why they have these vents as low as towards the ground, but the bright white paint on its walls spoke of the affluence (and maybe unique taste) of its owner.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Methodist Church Exterior<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Alley<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Decorated Doorway<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Tree Grown on Eaves<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Amangalla Hotel<\/br>The complex first built in 1684 as the headquarters of the Dutch commanders. During British rule the complex was used as the quarters for its soldiers. In 1865 it was converted into the New Orient Hotel.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n The foundation of Dutch Reformed Church were initially laid in 1682. In 1755, Commandeur of Galle, Casparus de Jong (Lord of Spanbroek), and his wife Geertruyda Adriana Le Grand donated the money for the church to be constructed as a thanksgiving for the birth of their daughter for which he had waited for many years. The child was not baptized until the church was completed. It is one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use in the country.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Fortunately, we made it to Dutch Reformed Church at 6pm, just when it’s about to close. Towards the end of our brief visit, some clergies ushered us out and closed its gate afterwards. <\/br>Organ<\/br>Original organ built in 1760.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Pulpit<\/br>Constructed with wood imported from Malaysia.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Choir<\/br>A small choir pushed to the side of the church.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/br>Church Exterior<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Entrance<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Maritime Archaeology Museum Building<\/p><\/div> <\/br>All Saints’ Church<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Boutique Hotel<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n And among historic churches, fashionable shops and restaurants represented the modern part of Galle Fort.<\/p>\n <\/br>Chic Restaurant<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Arcade<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Arabic College<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Mosque<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n With the Buddhist temple that I saw later in the day, the world’s major three religions could all be found in this tiny Fort area, speaking of its culture blend.<\/p>\n After that, we reached the Southern boundary of Galle Fort, where local people were emerging themselves in the sea breeze after a blistering summer day.<\/p>\n <\/br>Galle Lighthouse<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Meeran Jumma Masjid<\/br> <\/br>Galle Fort South<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Southern Shore of Galle Fort<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Rocks in Indian Ocean<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n And after that, we watched a spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean, with sparse clouds decorating but not obscuring this magnificent scene.<\/p>\n <\/br> <\/br> <\/br> <\/br>Fiery Clouds<\/p><\/div> <\/br>Fiery Clouds over Indian Ocean<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n After that, we made our way North to the parking lot, where our driver would take us back to our hotel in Unawatuna.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/br><\/a> <\/a><\/br>Mirissa Beach<\/p><\/div>\n
\nAfter breakfast, we had the option to go whale watching, that’s what the town of Mirissa is famous for. But since it’s not whale watching season, we decided to enjoy its beach with some beach volleyball instead (we had barely used that volleyball since we bought it in Trincomalee).
\nUnfortunately, unlike Trincomalee, the beach of Mirissa is shallow and slanted towards the sea, which made volleyballing sort of difficult. But with cow manure of Trincomalee replaced with pleasant foot traffic of Mirissa, we had great fun that morning.<\/p>\n<\/a>
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\n<\/a>Moon and Star Bastion<\/span><\/h3>\n
\nWe began our tour of Galle Fort at Moon Bastion which was on its Northern wall, where Galle Fort Clock Tower was located and local younglings were playing.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/a><\/br>Galle Fort Clock Tower<\/p><\/div>
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\n<\/a><\/a><\/br>Younglings Playing on Moon Bastion<\/p><\/div>
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\n<\/a><\/a>St Joseph’s Chapel<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/a>Dutch Reformed Church<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/a><\/a><\/br>Church Interior<\/p><\/div>
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\n<\/a><\/a><\/br>Meeran Jumma Masjid against Fiery Clouds<\/p><\/div>
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\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/br><\/a><\/br><\/a><\/br><\/a><\/br><\/a><\/br><\/a><\/br>Sunset over Indian Ocean<\/p><\/div>
\n<\/a><\/a><\/br>Galle Fort West<\/p><\/div>
\n<\/a><\/a><\/br>Sunset Glow over Indian Ocean<\/p><\/div>
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