Galle * Sixtyexpress

I could see you were devastated when we had no time to visit the Galle Maritime Museum. Yes we are in the Galle Fort. This was originally created by the Portuguese, taken over by the Dutch and then by the British….,but I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s talk about what we saw yesterday.

It was so wet. Did you find it hard to watch where you were walking, avoid puddles and storm drains and try not to get run over.

I don’t know about you but I was glad to get back on the bus. The whistle stop tour of places turned into just driving past because of the rain. Just as well that we had already visited different places already. The museum was interesting but there was simply so much stuff that I got information overload. How did you go.

Early artwork was related to the introduction of different religions. Later objects reflected on the trade with other Asian cultures or traders.

Ivory combs and ear buds….see people poked things in their ears even in early times

Front door step. The figures represent the different stages of life.

Rain , rain go away. Look we are stopping at a freeway food court. I am having a chicken roti and a samosa. What is that rice dish you have?

Next stop the boat trip on the river.

Going through the mangroves was great. When the tsunami hit this area, the mangroves protected the banks to a certain degree.

That distant spot is the end of the tunnel.

Look at the prawn traps

A quick stop at Cinnamon island. Did you know it is a cure for multiple body issues. Tree bark is harvested every 6 months. The outer bark layer is removed and then the next layer removed, rolled and dried.

The leaves are crushed to make oil

Wasn’t the parade a surprise. It delayed us by half an hour but the costumes, dancing and drums made it an exciting spectacle.

Well here we are in Galle. The fort is so deceptive don’t you think. From the outside , the walls suggest it is just a small fort , then you walk through the gates. 1200 people had houses here let alone the soldiers and businesses. The buildings are still in uses as houses , businesses or official government offices and courts.