Galle

Galle, on the southwestern tip of the island, was a port for many centuries but reached its height in the colonial period. First the Portuguese and then the Dutch built a fortress city next to the port that remains largely unchanged. The city was inundated in the 2004 tsunami, killing thousands and destroying many of the surrounding towns. The city, old and modern, has been restored and remains a World Heritage Site.

Our hotel, the Lighthouse, is a bit outside the old city on the beach. It was built by a famous Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, and features an amazing staircase depicting the Portuguese arrival to the coast.