Day 10 - Last day of tour & farewell to Pradeep

Today we left our Tissa base and drove along the south coast to our final destination for a while. Pradeep pointed out the areas where development has picked up including a new international airport and an expressway which will link up with the one between Galle and Colombo. This will make access to the south much easier and bring a lot more tourist and other trade to the southern areas. A new port is already operating which provides a much needed fuel stop for the shipping routes. The country is certainly developing fast although I do hope the changes don't affect the culture too much. I'm still overwhelmed at the friendly nature and generous spirit of the people here. A smiled greeting is always the first response, and politeness in all things is the norm. Even to be asked not do something is done with respect and tolerance. If only we could bottle this and spike the westerner water with it!

As we followed the coast we were able to see the coastline which is clear and picturesque. We stopped near a beach where fishing boats were landed and fish being sold. No need for trailers and boat ramps, just lots of willing hands to haul the boat up the beach. The helpers are paid with fish which they then sell. A clever co-op where everyone benefits and no vehicles are tearing up the beaches.

 

 

We also stopped to look at a lone stick fisherman. We had to be very quick and take the photo from the window of the van as they are onto the tourist game and have family waiting to pounce asking for money. Pradeep was a bit nervous too so we tried to be subtle and didn't hang around long.

Just off shore there was a very small island with a lone house on it where a very wealthy person lives. Not sure it would be all that comfortable with pounding waves and wind non stop!


We eventually came to Galle which has a large and very old Dutch fort next to the cricket ground. The fort has high, thick walls surrounding it and during the tsunami the walls prevented worse damage to Galle although many people were killed and buildings destroyed. Pradeep pointed out the new bus station where many children had lost their lives as they were there for Sunday school lessons. Very sobering and terrible to imagine given the crowded streets we see now.

We carried on through Galle with a quick glimpse of the cricket match underway between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Not long afterwards we arrived at our beach hotel and the dreaded farewell to Pradeep. We were all feeling very gloomy as we not only valued him as our guide, but also as a good friend and mentor. He is a very special person and it was very hard to see him leave. We know he was missing his young son and wife so we were glad he would be home with them by the end of the day.

I will do a separate entry about the things we learned in general but while I'm on the subject of Pradeep, I would like to recommend him as a guide to anyone thinking of coming here. He can arrange a complete itinerary for any number of days, including hotels, entry fees, everything. He even knows the best places for 'washroom' stops (vital with the kids!). All you need to do is get yourself to Colombo. I think it's probably a much cheaper option to deal with him direct and really I think having a guide is the best possible way to see and learn about both the history and the current culture of Sri Lanka. It is also much safer to have someone diving who understands the road etiquette!

His email address is: bandarapradeep@gmail.com

And of course the minute we no longer have Pradeep with us, it all goes a bit wrong.....But first over to the rest of the family...

 

Dan

• Stick fishermen
  
• The coast because of the fishing boats
  

I could only think 2 thing because I was to sad to say good bye to Pradeep

 

Sarah

• The fishing boats because they were really bright and coulorful
  
• The stick fishing men they were really cool
  
• The house on the island it was funny
  
• The last drive with Pradeep was upsetting
  
• the gentle cruise along the cost I was not car sick YAY
  

 

Rich

Best thing Pradeep.

I enjoyed the gentle cruise along the southern coastal road, beautiful beaches and views with Pradeep explaining and showing us how much of this area had been decimated by the tsunami, but how it was redeveloping with new highways and an airport to open up the tourist and commercial routes to the beach life of the south. Still in all Pradeep's the man.

I guess the best thing today was Pradeep, and in many ways most days really. It is hard to over state his influence on the trip. While we have merrily highlighted all fantastic things we have done on this blog, they were all "framed" by him. As a guide and mentor he has been fantastic - the ease of transport, entry to sites negotiation, cultural understanding and therefore the quality of the trip were all so much enhanced by his presence. His kind and gentle manner will be greatly missed - he is a beautiful soul!