Sri Lanka. the Dutch Fort and the City of Galle

After several excursions industrial facilities, we decided to continue our acquaintance with the tourist part of Sri Lanka. For this we have chosen city Galle — the capital of the southern province of the island, which is very well located only a 30-minute bus ride from Hikkaduwa.

Galle known since biblical times as a center of trade in gems and a transshipment point for the then financial flows between Arabia and China. In its present name city owes the Portuguese, who having lost the course, landed here back in 1505. It was the Portuguese built the first fortifications to protect their settlements from local residents. But in 1640, after heavy fighting, they still gave the Dutch port, which also built the famous fort, which attracts crowds of tourists, both from abroad and from most of Sri Lanka.

On the territory of modern fort situated a city: temples, residential and administrative buildings, a lighthouse, a prison.

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Fort is located near the central bus station in Galle, so long to find it is not necessary. Access to the fort can be accessed directly through the main entrance in the wall:

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The walk from the bus station takes about 10 minutes.

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For a guide to move on loan to the clock tower, it is clearly visible from a distance:

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Across the street from the fort is kryketnyy stadium:

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If the hand ended tickets or the price is too unbearable for ordinary Sri Lankans (and this happens when England plays), the wonderful and completely free form field called the walls of the fort.

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The area of ​​the fort is a favorite meeting place of lovers:

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And seating for family groups,

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This is not surprising — the surrounding area is incredibly beautiful, and the local atmosphere fascinates its tranquility:

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Fort seen the ocean:

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We continue to walk among the stone walls of the fort:

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On ups morale is reminiscent perhaps remnants of earthen walls:

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Of special note is the role of the fort in the modern sexual revolution in Sri Lanka.

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More recently, unmarried people were forbidden to walk together, let alone touch one another even hands could not hold. Now this rule officially canceled, but the inertia of such public displays of affection are still considered unacceptable. Therefore fort is just the perfect place to hide from prying public morality:

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The concentration of tenderness and mimishnosti per square kilometer just rolls:

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On the review of the internal structure of the fort:

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Nice colonial building pleasing to the eye:

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Ironically, but it looks like has Lankan elite real estate. Here the highest prices on the island:

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Only wealthy local citizens and foreigners can afford to stay in this luxury residential complex:

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Local rich can enjoy walks in the park with a long history:

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Elite police guarding the peace on motorcycles:

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And someone stands on shuheri:

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In the vicinity of Galle a clean ocean and a large number of reefs in coastal waters also makes it quiet, so after tiring walk you can swim in the cool water, though sometimes have to endure a small place.

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As we mentioned, Galle is very popular both in domestic and in foreign tourists.

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In this regard, local entrepreneurs imagination goes on and generates a variety of original ideas for earnings. For example, to start a business you will need: three local residents, elevation and rock on the ocean — as seen zero investment. Then pick up the tourists for a few rupees per view Cliff-diving… PROFIT. However, there is a risk that every season will have to fix / change artists.

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Trades cost jump usually occur quite rapidly:

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This attraction attracts not only foreign tourists:

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Meanwhile, the weather began to deteriorate rapidly, and towards Galle hefty black cloud approaching:

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We actually do not care what the weather, just be good shots out:

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View of the opposite side:

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By the way, at a gas station in Galle we noticed one interesting detail — in Sri Lanka, there are no restrictions on the type of container for fuel:

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In Galle no traffic lights, as, indeed, throughout Sri Lanka, and the movement is regulated by the police (the exception is only the capital):

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As in any large city, one of the main occupations of the local population are spontaneous trade — senseless and merciless:

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