The Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka, lies on an important maritime trade route between the Orient and Occident and therefore, has been a focal point of maritime trade from time immemorial. Galle, the capital of southern Sri Lanka, has been a Port of great commercial importance in olden times. It was to the Port of Galle that Sri Lanka’s first western colonisers, the Portuguese, were blown to by an ill wind and it was the island’s principal Port till the Colombo Port was built. Today, Galle is a tourist hub of much repute and things to do in Galle cover a wide range of activities from aqua sports to sightseeing and shopping. Galle accommodation ranges from luxury boutique hotels to backpacker rest houses. For those looking for accommodation a river side boutique hotel, such as Tamarind Hill would be a good accommodation option.
The National Maritime Museum in Galle should be at the top of all visitor itineraries. The Museum is located in an Old Dutch Warehouse built in 1671 over the Old Gate of Galle Fort and was first opened to the public on 09 May 1992 and showcases aquatic flora and fauna and a host of other exhibits linked to the maritime heritage of the island nation. The first gallery has watercraft used for passenger transport and maritime trading in southern Sri Lanka. Exhibits depicting the traditional lifestyles of Sri Lankan fishermen are also housed here. Models of mangroves, seashore plants, sea birds, turtles and other marine mammals with taxonomic details are on display and the skeleton of a whale is a major focal point.
Galle was destroyed by the December 2004 tsunami and so was the Maritime Museum. The Maritime Museum was renovated and refurbished with aid from the Government of Netherlands and re-opened to the public. The Maritime Archaeological Museum is housed above the National Maritime Museum and exhibits include a collection of Chinese vases and a large scale model of an early European sailing boat.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+