Janet's Journal

Having been back in Negombo for just over a month I decided to go away for a few days.  I decided on the Kalutara area, not wishing to venture too far during the rainy season.

Torrential rain on the Sunday cleared up overnight and Monday started dry, albeit not sunny.  I was hardly out of Negombo before the rain started again and continued for the next seven hours.

I chose an oldish hotel in Aluthgama on the north bank of the Bentota River.  Built in the old style with a huge veranda and rattan blinds it was quiet and comfortable.  A neatly kept lawn led down to their private jetty where in better weather I could have got the boat across to Bentota side.

Tuesday dawned dry and with a suspicion of blue sky and sunshine.  Not wasting any time after an excellent breakfast, I set off for Brief Garden (see separate blog).  Flooded roads covered with rich red mud made for an interesting drive, but I arrived safely and covered in mosquito repellent I explored this beautiful garden created by Bevis Bawa.

The weather held and I managed not to slip over on any of the pathways although I still got quite wet meandering through the lush vegetation.

After a quick biriyani for lunch in Dharga Town I decided to make the most of a dry day and drove up to Kalutara to revisit Richmond Castle (see separate blog).  It started to be a race against time.  Being high on a hill I could see the rainclouds gathering again.  

Back to Bentota time for a quick look at the windswept beach before returning to my hotel for tea. Across the road from the hotel was a wood carving centre.  I loved these fantastic table and chairs sets, but not the fantastic prices that went with them.

Wednesday the sky again was clear so with instructions from a old guidebook I set off to find Geoffrey Bawa’s house and garden by Lake Dedduwa. Taking the Elpitiya road I did manage to spot the first turn off.  No signposts give any clue to the location, but the guidebook said if you pass Gangarama Temple you have gone 200 metres to far.

You guessed correctly, I missed the turn off but was glad to have the opportunity to see the temple.

After a quick look at the beautiful old temple, I retraced my steps for 200 metres and found the dirt track leading to Lunugana, my destination.

Another transformation of a rubber plantation into a magical landscape was my reward.  See my blog on Lunugana.  I would definitely like to save up and treat myself to a night in one of the rooms in the hotel that has been created here.

I went back to Bentota and onto the beautiful big sandy beach but the storm had left the sea still angry and red flags were flying.  

A rice and curry lunch at the riverside seemed a good idea before setting off back to Negombo.