Whales in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by Indian Ocean which is rich in different types of Fish. 
Whales, known as world largest type of fish is freely available in southern coastal area in Sri Lanka during the Whales Season. 

There are different types of whales in all over the world and Sri Lanka is famous for the Blue Whales which are known as world largest mammal in the water. 

Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) usualy grow up to 30 meters in length with a weight of 150 tones. They probably reaching over 180 tones during their life time and known as the world largest living animal. Blue whales have a colour of Bluish ash touch where they named as Blue Whales. These magnificent marine mammals rule the oceans. Blue whales are known as Baleen whales who has a baleen plate in their mouth in upper jaws. Blue whales usually lives as small groups and mostly available in North Antarctic, Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. Southern coastal area of Sri Lanka also have been identified as a main destination of Blue Whales. Some other Whale watching destinations in Sri Lanka consist of the Alankuda Beach in Kalpitiya along the West Coast and Trincomalee along the East Coast. Destinations such as Aluthgama, Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa are also known for the sighting of whales. There are 80 species of whales that have been identified in all oceans, while 26 of them have been recorded up to date in and around the seas of Sri Lanka. 

There are other types of whales also available in Mirissa area. One of them are known as Sperm whales. May be due to its shape it has got this name.
The Sperm Whale is the largest species of toothed whale, with adult bulls (males) growing to be about 15–18 metres long, and weighing about 45–70 tonnes. Sperm whale hast the biggest brain of any animal.

Also the Fin Whales are freely available in southern coastal area. The Fin whale is the second longest whale and the sixth largest living animal after the blue whale. The American naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews called the fin whale "the greyhound of the sea" because of its great speed when chased and slender build.

Sri Lanka has becoming popular as a destination for these giant mammals and most tourists visit Sri Lanka to be witness of the beauty of this beautiful island and the beauty of the sea enriched with different types of living beings. 

It’s a blessing to sea this beautiful giant mammal in water and I was memorized with it beauty. This shy giants hardly face to cameras but they always say bye from their beautiful fin. 

If you wish to be witness of the world largest mammal in water, Never wait till you get an opportunity, make an opportunity to see them since those whales are available during season only. Otherwise you have to wait may be another year or more to see them since they often change their diving destination due to various reasons.

My Journal - A Day at Madu River

A Day at Madu River with Lanka Sawari

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Madu River is famous for it's beauty due to natural mangrove in the islands. Madu River is ashallow water body in south west in Sri Lanka which has 64 for islands in it. Most Islands are in medium size and only 3 island have the civilization. The largest island has around 225 families while the other islands has 15 - 30 families. 

Madu River considered as the second Largest Wetland in Sri Lanka. 

There are so many legends about Madu River which says the importance the river. During the pre colonization period Madu ganga was used as one of the main water ways connecting cities and ancient Sinhala Kingdoms.

We started our Journey to visit Madu River on 29th of October. Our Group consist of 15 people including my self and husband. The Madu River Journey should be done in boats which are freely available near Balapitiya Bridge and We found our boats after going little further to the inland. 

We had o use 02 boats which are fully occupied with life jackets and we have been given instructions to ware them till the end of the journey. So we started our journey from the sea side. We started to sail towards the country side. 

We started travel slowly and the boat started to speed up. We had to bend down since there were two bridges where they are in our head levels due to high water levels. 

Then we entered in to a large mangrove Cave! We all were amazed for the beauty of that, It was dark inside and is mysterious inside. For a moment I fest as I'm in a rain forest. 

The main mangrove species found in Madu River is Rhizophora" . Rhizophora apuculata and Rhizophora mucronata are groves rapidly in the river banks.  The mangroves act as a bio-lock to the area in giving protection to the variety of aquatic plants and animal life. They provide a home for different kinds of aquatic plants, crabs, shrimps, fish, various invertebrates and other animal life including crocodiles .

All were enjoying the mangrove area and used to take photographs. There were  mangrove caves which we went through and it was an unforgettable experience for all. 

Then again we started our ride peacefully. 

It was not just a boat ride. We were fortunate to see so many new things which we have never seen before.

A King Coconut Stall on the River

A old women in a boat who has collected fire woods.

Then the time to have a fish therapy. There were tanks built on the river which contains lots of Fish.You can put your legs to the tanks and let them to bite your legs. First it was itching and then we have get used to it and some kind of a soothing power included there. We felt relaxed when we looking at the fish moving as a herd here and there. The owners of the place spread some fish food and then they were gathering to the ares of the food available. 

Also we were lucky enough to ride this traditions boat at the Fish therapy premises. 

Then we again headed towards. Everywhere we found was green colour water and small, small islands. 

Then we stepped in to an island which contains Cinnamon. That island is known as the Cinnamon Island. The main income of the villagers are Cinnamon. We got an opportunity to talk with few villagers and got to know village has around 15 families and most of them are depending on displaying how cinnamon and cinnamon oil originating to the foreigners and sell the products to them. They use boats as their main transportation method.

A person explain us how cinnamon grows, how to peel the bark and how to extract the oil and the equipment which used in different steps. 

Meanwhile our thirst was quenched by a nice cinnamon tea served there. 

He got the best products of cinnamon which was ready to sell and some people were buying those to take home. Also while we were in a one cinnamon hut, there were another 03 huts which were full with foreigners. We noticed that all were enjoying the cinnamon tea. 

Our next island was Suwa Samadhi Ashramaya which has a newly built temple. There was a small rain when we were in the middle of the river and we took it as a blessing and rushed to the temple. As per the guide, there is a monk in the temple and some constructions were going on.

That island was called as "Nooru Gala" which has a large rock bed, The pagoda had built on the rock bed and we found a pole with stone writing ( Sel Lipi) at the top of the rock bed which shows that there is a historical value in the island. 

Our next destination was to visit koth Duwa temple but due to bas weather we were unable to go there. 

There are 03 islands which has temples in the area and the largest one is the island which has koth duwa temple. There are so many ancient legends about the temple. 

This temple is located in Kothduwa Island which is believed to have once sheltered the sacred relic of the tooth of the Buddha, circa 340 CE.The Bodhi tree on the island was planted from a bud of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi by Deva Pathiraja, minister to King Parakramabahu IV. Also this has been a location for a famous tele drama "Swayan Jatha"

Our next Destination was "Satha Pahe Duwa" which is the smallest island on the river. Small Devalaya built in the island but currently it has been destroyed. 

Then we came to the island which we decided to stop for lunch. Our aim was to spend little time there, relax and enjoy the beauty of the area while having meals. 

The BBQ operation was started. we brought seasoned chicken and sausages and were lucky to buy some fresh fish before we getting in to the boat in the morning.

There were so many cooks who were expert in doing BBQ.

Then we had our packet meals there with BBQ Chicken, Fish and Sausages. All were enjoying the food and gossips together. 

On the way we able to see Kraals ( Ja Kotu) Which designed specially for shrimps and small fish. 

It was evening when we return back to the boat yard and we were again fortunate to buy some fresh fish to take home. All in that area were very friendly and supportive.

We finished our journey by about 4.30 in the evening thinking to return back soon!!

My Journal - Whales Watching in Mirissa

The Long Waited Day Journal

We all have our dreams. It’s us whom can realize our dreams in an effective way to the others as well. Travelling with an unknown group was our dream. And to make sure the entire requirement being cared by us. Yes. We started from step one. So many inquiries for the Facebook post we published. Some were questioning about the date and some were scared for the vessel ride. But enthusiasm leads few people to join with us for our very first whales watching event in Mirissa. This was an occasion to understand about the people and ego. Sometimes the importance we had for this was just a joke to some people and we faced those sarcastic smiles in a humble manner. After a small advertisement of the event, there were so many inquiries on Facebook and several phone calls, we made a good crew for our very first tour. There were few last minute cancellations which made us to think twice whether we are going to continue this or not but finally wedecided not to take step back. We were lucky enough to have free newspaper article on daily mirror without even knowing.  Finally our crew consists of 15 pax including two of us and we were ready to start our journey.

Luxury coach started the journey from Kalutara by 3.00am. Our first Members were Pathum and Savindya who were knew to us from another event which had last year. As soon as they are on board Gimantha, the photographer joined us from Mt. Lavinia. So many talks and gossips being exchanged till Vijay, Shubha and their son get in to the bus. They were warmly welcome by the crew. Then the next turn was Pratiek, Chandrima and their cute little daughters. They were welcomed by Vijay and Shubha since they knew each other. Again a gossip chapter started till we get our next member. Praveen and Vodathi got in to the bus from Bamba and we headed to the kottawa. 

The last two members were picked up from there.  Around 5am we were fortunate to enter the southern express way. Taken little break at the service point and some were refreshed with a coffee. By 6.30 in the morning we came to the Mirissa Harbor. 

We had to walk through the fisheries boats and fish market to find our vessel. No sooner we got in to the vessel, we were served with Milo Packets, Egg Buns, Sugar Buns, yogurts and finally some pills for sea sick. Also they provide us life jackets and we had to wear them throughout the journey. Sea was rough that day and vessel started to swing. It was a natural roller coaster ride for all of us.

We were together with so many nationalities; Sri Lankan, Indian, Russian, British, Chinese and Germans and all were thrilled with the rough sea. Some had to suffered from sea sick and some were really alright. After spending two hours in the deep sea, the message came to our boat saying some other boat was witness the whale. Our boat used to rush to the directions he got and within few minutes we were fortunate to see the world largest mammal in the sea in our naked eyes. It was a wonderful moment. All were started to shout and clap.

 It was a nice show in front of our eyes. The big whale boy started to show off in front of our eyes. He started to spread water up and it was a nice thing to see.

 Water blow to the air for about thirty seconds. Then again he calmly moved a bit and suddenly disappeared after showing his beautiful fin. this happened several times and we were so lucky to see this big beauty very closely four times. Then we returned back to the land with happy memory and tired faces. Since  our intention was to have a sea bath we have selected a sea area near weligama, 

which was calm in a side and tourist area in another side. Meanwhile our lunch was prepared at Brizo, weligama which was located in front of Marriot Hotel. Most enjoyed the sea bath while others enjoying the photography and collecting sea shells. When we go back to Brizo, our food was ready at the restaurant. It was Chicken Biriyani, Red Rice, Chicken Curry, Fish ambul Thiyal, Dhal Curry, Brinjal Moju, Beans Curry, Chili paste and Papadam. 

Food was very tasty and as all were hungry, we had a heavy meal. Lunch was ended up with fresh cut fruits and different flavours of ice creams.

 It was a time to good sleep now but we keep awake while we drive back to home. we dropped everyone to the places where they come from and after we dropped the last person Gimantha, we started to ease our breath by believing we gave them an unforgettable day! Thank You guys! Pathum, Savindi, Gimantha, Prateik, Chandrima, Vijay, Shubha, Praveen, Vodathi, Dishan, you all were became a great streangth for us.  This journey will not be successful without you guys. Thanks a lot again. Hope you enjoyed the day with Lanka Sawari!