Beaches in the SW - December

hey all,

we're going to the southwest coastline in december - precisely Dec 15 - 18. I need some advice.

• I need some advice on choosing the right town. so far thought about Bentota and Hikkaduwa... we're looking for a bit of everything. Good beach, good resorts, water sports, and nightlife - if at all
• Need to watch 2 big games on 16th Dec - sunday. Arsenal Vs Chelsea, Liverpool Vs Man Utd. So is there any pub/bar where we could watch the game with some beer and mad Englishmen in the Bentota - Hikkaduwa - in between area?
• Need some tips on Motorcycle renting. What's the right price per day and where can we get a good bargain?
• while we're at it, any non-touristy place you guys had a chance to go that you would want to tell me about??

peace!

hI Check out the Asian Jewel on the lagoon, there food is great, its run by a great english couple, and the guy is a mad footy fan and he as the footy on out in the verandah, so you can keep one eye on the game, while looking over the fantastic view, great english fish and chips, bit hard to find, but have a look at www.asian-jewel.com
they will help you with anyhting

thanks guys. So Hikkaduwa it is... ill think about all this and come back with more doubts :)

Base yourself in or near Hikkaduwa as it is make easier to travel up and down the coast. Plenty of places to hire motor bikes too, but I don't no anything about prices. Best chance of your "need to watch 2 games on 16th Dec" is at Blue Note in Hikkaduwa. I have stayed at the BN for few times but not for watching the TV! I just liked their simple cabanas and the access to the beach. The owner is a German and so he has European/ German TV. But do check with him that if the games will be shown. As for, non touristy places, ride the bikes inland you will find yourself in amidst of Sri Lankan life. You can't get any better than that! Here is the all important link:http://www.eureka.lk/bluenote/
Regards
S

Thanks a lot S. I'd surely go check out the BN. I know TV wouldn't be all that important when you travel but this is quite a short trip for me (only 4 days!)... so i cant get all that outta routine... and i dont get to watch football regularly too :(
we'd be staying in hikkaduwa for the 4 days. hopefully we get the bikes so that we could cover the places around. I heard the singharaja wildlife reserve is quite close by. do you have any idea about getting there. can we manage a day trip?

thanks a lot
peace.

ravenheart - have you thought about Unawatuna ? The beach is better, the places are better... and you're sure to get the game on TV. It's only an extra 40 minute drive from Hikkaduwa.

It can be done but will be a very long and tiring day(very early start & late return).Sinharaja is primaryly a rainforest reserve. if you are in to walking and trekking it is an ideal place with lots of leeches for company! Considering,that you only have four days try to stay around the coastal area. Assuming that you will be hiring a bike, here are few suggestions, go South East as far as Tangalla (95km from Hik) and stay the night. Next day come back up along the coast stopping at Dikwella, Matara,Weligama, Ahangama(stilt fishermen),Unawatuna and Galle (Old Ducth Fort). Snorkel in the coral gardens in Hikkaduwa. If you stay at BN DO NOT swim that part of the beach very strong rip currents! Visit the famous Turtle hatchery in Kosgoda which is a few Km up from Hikkaduwa. Take a inland trip to see village life. Don't try to do too much and also don't forget you got two important games to watch!
Hope that this a help. Enjoy
Regards
S

I know what you're saying... I guess we'll give the forest reserve a pass this time. Anyways, I have done rainforests before and been breakfast for leeches! (i was taught about ciggarettes and salt later :) Cool, we'd do the rides as you suggested. Now, the bikes become all important. And are there any historic sites along the coastline that we shouldn't miss? thanks a bunch for your help S !

There are some few temples near Martara and Dikwella (50m seated Buddha). And there is a rock/cave temple in Mulkirigala further inland from Tangalle (10-15Km?). Worth visiting if you got time on hand. However, none of these are as ancient as the temples in Anuradapura or Polonnaruwa. In Dondara, you will find an Old light house, which is the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. I can't remember whether you are allowed to climb it. Thats about it. Hope you will catch a few grainy pictures of the football somewhere along the coast, whereas I will be cheering Liverpool early on and later Arsenal in glorious HD!!
Regards
S

Hahahah... I do hope i catch the game in better quality than that! Anyways am gonna be Kop all over for the liverpool match and then a bit subdued for the London derby... am not that much of a gunners fan... so i guess ill settle for a draw. wouldn't mind a Terry header stopping the gunner's trot for kicks though. ;) anways.. thanks a lot.

guys,
we're going on the 15th of this month. and haven't booked the acco yet. you reckon we can go get one easily? or is it impossible? because we really cant decide right now and i have this feeling that there should be quite a few good places that are not listed in the internet. what say?

Hi Just left Hikkaduwa 10 minutes a go few tourists about but everywhere still has rooms. bear in mind the English Criket team are in Galle on the 18th to 22nd December, so rooms maybe few and far between, anyway im sat on the verandah at Asian Jewel hotel on the lagoon, in a pair of shorts drinking a cool lion asian-jewel.com

Good luck you will have no problem finding rooms