East coast off season

---

So ended up staying in Aragum bay for 4 nights. Stayed in the happy panda guesthouse. Amazing little place just back from the beach, little courtyard with hammocks and cushions! As its off season east coast now, hardly anyone about at all. Only me at my place, basically had a house for 12 pound a night!

Still little shops open though and most of the guesthouses and a few extra restaurants. Had a couple of casual cooking lessons from the lady over the road, more than happy to let me have a look. Pretty much only cooking for me anyway!

Walked both directions along the beach.... Morning activity ...tick.... Lounged in my hammock and finally got my book finished. Took a surf lesson for a couple of hours, nice easy waves before I go down south. Lots of afternoon tea and cake with my host Vidya, always making me juice snacks and nice food!

Strange place off season, wierd vibes going down the main street later on. Sure its safe etc but something odd. Lots of local guys outside the wine shop. Which is also odd as hardly any places have beer... Nice green tea for me at my house it is then. Probably not even notiscable when the place is over run with surfers though, season time.

Feeling the need for some movement again took the bus to Monoragala. Couple of hours and is one of the main transport hubs on the east. Found a bus direct to matara, another 5 1/2 hrs... Pretty windy way. Bus driver knocking back the arak on the way... Seriously!

But arrived in one piece, back in civilisation again! Nice promenade, very clean, wide road, tons of traffic! After a refreshing ginger beer decided on another bus rather than the lazy tuktuk option. So many people around, funny how you forget.

So arrived in Marissa, 10hrs later, inc. A couple of hours waiting, for a grand total of 389lkr... About 2 pounds! Loads of tourists.... Definitely reached the south.

Wandered into the jungle behind the beach, first place no room so sat down and had a beer! Quick scout as it was getting dark, found another place. In no mood for searching but turned out to be good!

---

Photos

View towards Aragum bay
.... Deserted

Veggie rotti
.... eaten a few of these by now!

Sri lankan sweets
Courtesy of my host.... Fresh coconut, semolina, 1 espresso, cooked in condensed milk and then deep fried! Amazingly sweet.... And 'no sugar' apparently

Local Bus
bag strapped up, incense smoking away, blessing the bus before take off!!