Bentota used to be a place to rest on the way to Galapatha Temple which legend claims is linked by a maze of subterranean tunnels with all other temples in the area. Today Bentota is big on sea sports and activities; so you may well need a holiday after you get back! On Bentota lagoons calm waters you can enjoy everything from jet skiing and windsurfing to wakeboarding and canoeing. Boat trips up the river and deep sea fishing trips depend on weather conditions. Many independent diving schools operate along the beach front during diving season, between December and March/April.

But if thats too much like work, take a brief respite to see the results of a labour of love at the very private Brief, a Jardin tranquille near Kalawila. Sculpted over forty years, it was anything but a brief diversion for Capability Bawa- brother of the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa who designed some of the most enchanting buildings in Asia, including Lunuganga with an equally magical garden. Brief has a Japanese garden, a Folly, several walled gardens and hidden surprises as well as a private museum of Art inside the house and out.

This beautiful island country is the land of astonishing diversity highly acclaimed as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Asia. Being so small in size, it is truly blessed by many fascinating attractions that no other island in this world offers to its visitors. It is endowed with charming natural beauty, sun kissed beaches, rich culture and heritage, wildlife parks, museums, art galleries, colorful festivals, world famous gems, etc. More of all the world class hospitality, amiable climate, mouth watering cuisines and easy accessibility have truly made Sri Lanka a great tourists destination and tourist's paradise.

Driving along from Ahangama, you begin to notice the famous Stilt fishermen perched like curious-looking birds all the way towards Weligama. At one end of the sleepy town, stands a megalith to the memory of Kustaraja- the Leper king- who became miraculously cured of his dreaded disease by consuming copious amounts of King Coconut water. The catamarans are a good way to grab a ride round this picturesque bay, and fishermen are most obliging in between fishing trips. At the prettiest end of the bay, you can wade out at low tide to She-devil Island or Taprobane, which appears like an islet out of a James Bond movie. It was built in the 30’s by Count de Mauny, a French landscape architect who created this legendary folly on a piece of land which was originally a cobra dump. The octaganal white villa has attracted everyone from Noel Coward, Paul Bowles and Robin Maugham and is currently featured in Hip Hotels.

If you head towards Mirissa, a picture-postcard beach for wave surfing and swimming, you won`t need any further entertaining; but if you are trying to keep up with the Indiana Joneses, the Snake Farm (14 kms from Weligama) has 15 different varieties of snake, some of them are extremely large and serious-looking pythons, and Tarantulas which were probably displaced when Count de Mauny sent them packing!