{"id":7990,"date":"2013-02-12T21:27:23","date_gmt":"2013-02-12T13:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/day.lat\/lon\/?p=7990"},"modified":"2026-10-08T16:35:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T08:35:53","slug":"final-drive-up-the-west-coast-to-colombo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/day.lat\/lon\/2013\/02\/12\/final-drive-up-the-west-coast-to-colombo\/","title":{"rendered":"Final Drive up the West Coast to Colombo"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Tropical
Tropical Palm-Fringed Beach Along Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the last day of driving, Francis took me on a whirlwind tour along Sri Lanka’s scenic west coast. Along the way, we stopped at a few beaches and tourist sites, including Galle Fort and Galle Lighthouse, as well as the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project. <\/p>\n

\"Two
Two Domestic Cattle Resting on Sandy Beach \u2013 Southern Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Traditional
Traditional Sri Lankan Fishing Boats on a Sandy Beach \u2013 Southern Coast, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Traditional
Traditional Colourful Fishing Boats Anchored in Coastal Waters \u2013 Southern Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort was a 16th-century Portuguese fortress built in 1588 and expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century. It has a lighthouse, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved Dutch-colonial architecture.<\/p>\n

\"Galle
Galle Fort Ramparts and Lighthouse Overlooking the Indian Ocean \u2013 Galle, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Meeran
Meeran Jumma Mosque (Galle Fort Mosque) \u2013 Galle, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Narrow
Narrow Street Lined with Historic Colonial Buildings \u2013 Galle Fort, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Amangalla
Amangalla Hotel (Former New Oriental Hotel) \u2013 Galle Fort, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Traditional
Traditional Dutch Colonial-Era Building with Red-Tiled Roof \u2013 Galle Fort, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Traditional
Traditional Whitewashed Doorway with Flowering Yellow Bougainvillea \u2013 Galle Fort, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Leafy
Leafy Tree Canopy Overlooking Historic Buildings \u2013 Galle Fort, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Galle
Galle Fort Ramparts and Lighthouse Overlooking the Indian Ocean \u2013 Galle, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About 50 kms north was the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project. They protect turtle eggs by incubating them in hatcheries and caring for injured turtles. They also release hatchlings into the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

\"Baby
Baby Sea Turtle \u2013 Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Baby
Baby Sea Turtles \u2013 Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Final Sri Lanka Drive: Yala National Park to Colombo, Sri Lanka<\/strong>
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Map of the route \u201cFinal Drive up the West Coast to Colombo\u201d: 257,141 m, 494 m of climbing and 475 m of descent, elevation between -12 m and 30 m, time 08:05:12. It starts at 6.28457, 81.29058 and ends at 6.84048, 79.86666 (latitude, longitude).<\/p>