Galapita

Went on a little trip couple of weeks back to a place called Galapita, midway along the Buttala-Kataragama road. The place is called the Galapita Healing Garden, one of those one with nature eco-tourism places.

The place is so peaceful and quiet, it’s an ideal place for some R&R. The original vegetation is still pretty much intact, so there are plenty of trees to provide shade and to keep the place cool. The Menik Ganga runs through the property and provides a nice place for a dip.

There is a villa type bungalow which can sleep 8-10 people, and smaller cottages for singles and couples. You can’t really call them cottages because the whole place follows open architecture, minimum amount of walls are built. Even the villa we stayed in is open on 3 sides. Even the bathrooms are roofless. There is no electricity provided for the cottages either, so it’s lanterns all the way. It may not be the ideal for all, but I loved it. Three meals are included in the price, and it’s all vegetarian. If you want, you can provide meat and they’ll cook it for you, but once you taste those dishes, you won’t even miss the meat.

Galapita Healing Garden

One of the smaller cottages built on top of the rock

Menik Ganga - there is another cottage on the right shore. The water is so great. Once you go in you never want to come out.

The Menik Ganga carves a path through the rock.

There is a suspension bridge to get across the river

Tree house - you can sleep here.

The larger cottage which we stayed. This is the side and the back, all open. The river is right at the back doorstep.

The cottage from the front.

Another smaller cottage, the bedroom on the top level

Another smaller cottage

Another smaller cottage

Antique horse carving

Crazy horse

The Spa

Nil Manel

The sluice gates of the Weheragala tank, which was created by blocking the Menik Ganga

The Weheragala reservoir, with dead trees sticking out.

Diyaluma falls, on the way

Sleeping house guest