The coastal town of Negombo is famous for its golden sandy beaches, popular and busy fish market and the Dutch Canal. With many options for a hotel in Negombo, tourists can choose from upper class accommodation to budget options such as Hotel J Negombo, which is located at convenient location in the city.
The Dutch Canal, once used to be the main supply route during the era when the Dutch ruled the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Under the Dutch administration, this canal was a major route to the inland town, old churches and the fishing villages. The canal measures to a length of 100km and begins from Hendala and ends at Pamunugama. The canal was initially built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and is still being used even today.
The canal flows in to the Muthurajawela Marsh, which is known to be the Swamp of Royal Treasure due to the rich flora and fauna that can be found here. The marsh borders the Kelani Rivera and the Negombo Lagoon, and those on a boat ride will be able to spot many types of animals from a slithering crocodile or water monitor swimming through the calm waters, monkeys hanging from low branches, countless types of fish and birds such as egrets, herons etc. There are said to be about 209 types of fauna and 192 types of flora, which excludes the 102 kinds of birds that were discovered. The marsh was declared a sanctuary in 1996 by the government of Sri Lanka due to its abundant variety and bio diversity.
A boat ride through the waters of the canal will even give you a rare insight in to the lifestyles of the fishing villages around the area. Tourists can even visit the Muthurajawela marsh centre which provides a trained professional guide to give you a tour of the area. The most ideal time to cruise along the canal is either early morning or at dusk, so the heat of the sun won’t wear you off!
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
