Travellers Home, in Tissa has been a great disappointment. We have grown use to the lack of maintainance and low-level grubbiness of budget guest houses in Sri Lanka; dirty walls in the bedrooms, grimy bathroom tiles and sinks that could benefit from a good scrub with Ajax. This lack of attention to cleanliness fortunately doesn’t extend to bed linen and towels which can’t be faulted. Travellers Home, despite its recommendation in Lonely Planet, is no different in this regard, but whereas most guest houses are helpful and friendly, here the attitude is very off-hand. We complained several times that the loo didn’t flush and the tap on the basin was broken, but despite empty promises nothing was done, whilst preparing a rice and curry dinner for for one was just too much trouble. On the upside we had a lovely view over the rice paddies from our ground floor terrace.
It’s a straightforward and relatively short journey to get from Tissa to Goyambokka just 3km outside Tangalle. We don’t have to wait long to pick up a bus just outside the guest house which takes us along the coast road to Tangalle and then a short tuk tuk ride to Green Garden Cabanas at Goyambokka. No need to worry about finding the bus stop either, all buses here can be hailed from anywhere on the roadside, making travelling ultra convenient, providing the busis not already crowded to overflowing. Fortunately on this occasion there is plenty of room, but we have to pay for an extra seat for our luggage!
Green Garden Cabanas has four wooden floored cabanas on stilts and a stone cottage that wouldn’t look out of place in the Yorkshire Dales, all set in lush gardens with a a variety of palms and trees. Two pretty chestnut ponies wander the grounds and seem to come and go down the little lane outside as they please. There is also a very good dog howing choir in the early evening!
The completely deserted beach is just a couple of minutes walk away. At this time of year all the beaches have huge crashing breakers churning up a mixture of white foam and sand. Hart to believe that in the high season the water is perfectly calm. A walk along this small cove takes us across the point to another small beach beyond. Even here we are stalked by tuk tuk driver – the word has gone out that tourists are about – touting for business.
There are some seriously vicious ants here and I get a nasty nip from from one of these agressive not-so-little mini beasties as I’m hanging out our washing. Much more painful than a bee, or even a hornet’s, sting and much more long-lasting.
Food here is excellent but the portions are enormous!