A stroll along this golden beach flecked with black sand, lunch at Lucky’s on their raised,palm thatched dining terrace overlooking the sea. This is definitely the best food we have found in Arugam Bay, by a long way. The prawn curry is to die for.
Late afternoon we take a tuk tuk through the back streets Pottuvil to the Pottuvil lagoon for an ‘eco’ tour. We are punted around this wonderful wetland on a raft made from planks laid across two narrow canoe hulls. The lagoon is a mix of mangroves and reeds and is bursting with wildlife including crocodiles, water monitors and birds galore – are real twitcher’s paradise. Apparently the crocodiles don’t attack men only steal the fish from their nets, which I guess must be true given the number of fishermen that stand in the water casting their nets. I wouldn’t want to put it the test though. Only the sound of the water gently lapping the hulls interupts the calls of the birds in this unspoilt sanctuary.
More curious children at the landing stage to greet our return, some overcoming evident shyness to come and take a closer look at these strange foreigners and all eager to have their photos taken and to peer at the result.