වෙරළ දිගේ 1 – Walk along the beach from Thoduwawa to Chilaw -18 Km

Year and Month	22nd March 2015
Number of Days	01
Crew	Asanka and Myself
Accommodation	Not applicable
Transport	By Bus, Bike and Walking
Activities	Beach walk, Photography, Sightseeing, Share the fishermen’s experiences
Weather	Sunny and little bit windy
Route	Wennappuwa->Mahawewa->Thoduwawa->Chilaw->Mahawewa.
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Start the walk as early as possible. Apply a sun cream & wear a cap/hat for sun protection. Wear a top with long sleeves, if possible. Walking with sandals would be safe in some areas & walking barefoot help to keep your legs relax. Need about 2ltr of water per person & enough food items. Do not ignore the fishermen during the walk & do not associate with them too much. Try to cross the lagoon with the help of a boat. Do not use theppama (තෙප්පම) if you are not confident with it. It is not safe to have a sea bath everywhere. Check with villagers before you get in to water.
Author	Chamara
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I don’t know why I’m too lazy to write trip reports but, after 2 years I decided to share my experience of my 1st beach walk. Finding a travel partner for this walk was a real problem as many travelers think as it is boring to walk long distance along the beach but, for me it is boring as far as our mind doesn’t feel free to enjoy the journey even under extremely hot & salty condition.
Although, my friend Asanka is not used to travel regularly, joined me. Early morning on a Sunday we rode to Mahawewa junction along A4 road. From there we caught the bus to Thoduwawa which was our starting point of the walk.

Thoduwawa fishery harbor

Love the way he looks

up side down

Along the beach

Fishing alone

A captive

No more chance to live

Rest in Peace

Most of the fishermen in this area are catholics in religion hence, not going for fishing on Sundays. However, they are used to repair their fishing nets, boats etc. normally on Sunday. During the walk we didn’t forget to meet fishermen and talk with them to share their experiences & terminologies they use in their society.

Repairing fishing net

Sunday is like this

Fishing net repairing

Voice of America, Iranawila

Chilaw beach

Super stars in the beach

With his grand ma

Dried Puffer fish

Sunday fun

After reaching Chilaw we searched the possibility to cross Chilaw lagoon & estuary of Deduru oya as our main plan was to proceed up to Muthupanthiya beach. We were told by few people that it is possible to cross the estuary of Deduru oya as it was flowing with low water level. There was no any boat near the lagoon to get the help to cross it. Finally, 15 year old two children volunteered to help us to move to other end by a theppama (තෙප්පම). Though, it was bit risky to cross the lagoon without life jackets we had to step in to the theppama as we left with no other option. After 20 minutes we safely reached the other bank of the lagoon & walked about 2 km to reach estuary of Deduru oya. Unfortunately, Deduru oya was flowing with a huge water level giving us no chance to cross it.

Chilaw lagoon

Waiting to help us

Moving to other end

Its familiar to him

Our little heroes

Wow	Estuary of Deduru oya

We turned back towards the lagoon but, without a help of a boat we were unable to go the other end. After 30 minutes a team of fishermen who were heading towards sea by their boat noticed us & realized we need their help.