Mirissa - a perfect beach at last

Our favourite table at our favourite restaurant
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When we were at the Galle Fort Hotel the owner had warned us that Unawatuna would be a disappointment, and he was right.  However, he also told us that the beach we were looking for was a few more kilometres down the road at Mirissa. So after a depressing day in Unawatuna we jumped on a local bus at the huge cost of 15p (something we would have to stop doing soon - see later blogs) and within an hour we were booked into the Paradise Beach Club at Mirissa and standing on a beautiful, clean and EMPTY beach. Bliss.

Local tsunami damage
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This part of Sri Lanka had taken the full force of the tsunami and everywhere there were shocking reminders of that awful tragedy. In fact our hotel, Paradise Beach Club, had almost been washed away. They had 25 cabanas totally destroyed and there were still reminders everywhere including paths that lead nowhere (where there used to be a cabana) and foundations dotted around. Pretty much everyone we spoke to had heartbreaking stories to tell.

Mirissa was exactly what we were looking for and apart from a couple of fun but traumatising bus journeys to the local towns to get money out we did nothing for six days apart from sunbathe, swim, read and (our favourite bit) eat fresh seafood in the local cafes on the beach. Heaven!

Simon takes an evening stroll
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However, after a week of this decadent lifestyle it was time to keep moving so eventually we packed up and walked our way back up to the main road to attempt to slow a bus down enough so we could jump on with our backpacks and head to our next destination - Tangalla.