BarCamp Mumbai - KJ Somaiya CoE

Date: 11.02.07
Venue: K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering , Vidyavihar (E), Mumbai - 77

I just read about this stuff. Good to hear that my college will be hosting a BarCamp event. Me and a friend, Siddharth Doshi are planning it.

In today's age of Information Explosion and Web 2.0, the BarCamp concept does not come as a surprise to me. I hope that the industry-academia interaction improves because of these events.

Anyway... everyone's invited to the event. Please share this info with as many of your friends and professionals. For more information, click on the above image.

A drive down Galle Road, Sri Lanka

This is the first post of my Sri Lanka Travelogue (March-May 2003) Keep watching for updates. I'll be uploading more snaps soon. Here's a nice interactive map for those geographically inclined:

Sri Lanka Map





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A drive down Galle Road, Sri Lanka

This article is reminiscent of the vivid memories down the pristine South-Western Sri Lankan Coast, before being ravaged by the Tsunami.

For the uninformed, Galle Road is the major road along the south-western coastline of Sri Lanka, starting from downtown Colombo, right to the fort town of Galle, on the southern tip of the island. If you want to have a taste of what coastal Sri Lanka is all about, this is the drive you probably want to undertake.

The entire drive is scenic, for, most of the time, it runs parallel to the Indian Ocean. The ocean looks beautiful in light blue during clear sunny days and gray when the weather is overcast. The drive becomes even more comforting since the roads are good.

After leaving Colombo and the suburbs of Dehiwala, you encounter the coastal villages of Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Ambalangoda and finally, the popular beach of Hikkaduwa. Marine life enthusiasts can visit a sea turtle hatchery along the way. The owners are very friendly and would happily talk about the different species of rare turtles. You can enjoy a boat ride on the backwaters of river Balapitiya, at Bentota, amidst the mangroves and woods.

Hikkaduwa beach, now bouncing back to normalcy, used to be well maintained and tourists could enjoy glass-bottom boat rides, observing the rich coral life. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving used to be quite popular as well. The local guides are very amicable. One can choose from a variety of hotels around the beach, suited for travellers with a low to high budget.

Further down the road, one could find secluded beaches on the way to Galle. The next stop, Unawatuna Beach, to the south-east of Galle - was one of the world's twelve best beaches, before the Tsunami struck. The beach is nestled at the edge of the beautiful bay and surrounded by thick coconut plantations and hilly areas, making it a perfect getaway. One could enjoy water sports, snorkeling and scuba diving in the clear blue water. Development efforts are still on to bring back the old charm.

One can indulge in his/her gastronomic tastes in the various small restaurants that dot the coastal towns, serving authentic Sri Lankan fare, including Sea Food as well as local delicacies, like Hoppers. The sea food at the shacks along Unawatuna beach is delicious and worth trying out.

The fort town of Galle used to be a haven for tourists seeking old-world Dutch architectural marvels. A lighthouse at the edge of the fort offers a wide angle view of the bay and the Indian ocean. One can also have a dip in the clear and shallow waters of the bay.
A major part of the fort was wiped out by the Tsunami. For the spiritually inclined, there is the Dutch Reformed Church.

One can continue exploring the southern coast from Galle visiting port towns like Matara, Hambantota and the Yala National Park, each having its own distinctive features or drive back to Colombo, en route visiting beaches like Bentota and Mt. Lavinia, ending the trip with a positive note.