The south-west coast of Sri Lanka attracts countless visitors with its unspoiled beaches, colourful reefs, and laid back atmosphere. The town of Koggala is a popular destination among both tourists and locals due to its proximity to the beach and the Koggala Lake. Several Hotels in Koggala like the South Lake Resort are situated around or on the banks of the lake and as a result offer various water based activities to try like boat rides, fishing and bird watching tours around the lake.
Aside from water sports, another great way to spend a day on the lake is by taking a boat ride to one of the many islands that dot the lake, like Cinnamon Island which gives you the chance to visit a family run, working cinnamon plantation where you can learn all about the process that goes into making this exquisite spice, from start to finish. The island, located in the middle of the lake, has been run by the same family for many generations and they continue to live and work on the plantation.
Workers demonstration how the cinnamon trees are cut and the bark skillfully scraped off to produce greenish strips that then go through a step by step process before finally being dried and curled into the familiar shape that is seen in most stores. There are also demonstrations behind the process of refining it into the highly valuable, aromatic cinnamon oil. There’s also a small herbal shop located on the island where visitors can browse through cinnamon-based products and learn about the ways they can be used for treating various health issues. The charming island offers up a nice change from the beaches and other “usual” activities plus, provides guests with a look into the harvesting and production of a globally loved spice.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
