Throughout Sri Lanka, especially along the coastal strip from Colombo to Galle, ropes running between the palm-leaf tapers of coconut trees draw the attention of observant visitors. These are the roosts of "toddy-tapers" young men who climb high into the trees to obtain the sweet, milky sap of the coconut blossom.

Which forms the river boundary between western & southern Provinces; about 4 km upriver form the tourist settlement is the Galapatha Vihara. This 12th century temple has few remains, save a carved gateway along private inscription recording a gift of lands & Slaves to the monastery on the site.

Famous for its turtle hatchery operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Established in 1981 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction. The hatcheries pay fishermen for eggs that they collect at night along the long sand beach. (2 km)

Visitors are shown the huge tanks filled with newly born but lively hatchlings. Having been fed all will be taken to the sea & released when they are 2-4 days old. They are not always released during the sager hours of darkness. All October to April the main laying season, some eggs can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year.

Home of septuagenarian landscape artist late Bevis Bawa. The sprawling house in the midst of this tranquil oasis is a veritable museum of art, containing Bawa's own works (he is a well known sculptor), and the work of friends, (such as George Keyt & Donald Friends).

The late Bevis Bawa, the landscape architecture, created the splendid "Brief Garden" off Kalawila between 1929 &1989, writer and sculptor the home refers to a court brief. It is an enchanting garden on a hillside with wonderful views. Bawa's private collection of paintings, sculptures photographs and furniture (many colonial antiques), provides an added incentive to visit the bird-filled 5 acre landscaped garden with cool, shady woodland paths, many nature specimen trees, exotic flowering plants and interesting water features highly recommended.

Kande Viharaya is a 12th century Buddhist temple, which is situated very close to Taj Exotica.