Negombo is surrounded by an ocean that teems with marine life; it is a region that is predominantly populated with families of fishermen. The city is surrounded by numerous fishing villages that are etched on surreal backdrops. They boast a tranquil setting and the villages let you get the truest glimpse of the local life on a tropical island – you would see, despite their daily struggles, people lead a peaceful life. If you consider exploring and witnessing their livelihood in true colours, there is one village in particular that you must visit. This village stands out from the rest as a popular travel destination as it also plays host to immaculate scenery and ever so friendly and happy people – the village is known by the locals as Lellama and it is indeed worth paying a visit.
Visits to this village have been made part of many excursions and travel experiences from local tour operators and the best thing to do is opting to a tour that includes a cycling tour with this village in its itinerary. The tour lets you get the most authentic instinct of the life of local fishermen and it will indeed be an experience you would cherish for a long time. It is recommended that you visit the village in the early morning hours during which the fishermen bring their day’s worth of catch to the shores. You could also see villagers hauling huge fishing nets from the ocean that brims with fresh fish. Not only fish but you could also observe how other oceanic delicacies such as lobsters, shrimp, squid and prawns look in their true form.
If you stay here a little further through the day, you would also see people gutting and cleaning fish subsequently salting and letting them dry under the tropical sun to make dried fish – A well sought after local delicacy which is then used to make flavourful curries. During your time you will also be invited to a lot of villagers’ houses in which the locals will treat you with warmth and kindness you would not experience anywhere else. Stay till the evening during which you will see the fishermen heading out to the ocean on both modern and traditional vessels under the skies painted in vibrant hues of orange and crimson. You would see the sight where children play on the beaches as their father’s vessels slowly disappear over the horizons – a brilliant contrast of worldly struggles and glimmers of happiness coexisting in the same realm.
