Uppuveli, North

Are you staying in Uppuveli in the Trincomalee District? Are you tired of Diving with Cleaner Wrasse, of Reading "Life of Pie" in a Hammock or of counting the Fishermen tearing their net out of the Ocean?

That's the moment to start Walking! Grab comfy Flip-Flops, a Bottle of Water and your cam, and off you go...

Whether you stay in French Garden, Aqua Inn or Chaaya Blu, head North at least once...

The here presented walk starts at the Commonwealth War Cemetery. 

CWC, Uppuveli, Mai 2013

You can stroll up to the beautifully kept, yet immensely sad, Commonwealth War Cemetery. This is the last resting place for over 600 servicemen who died at Trinco during WWII, most of them during a Japanese raid on 9 April 1942 that sank over a dozen vessels. The simplicity of the lines of graves and their often moving epitaphs bring a tear to the eye. Donations are appreciated. Lonely Planet, 8. Mai 2013

Head north along the semi-busy Nilaveli-road. Leave the road to the left after having passed a small Hindu-temple. The sounds of crows, flamingos, pelicans and co accompany you, as well as the marks of cows in the dirt.

War-damaged bunker, Uppuveli, Mai 2013

Walk up to the war-destroyed building, jump over the pipeline and follow again the Nilaveliroad. Cross the pedestrian-bridge on which you’ll find lots of sea shell scattered around. You also might witness some fishermen hip-deep in the water trying their luck.

Fishermen at work, Uppuveli, Mai 2013

Walk ‘till you reach an army and police checkpoint, tell them where you are from and whatever Sri Lankans want to know.  From here you can catch a glimpse of the newly renovated, but way too swanky Hindu-temple. Walk up to it, or let it be and turn right. Follow that road for about fifteen minutes and turn right again when reached a Tamil and Singhalese Panel, saying maybe something like turn right here for the Salli M. Kovil-temple.

You walk through palm tree alleys and along village houses ‘till the superbly situated temple appears, built on pristine, yellow sand. Climb the little hill behind the temple to the south.

Salli Muthumariamunam Kovil, Mai 2013

Salli Muthumariamunam Kovil is a Hindu-temple at the Southeastern tip of the village Simpadu, a village you cannot even find in google-maps. But this local Hindu-temple is supposed to be of greater importance to Sri Lankan Hindu-Tamil culture. There are bigger festivals during the year where you can witness animal-sacrifices and men hanging themselves up on hooks. I will be going to one of this festivals at the end of Mai. Photos will follow

Continue walking north along the beach. Since the 2004-Tsunami the shore here is concrete-paved and therefore stands in stark contrast to the Uppuveli-beach further south. The formation of the palm trees is picturesque and the small colorful Hindu-temple that you will pass is fabulous.

Picturesque Palm Trees, Mai 2013

Hindu-Temple, Mai 2013

The fishermen who work here seem to be less outgoing than the ones in Uppuveli  or Trincomalee. At the end of the “promenade” continue a little bit straight further. Walk on beautifully white corals up to another war-damaged bunker, marvel at the black stones and their geological formation. Return to the path over the green meadow dotted with cactus and curious cows.

Walk inland to the heart of the village called Sampalthivu. Nosey Tamil-kids, mostly on stylish bicycles will ask you for school pens, chocolate, money or “picture”.

Two Bicycle-Boys, Mai 2013

Go all the way up on the tarred road till you reach Sampalthivu-Main street. Turn left. After some minutes you will pass a Guru Study Cent(e)re. Halt still to watch young and old villagers study together Hindu-books in this scanty  building.

Jump on a bus to Uppuveli at one of the several bus stands, or walk “home” and maybe get surprised by a yet rare vehicle and its driver.

Oldish Vehicle, Mai 2013

Here is the map for this walk:

View Uppuveli, North Walk in a larger map