Madu Ganga river is the best place in Sri Lanka for a boat trip, something like a river safari. The river is shallow and flows through the mangroves. After about 1 kilometer after the boatyard the river becomes very wide, there will be numerous islands. Each island is interesting in its own way and during the tour you will visit some of them. On the banks of the river there are huge monitor lizards and crocodiles. Children play just a few steps away from them :)
Water monitor in the Madu Ganga river ©Yuriy Buriak
Huge water monitor lizards live almost in the city. ©Yuriy Buriak
Huge monitor lizards on the Madu Ganga river banks ©Yuriy Buriak
It's interesting that the children freely play near the river in 3 meters from the 2-meter long monitor lizards. ©Yuriy Buriak
A man on another boat gave us a monkey :)
On the way you can hold a small monkey. ©Yuriy Buriak
The river banks are very scenic.
Madu Ganga river banks ©Yuriy Buriak
Boat for river trips ©Yuriy Buriak
Madu Ganga river banks ©Yuriy Buriak
Different animals may hide in the thickets. ©Yuriy Buriak
In the mangroves we were looking for crocodiles, but didn't find them.
Mangroves ©Yuriy Buriak
Crocodiles can be found in these thickets. ©Yuriy Buriak
Then we swam to the island, where a local family lives. The living conditions are really harsh, the house is built entirely of clay, no electricity, no amenities too. As I understand, they earn money on tourists. The man showed us various arts and crafts, we especially liked preparing of cinnamon.
A man shows various crafts. ©Yuriy Buriak
Cinnamon leaves ©Yuriy Buriak
The scourings will be used as a fertilizer and the bark will be used to produce spices. ©Yuriy Buriak
Cinnamon sticks are a curled bark, which is dried until is becomes brown.
Bark is used to make spices. ©Yuriy Buriak
We were shown how to weave a roof of palm branches and twist a very strong rope of coconut fiber.
A rope made of coconut fiber ©Yuriy Buriak
Making a roof of palm leaves ©Yuriy Buriak
Palm leaf roof ©Yuriy Buriak
We purchased cinnamon in sticks, powder and oil. Next, we moved to another island with a small temple and settlement.
Small stupa on the island ©Yuriy Buriak
Ancient manuscripts ©Yuriy Buriak
A family of bobtail cats lives on the island. ©Yuriy Buriak
We left a donation of Rs 500. ©Yuriy Buriak
We also stopped at a special place where fish is cultivated.
Place for cultivation of fish ©Yuriy Buriak
Lots and lots of fish ©Yuriy Buriak
Fish peeling ©Yuriy Buriak
Fish peeling ©Yuriy Buriak
Little crocodile ©Yuriy Buriak
More photos of the Madu Ganga river
Special creeks for fishing ©Yuriy Buriak
Various tools for catching fish ©Yuriy Buriak
Bird ©Yuriy Buriak
Bridge for pedestrians and Tuk Tuks ©Yuriy Buriak
It's not easy to pass each other on the bridge. ©Yuriy Buriak
The fish swims in and cannot get out. ©Yuriy Buriak
Do pineapples grow this way? ©Yuriy Buriak
Island with a mini temple ©Yuriy Buriak
The boat for up to 8 people costs ~$50-60, the trip time is 3 hours. But in the comments people say that it's possible to find a boat even for $15 :)
Getting there: By train or bus along the coast to the Balapitiya station. The boat station is nearby, on the Galle Road, see the map below.
