“The strongest trees are found in the most exposed places”
Meeting With The Ocean Or Wild Jungles Call
The way to the Lake
Located almost in the deepest southern part of the island, Koggala is a small and picturesque village in Sri Lanka. You will not find any souvenir shops around. It’s the heart of local life. I was lucky to live not far from the big Koggala Lake but following the map we were not able to find the way to the lake from the first attempt – there are jungles all around and only locals know how to find the way to rent a boat and to sail in the lake. 
On the other day, having two friends from Ukraine with us, we were able to find the right path to the lake. But without locals it’s a bit wild. As I wrote before, Sri Lanka is a cheap country and a lot of people try to earn money from tourists. Their way to earn is scary for me, European citizen. Locals in Sri Lanka talk to tourists in the streets offering to sell local products, to organize a tour to the best sights or just walk you to the place you want to visit for money. And their way to offer is a very persistent – they will not let you go until you give them some money for anything. 
Even that most of them don’t speak Russian and even English. If you will tell them nothing, they can just follow you until you understand you need anything or you are lost. It’s not that scary if you are not alone. But they are most friendly. It’s enough safe in there. And it’s understandable – there are not a lot of places to work and a salary is not high so people just want to share their knowledge about places they love the most and earn 
some money from richer tourists. There were a lot of natural disasters which happen pretty often and this is also a reason people need money. So we walked along local streets and local kids were smiling and happy to see tourists walking around. Those people were very friendly.
Spices shop
Finally we have found a spices shop run by local richer man. We have bought some spices which are useful for health. He shown us also his beautiful garden where he grows plants to produce spices. And there is an exit to the lake. He also owns a boat which he kindly rented to us with a local boy who was our guide. Koggala Lake is one of the biggest natural lakes in Sri Lanka. A number of islands are scattered in the lake among which the Temple Island, Modol Doova, Bird Island and the Cinnamon island are the most famous. The lake is rich in birdlife and mangroves and is a major attraction for tourists.
Excursion to Lake islands
Our young guide was the best guide I’ve ever had in my life. He was so sincere, honest and even that he knew only some English and couple Russian words we were able to understand each other. I was the one who we talking to him. He sincerely wanted to show us as many amazing places as possible, shared everything he 
knew about the land he truly loved with all his heart. I’ve never met such amazing, sincere and passionate young man. It was the best excursion in my life. He shown us three islands. First we have visited Cinnamon island where only one couple lives and they shown us how they grow cinnamon, handle it and produce products for food, spice and oil. It’s all natural and 
has healing properties. We have bought some oil and spice cinnamon to use in cooking and other cases. The island was small but cosy and it’s so peaceful there.
The next one – was a Bird island. Before we arrived there was a small surrounded area in the water with a lot of fish. Those fish was enough big and use for foot peeling. I wouldn’t do it for free even but for money especially – too scary. My legs aren’t that 
big so was really scary 🙂 My biggest dream was to see a crocodile as there are some crocodiles in there and it’s possible to see them. The opportunity to meet them didn’t scary me lol. But we were on a motorboat so we were not lucky to see any – crocodiles are afraid of motors. But on that island we saw different lizards, iguana, monkeys and other insects and beautiful and rare birds.
My favourite was Temple island. There is a small ancient buddhist temple in the island and some buddhists live in there. They are only guys and very shy. They didn’t talk to tourists but were friendly and allowed to take pictures with them. There was an amazing aura in the island – so peaceful and felt like the God surrounded an island with love – it felt in trees, people, flowers…. 
There were beautiful flowers and our guide put a beautiful red flower into my hair.
The trip was an amazing and I have never felt that anybody would share the part of their history and culture with such love and not for money. We gave him some money because we wanted to reward him for his amazing work. I know that that boy lived so simple life and loved the land he lived in, people around and appreciated life for everything it gives. It made me cry and believe in best in people and not only in business and money.
Meeting With The Ocean Or Wild Jungles Call
