Aluthgama, Sri Lanka: A Riverside Town I Visited Taking A Wrong Turn Off Galle Road

BY  Sibashree May 4, 2024

The Everest Base Camp Trek is a gorgeous stroll that a trekker needs to cover. Indulging in this grandiose walk allows you to scrape out some of the nicest sights of your life. It isnot just the views of peaks including Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Pumori, and Lhotse. You will be also amazed by the images of the lush woods, clean rivers, glaciers, and quaint hamlets. The trekking on Everest base is the third most famous trekking vacation spot in the world. Apart from nature, this trek also gets you pretty close to the dwelling locations of the Sherpas.  It evokes everyone's emotions to a point where you will get to examine a lot of the deep meanings associated with life. Overall, the Everest Base Trek is well worth doing for many reasons. And here, we have woven together the 5 pleasant reasons that you will enjoy doing a trek at the Everest Base. Hillary Bridge (Nepal’s Highest Suspension Point): Hillary Bridge is the easiest suspension bridge in the Khumbu area and expands on top of the Dudh Kosi River. Keep the final bridge for the second or third day of the Everest Trek rather than opting for an abrupt ascent to the Namche Bazaar street.  The non-secular prayer flags flying all across the bridge offer you spiritual and religious vibes. However, the bridge gives you a distinctive vibe of freedom. NamcheBazaar (Mountain Bazaar) (Sherpa People and their Mountain Lifestyle): Namche Bazaar is widely regarded as the tourism capital and the biggest sherpa agreement in the Khumbu area. The city is actually stunning and offers various rejuvenating vacation spots near Everest. Tourism refers to the primary carrier for people residing in Namche Bazaar.  This city portrays a magnificent glimpse of mountain tops. These include Kongde Ri (6,187 m), Thamserku (6,623 m), and, additionally, the 8,848 m-high Everest. All across the town, you will find several restaurants, cafes, lodges, bakeries, Tibetan handicraft stores, and even museums.  NangkarTshang Hill Standpoint (Hiking Place From Dingboche): After Namche, Dingboche is the area where we take a relaxation and adaptation break. During the day, you can go to NangkarTshang Hill’s viewpoint. A 3-hour hike starts from the Dingboche village, extending to the summit of NangkarTshang Hill. It presents views of Makalu, Lhotse, Mera Peak(Island Peak), and Choopulu. Unparalleled Scenery: If you want to head over to excellent scenery, this is where you should go. Along with Himalayan wasteland thrills, you will get to see dozens of mountains.  A lot of peaks can trip their base camps, too. Furthermore, the way offers picturesque destinations that allow you to take Instagram pictures.  Starting from the first day, trekkers are capable of witnessing colossal snowy peaks. Further, it is, in all likelihood, the sole trekking path where you get the mountain surroundings all through the trip.  Lhotse, Everest, Choyou, and Makalu peaks offer grandeur in the entire area. These peaks are in the top 10 absolute best mountains in the world. Hometown Of Sherpa And Unique Culture: This is the first reason the Everest base camp journey has become more popular. Everest Touring Trails are trails that are completely grounded in Tibetan Sherpa culture. Everest Camp Touring Camp Touring trails is only one touring stint in Nepal, where you'll enjoy the Tibetan Buddhism religion and culture. All the touring routes of the Everest region offer pedestrians the unique culture of the Tibetans, the Tibetan Sherpa culture of Nepal.  Tengboche Friary: Tengboche Friary is another third magnet on the Everest hiking trip. It is located in a 3890-meter-high place. There, you will enjoy a Tibetan Sherpa religious experience and a fantastic panoramic view of the whole Everest region of the Himalayas.  The fabulous Sherpa culture of Everest is a subject of important admiration and alleviation for most people around the world. Similarly, the Base Camp Trek at Everest presents a perfect occasion to enjoy the fabulous culture and tradition of the Sherpa. As a matter of fact, the Sherpa people are known worldwide for their nearly superhuman mountaineering chops. Nearest Views Of Mt. Everest From Kala Pattar: The view of Mt. Everest from Kala Patthar is a rallying point of the Himalayas, especially Mount Everest. Kala Pattar is only one stylish and closed viewpoint of Mt. Everest, which is really beyond the imagination and has superb views. The Himalayan lookouts of Nepal are the country’s biggest draw points. The Everest Camp Trek also doesn't fail in this aspect; therefore, you should definitely consider visiting it once in your lifetime. Religious And Cultural Prolificacy: A lot of Sherpa agreements on the EBC route provide Mani buses, prayer flags, inscribed Mani boulders, Gompas, and Chortens. The inhabitants of this region are known to have migrated somewhere from Tibet 400 years ago. Moreover, they still revive the conventional Tibetan language as well as culture. People belonging to this region are not only simple, gracious, and generous but also strict followers of Buddhism.  The Pangboche and Tengboche Gompas are two of the most primitive gompas, each with its own history and significance. The former bone belongs to the biggest gompa of the Khumbu region. It is encompassed by Nuptse, Tawache, Lhotse, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam. These are joints for the Festival, Mani Rimdu. The festival is the longest and takes place from October to November. The concept goes after the bone, which was said to have the genuine Yeti’s crown and hand. However, it just has a replica only. Furthermore, the Tengboche Gompa( friary), Pangboche Gompa, and multitudinous cloisters represent the artistic and architectural productivity of this region. The Sagarmatha National Park: This magnificent demesne, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, is a biodiversity mecca. Rich in foliage and fauna, Sagarmatha National Park is home to rare species of creatures like snow leopards and black-and-white pandas. It also has hares, jackals, wolves, and numerous others. It is further home to around 200 species of catcalls, some rare, some common. However, all call the thick timbers of this demesne home. The demesne has numerous touring trails within it. It also introduces you to the unique culture of the mountain communities. These communities live within its borders in complete harmony with their surroundings. Everest Base Camp (The Ultimate Peak): Let’s admit it! We have been waiting for this site for so long. 5300m is the elevation of Everest Base Camp, which is the closest to hiking. However, being closer to Mt. Everest, this camping point is prone to natural disasters. Once you are done hiking at the base camp, you will see a magical kingdom full of pebbles, rocks, and snow. This gives trekkers a sigh of relief and success.  The entire Everest Camp location is full of colorful prayer flags, a never-ending valley, and skyscraper-high snow peaks. Also, how can we forget the stunning Khumbu Glacier Icefall, which is a popular touchdown spot for all camp helicopter tours? Begin The Journey To Mount Everest Beginning the epic journey to Mt. Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime memory and experience. So, every step leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those who dare to complete this extraordinary path. From the vistas of snow-capped peaks and cultural diversity in Sherpa Village to the accomplishment of reaching Everest Camp!  Apart from these reasons, there are several other factors that would compel you to do the trek. Other reasons that might captivate you are suspension bridges, waterfalls, moraines, glacial rivers, and glaciers. Learn More Also: Trekking Kilimanjaro & Salkantay Top 5 Unexplored Treks In Himachal Life Is Enjoyable: Incorporate 7 Best Unique Treks In The World

BY  Sibashree Jul 22, 2026

My trip to Sri Lanka crossed many dramatic turns, especially in the Northern part of the country.  With Vavuniya feeling like a crossroads rather than a stopover and Mannar being a high point where the wind never stops, the next stop was Mullaitivu.  Mullaitivu was a name that I had only read about in the news archives.  Mullaitivu is even in the news today as the people of Keppapilavu have been protesting for days now for the return of their ancestral lands.  Thurairasa Ravikaran and Sivagnanam Shritharan, two Tamil parliamentarians, have shown their support and solidarity to this protest.  Nevertheless, while Trincomalee beaches and the rich culture of Jaffna dominate the conversations about Northern Sri Lanka, Mullaitivu surfaced as a place talking about the past.  In this article, I will talk about my two days in Mullaitivu, from the drive in to the lagoon that ended a war, and why I think this coastline deserves more than a passing mention on a map. Why Mullaitivu Almost Stayed Off My List The day I spent at Vavuniya, the guesthouse caretaker there, a soft-spoken man named Selvam, was the one who first brought up Mullaitivu. About Mullaitivu, he mentioned,  “The beaches were empty, the lagoon was calm, and the town had not yet learned how to perform for tourists.” This stirred me, as most travel forums I had checked mentioned Mullaitivu as a former war zone with a nice coastline and not much infrastructure. While this is not false, this is only a fragmented picture of Mullaitivu. How I Reached Mullaitivu From Vavuniya, I took A34 to reach Mullaitivu. It was a distance of around 54 kilometers, and I reached within an hour and a half.  The road narrowed past Puthukkudiyiruppu, cutting through scrubland, paddy fields, and the occasional stretch of forest before the land flattens out toward the coast. How Mullaitivu Felt At First Sight?  Mullaitivu was once a small fishing harbor.  It was a small fishing harbor and a stop for sailing vessels moving goods between Colombo and Jaffna in the early twentieth century.  Today, it also remains a fishing town, unbothered and unhurried by outsiders.  As I entered the town, my driver, Ravi, pointed out the old lighthouse. It was built in 1896, and it has lost its original iron frame.  So, when you visit the lighthouse today, you can only find a faded signboard.  Nevertheless, I spent my first evening walking along Mullaitivu Beach.  Fishing boats had gathered there, forming neat rows, and the nets were drying on the sand.  Also, it was most delightful to find children playing cricket on the sand with a tennis ball.  Being from the country where cricket is a religion, I joined them. We bonded big time talking over big names such as Kumar Sangakkara and Kusal Mendis.  A few meters away from them, an elderly woman was mending a fishing net.  It felt like a scene from a Sanjeewa Pushpakumara movie. Like his films, Flying Fish and The Venishing, it was like a scene depicting the raw portrayal of survival.  What Are The Places To Visit In Mullaitivu?  I was not prepared for the amount of Civil War history Mullaitivu offered me.  Also, the birds and the sanctuary where the beach and lagoon meet allowed me to unwind with so many things going on in my head about life during and after the Civil War in Sri Lanka.  Nanthikadal Lagoon: Where The War Ended At a glance, the Nanthikadal Lagoon looks like a shallow, sand-fringed body of water. It is on the northeastern edge of the district. Small rivers feed it, and it finally opens into the Indian Ocean.  When I reached the lagoon, I found some egrets standing motionless in the shallows. Then, a kingfisher dropped into the water and came up empty. Ravi then took me to an old man, a local school teacher called Rajan. He narrated the entire story of the Nanthikadal Lagoon to me.  What Happened At Nanthikadal Lagoon  The 26-year Civil War of Sri Lanka ended at Nanthikadal Lagoon in May 2009.  Here, the government forces cornered the last LTTE fighters. The group's leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was also killed.  In the weeks before that, civilians had been pushed into a shrinking strip of land along this same lagoon. They were between the fighting lines. In a report published on 17th January 2009, The Guardian wrote,  “International concern is intensifying over the fate of around 350,000 civilians trapped in a rapidly shrinking rebel-controlled pocket of land in Sri Lanka's north east, as the military steps up its campaign to end the civil war by crushing the Tamil Tiger forces. There is no specific count of the number of human casualties in these final months. A 2011 UN Panel of Experts report stated that credible sources estimated as many as 40,000 civilian deaths. Another report, published by The Times (UK) on 29th May 2009 based on confidential UN documents the paper obtained, reported that civilian deaths in the no-fire zone rose sharply from late April. The deaths averaged around 1,000 killed per day until May 19, 2009. Thus, it had put the total civilian death toll at over 20,000. (Source: Al Jazeera).  The Sri Lankan Government has shown a much lower figure.   However, in the UN Rights Council: Act on Sri Lanka Report published on 13th September 2011, Brad Adams, the Asia director at Human Rights Watch, mentioned,  “When a UN Panel of Experts report concludes up to 40,000 civilians died amid war crimes, the Human Rights Council should feel compelled to act. The council should order a full international investigation – anything less would be a shameful abdication of responsibility.” How Nanthikadal Lagoon Looks Back At Those Days Every Year Tamil families gather at Mullivaikkal, close to the lagoon, on 19th May every year to remember relatives lost in the final days.  They light lamps and plant coconut saplings in their memory.  Standing at the water's edge, with fishermen casting nets a short distance away, I found it hard to reconcile the stillness in front of me with what this ground had witnessed. The Victory Monument, The Museum, And The Submarines The Puthukkudiyiruppu Victory Monument was on the Paranthan-Mullaitivu road, which was a short drive from the lagoon.  It was unveiled in 2019, and it depicts a soldier carrying the national flag.  Furthermore, the surrounding pond and lilies represent the ocean around the island and the nation itself.  An adjoining war museum displays weapons, vehicles, and vessels used during the conflict's final phase. Entry to the museum was free, and it remains open from 8 AM to 5 PM.  Also nearby, there were rusted hulls, and it was the site where the government troops discovered an abandoned Sea Tiger boatyard in 2009.  It is where the LTTE's naval wing used to build improvised submarines and semi-submersible craft.  I want to be honest about something here. This is a site that different communities in Sri Lanka read very differently, and I do not think a two-day visit qualifies anyone to settle that.  What I can say is that visiting both the lagoon and the monument on the same day gave me a fuller, more uncomfortable picture than either would have alone. The Kokkilai Lagoon:  Where The Coastline Turns Peaceful Again On the second afternoon, I drove out to Kokkilai Lagoon.  It was a wetland sanctuary around 25 kilometers southeast of town.  It has been a protected bird sanctuary since 1951, and I could spot pelicans, herons, and occasional flamingos moving along the shallows.  The crowd of birdwatchers was small, and the overall ambiance was quiet.  Chundikulam Further along the coast, Chundikulam allowed me to relax. It was a sanctuary with no visitors.  I quietly cherished the view of the beach and lagoon blurring into one uninterrupted stretch of sand and water. Coming back from Chundikulam, I had some spicy crab curry and rice at a roadside stall. It was similar to what I had in Jaffna, but it tasted even better.  Ravi said, “It was the only reason to end the day here.”  My Two Days In Mullaitivu: The Itinerary  Day TimeActivities/Places to VisitDay 1MorningDrive from Vavuniya via the A34MiddayCheck-in and Walk through Mullaitivu TownAfternoonNanthikadal Lagoon and the CausewayEveningMullaitivu Beach at SunsetDay 2MorningPuthukkudiyiruppu Victory Monument and War MuseumMiddaySea Tiger Submarine YardAfternoonKokkilai Lagoon BirdwatchingEveningChundikulam Coastline and Seafood Dinner Mullaitivu: A Quiet Place That Asks You To Listen  Away from the grandeur of Kandy and Colombo, Mullaitivu is a place that simply exists. It tells the stories of human survival, and it is still recovering and fishing despite the stains and the lives lost in the Civil War.  So, if you are already tracing the north of Sri Lanka through Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, or Mannar, I would not leave Mullaitivu off the route.  Just go with the understanding that this is not a beach add-on. It is a place that holds two very different stories at once, and it does not owe you a tidy conclusion to either.

BY  Sibashree Mar 30, 2026

Jimbocho Book Town is a massive book district or book town with more than 400 bookstores.  It is one of the oldest and biggest in the world and is often mentioned in comparison to the Kaifeng and China book towns.  Also, it is a great place for dark academia fans, students, and readers. They will find most of the second-hand books in Japan here.  Furthermore, it’s not just about the love for books and the “intellectual” aspect of it.  Time Out has named it the best neighborhood in the world in 2025.  But do you know about the best bookstores and cafes in the Jimbocho Book Town? Here is a detailed list.  However, let’s talk about the history, accessibility, and the best things to do in this book town.  Jimbocho Book Town: A Neighborhood That Survived World War II The Kanda-Jinbōchō area began attracting many law schools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which is how the book town emerged.  Many bookshops opened then, and students of the law schools often sold their old books to these shops at a cheaper rate. Thus, this concept of second-hand books came.  New students used to buy these books because they were cheaper.  Furthermore, it is nothing short of a miracle that this book town survived the bombing and destruction during World War II.  Jimbocho started flourishing as a book town once World War II was over. Today, it is the most fascinating place for bibliophiles.  Furthermore, Shūeisha (Jump Manga Magazines), Iwanami, and many other leading publishing houses have their headquarters in the Jimbocho Book Town.  Moreover, the curry restaurants and cafes here have been hosting the most famous authors for the longest time.  I must mention Ladrio in this context. It was built in 1949 as the reading room of a bookshop. It was also the first place that brought Viennese coffee to Japan.  Now, it was more than an elevation in the texture and flavor. The whipped cream helped to keep the coffee warm for longer as the intellectuals here took part in debates and hot discussions.  How To Reach The Jimbocho Book Town?  The central location of Jimbocho in Tokyo makes it easy to visit. You can take a ride on the Subway network to make this commute.  Reach Jimbocho Book Town By Subway  The nearest subway station is the Jimbocho Station. You will take the subway to the station on the following lines.  Toei Mita Line Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line And the Toei Shinjuku Line Moreover, once you reach the subway station and exit from A5 or A6, you can find the bookstores along Yasukuni-dori.  Reach Jimbocho Book Town From Shinjuku And Shibuya The journey through the Toei Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station is the easiest way to reach the Jimbocho Book Town. It does not require any transfer.  Furthermore, the travel time is about 15 minutes.  On the other hand, from Shibuya Station, you can take a ride on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line to reach Jimbocho Station within 20 minutes. Reach Jimbocho Book Town From Tokyo Station From Tokyo Station, you have to take a Rapid ride on the R Chuo Line and reach Kanda Station.  Then, you have to reach the Toei Mita Line or the Toei Shinjuku Line to complete the journey in 5 minutes. Shopping For Old And Rare Books And Magazines: The Best Thing To Do In Jimbocho Book Town  From antiquarian books and documents to specialized books and first editions! You will find the books at the Hakusan-dori and Yasukuni-dori intersections.  Starting from the Meiji Era(1868-1912) to today, it has been a book town par excellence.  Furthermore, the Aozora Kohon Ichiba, or the annual Kanda Used Book Festival, draws book lovers across the globe to the Jimbocho Book Town.   This festival is held in late October or early November, and it was celebrated from October 24th to November 3rd in 2025.   What Are The Book Stores You Must Visit In The Jimbocho Book Town?  Do you think that the Jimbocho Book Town only has Japanese books? You will get books in various languages in the book stores here.  Here are the bookstores you must visit.  1. Kitazawa Book Store  The Kitazawa Book Store is the best bookstore to find English books and classics in the Jimbocho Book Town.  It started in 1902. So, it has completed more than 125 years of serving as a beacon for Western literature connoisseurs in Jimbocho Book Town.  You will mostly find foreign and humanities-related books here.  2. Magnif Zinebocho Magnif Zinebocho is a paradise for readers and lovers of retro magazines. You will mostly find lifestyle and fashion magazines from the last few decades here.  Though it mostly sells Japanese retro magazines, you will also find magazines that overcome language barriers.  Furthermore, the Mondrian artwork on the bookstore’s facade is really impressive. You will find retro magazines such as Olive and Relax. 3. Books Tokyodo Built in 1890, Books Tokyodo is one of the oldest book stores in the Jimbocho Book Town. Here, you will find books of different genres from bygone eras and modern times.  Furthermore, it is one of the bookstores that has helped to create a community of book lovers, and that is the most cherished thing about it.  4. Komiyana Tokyo The history of Komiyana Tokyo goes back to 1939. It is a dedicated 4-story building with each floor offering distinct attractions to book and art lovers.  You will find here books on history, Japanese art, Western art, and fashion.  Furthermore, it has the widest collection of photo books, and most of them are by the original photographers or painters.  Also, watch out for the weekend “Garage Sale” behind the shop.  You never know when you can find a diamond.  5. Bohemian’s Guild  The Bohemian’s Guild is a great place to find vintage books on visual art and design.  Furthermore, the bookstore has been there since the Taisho era (1912-1926). The first floor of the store has all the books and warm lighting that, along with the brown wooden floor, creates an inviting atmosphere.  Furthermore, on the second floor, the book gallery allows you to explore the lithographs, paintings, and prints.   What Are The Best Cafes To Visit In The Jimbocho Book Town?  Kissaten, or the coffee house culture of Japan, is unique. The best cafes in the Jimbocho Book Town allow you to get familiar with that.  Furthermore, the cafes here celebrate the history and origin of the book town. So, here are my favorites. 1. Sabouru With an origin in 1955,  Sabouru stands out with its unique Showa-era charm and nostalgic vibe.  You must try the cream soda here, and it is available in seven colors. They also make an excellent strawberry juice smoothie.  Moreover, the adjacent Sabouru 2 is a popular place here to have classic “Japanese Napolitan Spaghetti.”  2. Milonga Nuova Built in 1953, Milonga Nuova is a paradise for Tango lovers.  Furthermore, the charcoal-roasted coffee here hits different, and that is often accompanied by the signature desserts.  Moreover, you will find more than 30 varieties of imported beers here.  Along with these cafes, Jimbocho Book Town also has various curry restaurants. From Mandala to Bondy, these restaurants celebrate the tradition started in the Meiji era.  The book lovers found it very convenient to eat curry with one hand while the other hand was busy holding the book or flipping the pages.  Read Also: Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth It In 2026? Should I Buy Or Avoid It As A Conscious Tourist? Cherry Blossom Kyoto Japan: 2026 Season And The Top Viewing Spots Osaka Food: Know What To Eat In The Streets Of Osaka