If you’re in Galle, we’ve found the perfect spot for you to chill out and watch the sunset spread over an uninterrupted sky and sea. It’s part of the Galle Fort Ramparts – the Moon Bastion – right by the clock tower near the fort’s entrance.
The clock tower at the Galle fort is unmistakable, tall and stately and an impressive 131 years old. It was built in recognition of Dr Anthonisz, a renowned burgher surgeon. The plate on this roughly-four-storey-high tower says it was built “”in testimony of his skill and benevolence in relieving human suffering’. The clock on its own was a gift from a grateful patient of Anthonisz’s.
Watch out for these peculiar white sculptures at the bottom of the clock tower. The guy on the left is Dutch we presume, and the one on the right a Sri Lankan labourer? Let us know if you know any better.
The ramparts are a beautiful combination of green expanse and old stone walls criss crossing at angles. So there’s a beautiful view of this by the clock tower.
The sunset viewpoint here is a big drop to the sea below – it’s the ledge that’s right at the end when you turn left at the clock tower. The picture above is a parallel rock to where we sat, with a bit of beveling coming out of the rock – a few heroes strutted on this bit in an impulse of bravado, but it is one crazy drop so we do not recommend.
Others who sat at the sunset spot seemed to have come better prepared than us. The best thing to do is bring food with you and make a picnic out of it.
It is basically a ledge you have to hop onto on the ramparts, so it’s actually a bit unnerving at first. But once you sit there for a while you get used to it – though not for those of you with a fear of heights.
The view is pretty epic from here. The height gives you a great perspective of the sunset falling onto miles of sea and you might spot a ship or two in the distance.
The sunset at the Moon Bastion near Galle Fort’s clock tower is a little different from regular beach-view sunsets because of the awesome height you’re sitting at. So the sky and particular the sea feels vaster and you’ll get to see a lot more action between light and water. If you’re in Galle, get some food and friends and make the trip here at around 5PM.
As mentioned, this content was brought to you by Nescafe Ice. Try it out.
