The waves tore the beach to pieces; pushing it, sculpting it to a near-forty five-degree slope. We stood at the edge of the mini-precipice, gawking and wondering if its possible to actually swim here. Instead, we sat down, the sea lapping our feet every time another batch of waves comes in, snatching our bottles of Lion Beer overhead whenever a particularly huge one slams into the shore, and simply enjoyed the setting sun without ever dipping down the raging sea.

GREEN TRISHAWS AT THE MAIN ROAD OF ARUGAM BAY

It was the surfing season for Arugam Bay, a stretch of sea east of Sri Lanka. We found our way to this surfer haven after almost half a day of changing local transports southbound from Kalkudah to its main town by trishaw (LKR250.00), then a bus to Batticaloa (LKR44.00), and another bus ride to Kalmunai (LKR59.00), a bus to Pottuvil, where Arugam Bay is located (LKR93.00), and finally a trishaw (LKR200.00) to our lodging, Seahorse Inn. Surprisingly, even with Sri Lanka’s outdated transports, everything is well organized and getting from one place to another was a breeze. We were, nonetheless, totally bushed as we arrived at Arugam Bay.

LOCAL SURFING SHOPS ALONG THE MAIN ROAD

IT’S THE START OF SURFING SEASON IN ARUGAM BAY

We found the town with a few choose-your-beer-brand-singlet-wearing and bikini-sporting tourists strolling along its sleepy Panama Road. It was the start of the surfing season and some surfboard shops has started opening their doors for board rentals and surfing lessons.

SEAHORSE INN’S MAIN CORRIDOR

But surfers, we are not. So we immediately checked in to Seahorse Inn [CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY] to unpack our backpacks and rest for a while before going to the bay. The inn, run by a husband and wife team of Adam and Monica, is quite cozy. Located on the last commercial stretch of the avenue before everything gets eaten up by bushes and paddies again, the sea is just two minutes away by foot, although you can’t see it from the lodging.

LOUNGE AND DINING AREA

YOU CAN EAT, WORK, READ, AND EVEN SLEEP HERE

Seahorse Inn is a simple two-storey affair, with an open-aired bar and pizzeria at the far end complete with a lovely garden al fresco seating and a cozier, almost psychedelic, sofa setting on one corner where most guests tend to congregate, not only to eat, but also to chat, do works on their laptop (yes, they have free wi-fi) or simply read books. The atmosphere is comfortable, airy and very friendly.

AL FRESCO GARDEN AREA

OUR DOUBLE BED ROOM

They have four different lodging options. Those on the second floor have air-conditioning and those at the ground floor have only fans for comfort. We were booked at the latter. While the weather in Sri Lanka is quite warm, the room itself is cool and well ventilated via the rustic wrought-iron windows complete with colorful glazing.

LOVE THE WINDOW DETAILS

The four-poster bed sits right in the middle of the room and has a charming mosquito net to boot, the sort of thing you see on colonial-era photographs. Furnishings are seemingly made by hand and each room is set with its own toilet and bath. The only thing we’re missing was the television, which was just as well, I guess, as it forces guess to enjoy Arugam Bay more.

BREAKFAST IS SERVED!

After a whole day of hanging around the beach, we’d go back to our room and from our window, which we always kept open by the way, we’d always get a whiff of the mouth-watering aroma of their wood-baked pizza from the kitchenette. It was just too bad that we’re scrimping on our budget and really have nothing to spare to have a taste. What we were able to sample though was Seahorse Inn’s complimentary breakfast platter of fruits, eggs, breads, coffee and juice. It may have no bacons in it, but we were happy, nonetheless.

~ BIG THANKS TO SEAHORSE INN FOR ACCOMMODATING OUR STAY IN ARUGAM BAY. OPINIONS & VIEWS, ALL MINE.

 

Seahorse Inn Arugam Bay
Address: Panama Road, Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Contact Number: +94 77-1722356
Email: seahorseinn.abay@gmail.com
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GPS Coordinates Map: 6.838898, 81.833051

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