Dechivala-Mount-lavinia is the largest suburb of Colombo and part of the so-called Big Colombo (besides him, Moratouw and Sri-Jayavarendura-Cott are the official capital of the country). Dechivala-Mount-Lavinia is located directly to the south of the city center of Colombo and is a combination of urban suburbs and communities with a total population of more than 210 thousand people. The centers of the suburbs are Dechivale and the beach resort of Mount Lavinia. Hence such a long and non-across the name of the region.
The city (let's call for simplicity) runs along Galle Road, the road leading along the coast to the south of the country. Mount-Mount Lavinia, first of all, is famous for his National Zoo , one of the largest in Asia. The zoo is very competent - with route signs, a detailed map attached to the ticket, curious animals. Here every evening there are the most interesting performances of the trained elephants.
In the city of Dechivala Observed fast Industrialization and urbanization in recent years. Since the city is located on the border with Colombo, then the fact of the cheaper land led to the real estate boom with the subsequent construction of hypermarkets, shops and residential complexes. For example, many residential complexes around the Attidy lake are one of them, Lotus Grove, it seems like, and at all the first such complex in the country. Dechivala in recent years has become an attractive place for recreation and business people, and other holidaymakers - naturally, due to the immediate proximity to Colombo, and to the beach of Mount Lavinia. Combo, so to speak!
Mount Lavinia - It is largely the housing of the middle class and the absence of significant traces of industrialization, unlike neighboring devivals. It is good for this.
So, in the suburbs, in addition to neat streets, you can find interesting areas with slums, which are located directly on the former cemetery, and crosses and grave plates are taught in the farm - linen are dried on them, nuts are dried and cooking. So what to do!
At the same time, some buildings keep traces of the colonial past, which is interesting.
In general, it is one of the most liberal regions in Sri Lanka, where it comes annually Gay parade . Quite modest, but still. However, here There is not a single gay bar or gay club But the whole area is gay-friendly, so to speak, so do not be surprised if you see the rainbow checkbox on some bars (although it can only be during the festival - I definitely can not say). And yes, the town is famous for its good by the standards of Sri Lanka nightlife.
Almost ml is known "Golden Mile" beaches . The ocean in Mount Lavinia is often dirty, and there are still such waves that it is impossible to swim (wave is simply knocking and takes) - these days the beach is empty. On other days, the beaches are crowded, but everything is not so bad.Walking on avalanie nice - Café, clubs, shopping On Gall Road - it's all. If you want to save, you can stay in the guest house - they will always offer both homemade comfort, and breakfasts, and low cost. Food in cafes and restaurants cheap, and for every taste - and vegetarians there is a place and meathers. It is cheaper to eat in street cafes, as well as it is worth paying attention to the institutions where local residents eat. These cafes may not be so glamorous, but then there is cheap and accurately tasty. There is I. fast food.
The name of Mount Lavinia appeared thanks to Sir Thomas Meithland, the Governor of Ceylon in 1805-1811. During the welcoming party in his honor of arrival on the island, he noticed Lovin, the local dancer-metis, whose father was the main thing in the troupe. Sir Thomas was fighting her smile and charms, and soon and completely stuck at the beauty. But it was not accepted then it was a unmarried British officer to drive with local dancers, so Maitland met with his mistress secret. It is rumored that the girl made his way to the waters in a secret tunnel, who led from her father's house to Thomas's wine cellar.
In 1811, Thomas Meithland was forced to leave the country to leave the country and go to Malta, where he, by the way, lived until recent days. The tunnel was ultimately sealed in 1920, and the village surrounding the governor's mansion turned into a modern city, which began to be called in honor of the beauty, spanking a high-ranking citizen. By the way, Thomas called his residence in honor of her - "Mount Lavinia House". So, this house later became the hotel of the same name ( Mount Lavinia Hotel, Now the most popular in the city). Statue of Lavinia still is located in the middle of the fountain at the entrance to the hotel. Such a legend.
However, there is a more boring explanation of the name of the town. It is assumed that the name of the town is just a tribute to geography and a natural surrounding. Singles living in the coastal stripe, previously called Cape "Lihiniya Kanda" or "Lihiniyagala", which means the "marine seagull" hill or the "rock of the sea gull". And sometimes the local call the town "Galkissa". This is an outdated word in Singhal, denoting the "mountain". Naturally, there is a legend that says about the big treasure, hidden by someone and somewhere in coastal rocks after shipwreck.
Anyway, a suburb of this is as long as Colombo. True, the population of Dechivala Mount Lavinia is mainly represented Singhala But no less than Tamilov and Larakalles here (Muslims, descendants of Arabs-merchants). Malays, Indian Tamils, Burgers (descendants of White Colonists) and others are found. Residents here are generally good-natured, tourists are already accustomed to tourists. Particularly happy tourists are local alcoholics, thanks to which you can find specialized shops, sort of burned booths, where alcohol is sold.
Them, these stalls, little. However, now alcohol is sold in supermarkets in special departments, however, the price is higher there. Alcohol There are also in some restaurants - naturally, at high prices.
Temples In the area, there are several, but they are not very remarkable (although the Kanda temple is quite good!). And there is a bunch Mosques - Also, however, nothing special. But everything is very colorful, and the town is definitely interesting and there you can safely take a walk for several days.
Arriving here, you can combine and beach holidays, and leisure education and cultural, and there will be no night to wander. Here life boys and plays all the colors!