Editor's Note
This issue of travelsrilanka pays tribute to the most famous resort in Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa, which, for 40 years and more has provided low-budget independent travellers and surfers with the perfect location – cheap yet pleasant accommodation, often adjacent to the beach, eateries of every type with delicious locally-caught seafood, and great surfing waves. Since the hippies and surfers of the late 1960s discovered Hikkaduwa, it has remained a laid-back place – apart from the fact that the main road runs through the town. Now Hikkaduwa has up-market facilities as well.

The opening article in the Hikkaduwa series is based on the autobiography of the ultimate Sixties Swinger, Mim Scala, who is most important, in my estimation, for persuading Jean-Luc Godard to film Sympathy for the Devil (1968) with the Rolling Stones. Mim describes a memorable stay at Hikkaduwa at that time, evoking the acid-laced atmosphere of the period. Fittingly, Hikkaduwa was where I met him on a subsequent visit in 1973.

The second article provides the low-down on Hikkaduwa and its patch of ocean, taking in surfbreaks, diving opportunities and wakeboarding, as well as accommodation and nightlife. The third, on the other hand, explores the environs, with its plentiful and varied temples, river cruises, a bird sanctuary, moonstone mines and more.

The last article describes the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau-inspired Hikkaduwa Beach Fest ’08, which took place over five days as recently as late July and early August. This festival, attended by thousands of Sri Lankans and tourists, featured a multitude of events - drum and jazz programmes, cultural parades, beach parties - which helped to promote Hikkaduwa’s 21st century potential.

Richard Boyle
preprod@eureka.lk
Editor