Deer Park and Fort Frederick - Trincomalee

After spending the last few days relaxing in Trincomalee, with a bit of swimming in the morning and some coffee and reading afterward, we visited the Deer Park today and then Fort Frederick.

We were already at the deer park before eight o'clock and probably the first tourists of the day. The deer were very pleased with the bananas we brought and nibbled a bit at our backsides when the feeding wasn't quick enough. Alongside us wobbled a small playful puppy and the ever-present crows in Trinco. We had a lot of fun with the animals and will certainly come back.

Just a few meters away is Fort Frederick, which has no entrance fee unless you wish to visit the paths leading to the military remnants on the left and right. We paid five dollars per person and had a really nice view over the sea and the city.

The place has experienced much destruction in the past; starting with the destruction of the Hindu temple by the Portuguese occupiers in 1622. On its ruins, a Portuguese fort was built, which was captured in 1665 by a Dutch fleet and rebuilt for defense against British and French attackers.

Even today, there is still an active military base here, so there is a bustling activity of uniformed soldiers and in between, a few deer lazily lie in the sun or a few peacocks peck around in the sand. There are still remnants of the old temple visible, and further back, a new, very magnificent Hindu temple has been built (Thirukoneswaram Kovil).

On the way back, Simon got a haircut, and we strolled through a supermarket. Since we have our accommodation in the northern part of Trinco, there are mostly mini-marts and stores for tourists there. So the supermarket was quite a change.