Gems of the East
It was an absolutely brilliant getaway from the busy streets, crowded hotels and towns to wake up in the morning to the sound of nature, the waves of the beach and the chirping of birds and blessings of the bright sunshine. East Coast of Sri Lanka, specifically Trincomalee is untouched by tourism and travelers, unfound by the ordinary, fit for high level of privacy and security, your time in Trincomalee is guaranteed to be priceless!!!
Sharing the experience in detail, Trincomalee is the heart of Naval Forces in Sri Lanka. Owning and maintaining the entire harbor, also one of the world’s largest natural harbors, and mass areas of free land, beautiful beaches and soft, pure white layers of sand reminds you of the holiday that you always dreamt of. Private beach nowadays can be only found in very limited resorts in the world, and in comparison, price of such locations can be mostly towards the high-end!!! With price being one of the favorable elements when it comes to Golf Link Hotel, the surroundings, different private beaches and excursions that can be organized will add up a whole new list of value additions to the guests.
It was indeed a splendid route to Gold Link as you enter from the main Naval Gate at the entrance, you will see that the entrance is made just for the camp site and till you reach the destination, one can never predict that there is a real gem hidden away in a campsite!!!
Most guests would think that a hotel in a camp site is probably basic accommodation suitable for rough out nights, which was the similar thought that I had as I entered from the gates. However, to my dismay Golf Link ended up being the Gem hidden away in a campsite. Security at its best, Golf Link is like your own home next to the beautifully colored beach, bright sunshine and delicious local cuisine waiting to pamper you. The staff at very friendly, hard working and never forgets to smile at all times.
The lunch was set facing the beautiful beach and golf coast, and the food was freshly made and the butler will cater to your own favorite dishes. Ala cart meals are more popular to offer a personalized service, the property itself is personalized by offering options of beaches you would like to visit after a small nap once lunch was over.
Marble Beach or most commonly known as “Elephant Point” was the first beach offered by staff for its beautiful layers and layers of pebbles that cover the sand. It is actually filled with golden and pure white pebbles and the sea shore is filled with small tiny round marbles. 
The specialty of this beach is that the elephants from the far eastern beaches travel through elephant point in search of food during the dry season and Marble beach is one of the best shores for them to have a look for food. A small tea picnic can be arranged on the beach to relax and enjoy your holiday at leisure.
The Coral Cove Beach in comparison is not about marbles, it is instead about corals itself. Untouched by tourism or any other outside organizations in search of corals, Coral Cove beach is preserved by Golf Link hotel simply for highly personalized holidays. Well maintained and coordinated beach side, ideal for sea swimming and photography, sun set photo shooting is perfect on this beach.
The beach is full of small broken corals and sea shells, and the shore is soft and the layers of crystal clear water allows you to swim across the waves into further distance without any high tides or sea current. The natural rock fortress that holds the sea waves together, allows diving possible in the beach side.
Coral Cove is a very quiet and calm beach with bright sun shine, Rocky Mountains for hard rock climbing and sea bathing would be rated as its best!!!
Dinner can be arranged along with bon fire to enjoy the time with family and friends, Coral cove has its own relaxing chalet type lodging places to suite your mood. If the mood is for a round of local brands of liquor, wines and spirits, then Coral Cove is the ideal location for a memorable time enjoying the virgin beaches of the east.
Another visit would be the museum located within the Navy Camp itself, where you will get to learn about many war ships that was destroyed during the civil war and many units and elements belonging to the civil war, ship bombs, land mines that was once attached to the ship base, and more knowledge can be gained from the ancient arts of war.
Gold link is ideal for family outings, meetings with old friend’s reunion or even honeymoon couples, as private beach is an ideal getaway. Weddings on the beach is also possible as the garden is available for a large sized tent to be put up and sea breeze and the colder weatherat night is a specialty in the east coast.
“A Jungle Retreat” is what one can name for a stay at “Sober Island Resort”, hidden away in the Trincomalee harbor a speed boat ride of about 10 minutes will reach you to Sober Island, most commonly known to be “Great Sober” as per the map.
The Sober Island Resort is located few miles away from the Trincomalee Harbor, and as you approach, you will see that the resort is hidden in the jungles of the Island where a small pathway leads to the jungles of Sober Island.
The entrance itself looks very simple and reminds the guests of a camping experience yet again in a small Island. The pathway leads to the resort, for which a walking trek of about 5 minutes would reach you to the lobby area, an open area surrounded by lush green tropical trees, mostly consisting of wines that are connected to one another.
On arrival you will be greeted with cold towels and a fresh fruit juice to refresh and welcome you to the Island. The Island itself was used as a battle point to re-charge energy and re-collect guns and battle equipment during the Second World War by the British. The Island was known to be the only safe place covered from the mountains of Trincomalee.
At the cozy comfort of the rooms lighted with bright gold lighting, air conditioned rooms with cold and hot water facilities, refresh yourself before arriving at the Bar and pool for a relaxed night swim. The bar is made in an ancient building belonging to the Era of the British and is being modified into a bar. The soft music of the bar, some of your favorite juice or wine will be served with refreshments for the evening.
The beautiful Island beholds some of the most breath taking treks, could be a little difficult to complete during day time, therefore morning would be ideal to take the 1 to 2 hours trek. You will be continuing the trek up to the radar point which was once used by the British to navigate any unfriendly air craft or ship that enters the base point in Trincomalee. The missiles were focused and programmed to attack any unidentified ship that entered the harbor without a notice during the Second World War.
The trek will be continued to explore the hidden mysteries of the Island, including the remaining of the British camp which was the main camp site for the soldiers who passed the Island. The guns, canons and the battle equipment was hidden and stored in underground tunnels and the rooms for the soldiers were created by the British to stop for the nights and the remaining of the structures are still firm and solid, but most of it is owned back by nature with time.
The tunnel entrance demonstrates the main entrance to the rooms which was built by the British for overnight stays, and the guide will explain in detail the stories related to Second World War, and how the Island was taken over by Sri Lanka Navy once the British Era was over.
As all treks end in a wonderful climax, the trek will end from the beach side. More of soft waves since the Island is more on the lagoon, the waves are not that strong, it is quiet a relaxed location, warm water but the breeze will keep the location cool. A bon fire can be arranged or a BBQ dinner can be arranged on the shore, where you will be able to enjoy the private beach with friends, family or even your loved one. Visiting the abandoned ship wreckage will add some more action to the trek, where you will be walking on a small pathway similar to the size of porcupine that leads to the wreckage.
The East coast is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, untouched by tourism, and unidentified by the World. The East Coast, specifically Trincomalee was known to be a natural harbor and a beautiful location with various demographical changes, mountains, dry zones, wet zones, beach and wild life.
One visit would clear all doubt about a location, and will give reasons to visit more and more. The untouched virgin beaches of the East will always be private and secured because it is located within the camp, and naval boats would voyage the seas continuously assisting the guests to have nothing but a splendid luxury holiday at the beach.
