When we visited Vavettithurai on our little motorbike, we were invited to take part in a Hindu ceremony held under a tree beside a statue. The friendly villagers shared the food they had prepared, making us feel truly welcome. But there was more to come our way!

While Dylan was waiting with the bike for me to get ready, a villager approached him on his own bike, eager to show us some caves used during the war. We followed him to a set of hidden limestone caves, with entrances right on the seashore. According to the villagers, these caves were used as weapon storage sites by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who smuggled arms via the sea into the country during the war.

The caves are located near Valvedditurai, the birthplace of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, adding credibility to the stories shared by the locals.

DO look up "Periya Mandapam Stone Cave" on google maps and you will easily find it. Unlike us you will not need a local to guide you there. But enjoy the company if someone is there so show you around.

DON'T leave your trash in the caves unlike many others who visited before. But you can jump down and have a look around.