iDiscover Trincomalee

Two Weeks Inside a Living History Book

Step One: Arriving in Trinco

Two weeks in Trincomalee felt like walking into a living history book, with every sunrise opening a new chapter and every street showing another layer of heritage. I was there with iDiscover Asia: illustrating a cultural map that captures Trinco’s spirit, including its sacred spaces, colonial echoes, busy harbours, and the constant rhythm of the sea.

I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong, and I’m glad.

Step Two: More Than Streets and Landmarks

Making this map was never just about plotting roads and marking locations. It was about storytelling. Every line, colour, and tiny detail needed to carry some of Trinco’s past and present.

The real challenge was connecting historical depth with everyday life, so that the map was evocative as well as informative. A temple bell and a fish market had to sit on the same page and both feel right.

And of course, I couldn’t resist hiding a few Easter eggs. Small stories are tucked into the illustrations for anyone who looks closely enough.

Step Three: Mentoring the Next Generation of Storytellers

Alongside a brilliant team of mentors, we worked with Trinco’s young people, guiding them through research, creative writing, and illustration. Students were split into groups, and each group explored a different side of their city.

They ran surveys, interviewed people, and shaped their findings into stories, and their enthusiasm spread to everyone around them. Watching their ideas form, their perspectives sharpen, and their confidence grow as they discovered new sides of their own hometown was easily one of the highlights of the trip.

Step Four: A Special Visit

The workshop became even more memorable when Her Excellency Mrs. Bonnie Horbach, the Dutch Ambassador to Sri Lanka, came to visit. Her presence reminded everyone why this work matters: cultural preservation and global connection play a real part in developing local talent.

It was a strong reminder that stories, however rooted in one place, can resonate far beyond it.

Step Five: The Sights, the Sounds, and Gun Point 3

Beyond the workshop, Trinco was a full experience. There was the solemn quiet of the British War Cemetery and the early-morning sight of fishermen casting their nets across the water. The city kept balancing contrast and harmony.

Then there was Gun Point 3. Three of us stood at literal (finger) gunpoint in a scene that felt like it came straight out of an action film. It still makes me laugh. Some memories don’t make it onto the map, but they definitely make it into the story.

Step Six: A Map, an App, and a Shared Effort

In the end, the map became more than an illustration. It was a shared effort and a tangible reflection of the city’s heartbeat. The iDiscover Trincomalee app complements it, letting people hear and feel the stories in Trinco’s streets as well as see them.

Step Seven: Carrying Trinco Home

I left Trincomalee with more than sketches and notes. I left with a deeper appreciation for the city’s many stories and for the talented young creatives who will keep telling them long after the map is printed.

Here’s to more maps, more stories, and more unforgettable experiences. Trinco, thank you. 💙