Sitting on the walls of the Galle Fort staring out to sea, it's impossible not to imagine what it might have been like when the tsunami arrived on that frightening day back in 2004. The fort itself held firm, but the walls look older and darker with damp than they do in the postcards around town which were clearly taken some time before the disaster.

As destructive as the tsunami was, you can still drive around the new area of Galle, which was entirely wiped out, and not know what happened six years ago. Not only has the magnificent cricket ground been rebuilt, but the town itself has sprung back up and the only sign of previous damage is the work going on as more buildings are put back up. All of which confirms the impression given by the old walls that even an event of such magnitude is a small dot in the timeline of the fort's history.

There is a timeless feel about life inside the fort, which was contructed by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch in the 17th century. The Dutch influence remains in the architecture of the houses inside, only some of them refurbished, while old men cycle past on their ancient bicycles with the passage of time written on their faces.

It was the perfect place to spend a couple of days off. At night the silence is complete as the stars sparkle in the clear sky, with even the sound of the waves cut out by the formidable fort walls.

I was travelling with a couple of entertaining Indian journalists and we made a day trip to Unawatuna for some time on the beach. Although it's a popular tourist joint littered with sun-hit foreigners it's easy to see why people flock to the town. The easy life is available, with sunloungers scattered under palm trees and good food available at the click of your fingers.

Unawatuna was one of the hardest hit by the tsunami, but so loved is it by foreign tourists that the area was quickly built back up as donations flooded in from people who had been touched by their time there.

Back in Galle I wandered around the cricket ground and marvelled at the backdrop of the fort, which rivals any scenery at grounds around the world.

Then, taking pictures of the surrounds I stumbled upon a cricket game being played on the ramparts of the fort and felt compelled to join in. Although I made a fool of myself with my first involvement in the game, fumbling the ball in the field before falling and twisting my ankle before eventually regaining control (to howls of laughter from the other participants), it turned out to be a supremely pleasant experience.

The sun was setting over the ocean, making the old fort glow as we did our best to whack the tennis ball over the nearest wall for six. There could be no better way to recharge the batteries ahead of the final push of a World Cup in the most cricket-loving part of the earth.