Sri Lanka - OutboundHolidays

I am going to Sri Lanka…woohoo!

When Helen phoned me at work to excitedly tell me that she had been the lucky winner of a trip to Sri Lanka for two, my rather dreary office day became a time of uncharacteristic skipping around colleagues’ desks coupled with elated yelps of “I’m going to Sri Lanka…woohoo!” In reality I had never really thought of the island of Sri Lanka as a likely future travel destination, my mind is often filled with dreams of far off places and yet I was now faced with a trip of a lifetime to a land relatively unknown to me. I knew embarrassing little about the country, I was aware of it’s colonial past and internationally significant tea industry, but that was the extent of my knowledge. However, I was to leave the island after this two week trip with memories, stories, experiences and tales that would remain in my imagination and thoughts for a lifetime. Alain de Botton in The Art of Travel exclaims, “Journeys are the midwives of thought”, this was certainly the case with my journey to Sri Lanka. I look back on those few days with fondness, remembering the sights and sounds of a truly enchanting land.

It wasn’t until we neared the day departure that I found out what our basic itinerary was, I loved this element of the unknown and was happy to experience whatever our tour guide had planned (or not planned) for us as the trip unfolded. It was in the previous month or so I learnt that we would be accompanied by three top British surfers, a photographer and a freelance journalist writing for The Times. I knew that with this selection of people this would be a very different kind of holiday. This small group encompassed so many of the personal past times and ambitions of Helen and myself. It was almost surreal how tailor made to our interests this trip was to become.

Although the main intention of the rest of the group was to promote Sri Lanka as a top surfing destination, it proved to be a far more diverse and multi layered experience for myself and the entire group. It is perhaps often the way when focus too much on achieving one sole task that outside factors cause us to fall short and we are forced to discover unexpected pleasures and experiences.

There are many aspects of Sri Lanka that stick in my mind, but it is perhaps our experiences on its roads that continue to make me wryly smile and chuckle. I partly remember how surprised I was that a relatively relaxed and laid back population suddenly transformed itself into aspiring formula one racing drivers regardless of whether they were behind the wheel of an overcrowded bus, a brightly decorated ‘tuk tuk’ or a fifty year old land-mower engine powered cart. Our tour organiser, Suranjan perhaps best summed it up with his frequent frantic yelps from the front passenger seat of “Oh dear! Oh dear!” This was perhaps the biggest understatement as we were careering at speed towards an unsuspecting old man or hurtling towards the backs of buses. We would stop inches from pedestrians who nonchalantly continued to walk without flinching or accepting the reality that they had almost ended up forcibly entering our bus through the windscreen. I do not wish to criticise our drivers, in fact they were often superbly skilled and committed, it was merely the accepted Sri Lankan method and style of driving they were naturally following which concerned me. The often adrenaline pumping obsession with overtaking everything provided some of my most hair raising journeys to date.

It was perhaps while we were driving up through the Hill country around Horton Plains by bus that some of us genuinely felt we would really only make it down safely on foot. Looking back this was perhaps a little extreme but the decision to walk down led to one of the most beautiful and breathtaking treks of the trip. For some reason walking 15km on rough terrain mainly in the dark proved more preferable to sitting on the bus convinced we could glide off the cliff edge at any given moment. The landscape on that walk was stunning; the sun set over the lush green tea plantations and the mist fell upon the distant hills across the valley. Although convinced at times a snake might have leapt out of the darkness in front of me, we all made it to the bottom, exhausted, but relieved to see that our bus had also made a successful descent of the 2000m high hills.

I found observing life on Sri Lanka roads from the window of the bus fascinating. Few road rules seem to exist and remarkable split second timing or incredible luck seemed to prevent numerous collisions. From my window I watched bullock carts, rickety bikes, trucks piled high with coconut husks and working elephants wrestle for space on the pot holed dusty roads with over-crowded public buses, noisy tuk tuks and groups of people. To me, this continuous pseudo rally driving, frantic horn blowing experience provided some of the most amusing memories of Sri Lanka.

The warmth and openness of the people of Sri Lanka was present from the beginning. At every stop the local people went out of their way to make our experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Our various drivers were heroic figures to us, forever determined to get us to our desired location despite mudslides and seemingly impassable craters in the road. As we passed through villages, people seem to gather without obvious purpose outside houses, as if waiting for something important to happen on their doorstep. This was especially true in our attempts to take a bus to Pottuvil Point from Aragum Bay, it seemed the whole village rushed to our aid with suggestions and conflicting practical solutions for getting the bus over a deep gorge in the road. Eventually it was the remarkably versatile three wheel drive abilities of the tuk tuks that transported us to the idyllic beach location at sunset.

I was humbled by the way people survived amidst great poverty and adversity in many of the areas we passed through. Families previously destroyed by the past violence of civil war, houses washed down the hills by the extensive recent flooding and livelihoods forever under threat from the on going elephant – human conflict. Yet through this I found the local people to be friendly, helpful and excited that foreigners had chosen to visit their region. I especially found myself a ‘soft touch’ with the hoards of local children selling small packets of dried peanuts and pulses wrapped in tiny newspaper cones. Whether it was appropriate or not to give them money, it mattered little to me when a few rupees brought such wide grins.

Every day we were in contact with different aspects of the incredible variety of animal and bird life which populate the island. From the chorus of birds at dawn and dusk to the screaming hyena deep in the jungle to Sea Turtle Conservation Project south of the Bentota resort we enjoyed all that it had to offer. Above all it was perhaps the interaction and observation of the elephants which gave us our most cherished memories of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. The visit to the Elephant Transit home for orphaned elephants opened our eyes to the plight of these awesome creatures. The dedication of those volunteers ensuring the elephant population on the island continues to thrive was admirable.

The 4WD safari through Uda Walawe National Park was an awesome experience, moving into the heart of elephant country in two rather ancient land rovers provided us with some of the most exhilarating hours of the trip. With the backdrop of mountains and the fabled Adam’s Peak (2224m) shrouded in mist, it is hard to explain what a privilege it was to come within metres of these remarkable creatures. As we all tightly hung on to the back of the trucks we were given perfect opportunities to take some dream photos, a baby elephant crosses within 10 metres of the jeep and we remain quiet in order to avoid aggravating it or the on looking protective family. All around us bird life filled the skies; pelicans, green bee-eaters, kites, kingfishers and numerous endemic species. At dusk purple-faced monkeys performed acrobatics above us in the trees, turtles basked in the sunshine by the lagoons and clusters of butterflies decorated the roadside.

With all this around us it was therefore a real treat to have our own campsite and dining area set up for us in the heart of the national park. Although at night we lay in our tents fully aware that we only had a thin layer of canvas between us and the resident animals, we slept to the symphony of sounds generated by the numerous creatures in this remarkably untouched wilderness. We had perhaps only covered a fifth of this park, but between us we had accumulated an impressive wealth of pictures, scribbled notes and memories. On our way out of the park we were even treated to the unusual close encounter with two young elephant males, trunk to trunk, posing as if models for our cameras. We just stood in the silenced jeep, watching in awe their show of affection and strength.

When it came to Sri Lankan cuisine we were presented with some very ‘special’ dishes. It is perhaps the garlic curry at Tree Tops Jungle Farm which I remember the most. During the day we had watched our young hosts peeling clove after clove of garlic, adding them to a formidable pile at the edge of the mud and dung built kitchen area. In the evening to our slight concern this formed the main part of our dinner, whole garlic cloves in a curry sauce. If there was any doubt in our minds of wandering vampires I am sure our breath that night would have killed the whole island’s population. I won’t even begin to describe the odours it generated in our cosy airless tent for two!

It was fish curry above all other dishes that greeted us at most meal stops. Our staple diet became this spicy dish presented with coconut ‘pol sambol’, dahl, curried jak fruit and ‘crispy bits’. However this trip gave us the opportunity to eat in some very diverse places, from the vast buffets of grand hotels such as Mount Lavinia in Colombo to the roadside cuisine of a local spice garden. I found one of the best aspects of this trip was that we were part of a new type of experience, we were involved in a fact-finding, research based, information building trip. It was spontaneous and often random; it was a continually surprising experience rather than a strictly timetabled and rigid itinerary that so many tour companies chose to promote. It was unplanned occasions such as stopping for a sandwich at a rather basic roadside café and being subjected to an amusingly appalling radio rendition of ‘I’ve got a hole in my bucket’ which really tickled us. From the exquisite Danish ice creams at the Stardust Hotel to the fresh barbecue prawns at Weligama to the un-pasturised buffalo curd with kitul treacle for desserts, this trip allowed us to enjoy a varied, unique and often unpredictable selection of local foods.

The accommodation we were treated to could not have been more diverse. When we arrived in Colombo we were immediately driven south of the city and as dawn was breaking, we found ourselves hopping on a boat towards the tranquil island resort of Bentota. Helen and I had to pinch ourselves that we were actually there; it was unbelievable that we had actually won this trip. The view over the vast lagoon and across to the Indian Ocean was so beautiful. Each night our accommodation was idyllic and carefully chosen for its amenities, location, character or ability to provide an unforgettable experience. From the private bungalows and pool at Crystal Villas, Weligama to the phenomenal views over the city of Kandy from Hotel Topaz, we were treated to some of the most memorable locations. It is perhaps not every day you get to wash by a fresh water well in the heart of the jungle, or sleep in a tent guarded by armed night watchmen while fearing an elephant may decide to walk through your tent at a whim. Then a week later we enjoyed the luxuries offered to us at the grand marbled Mount Lavinia hotel and briefly sampled the decadent life enjoyed by those staying at the unique boutique style ‘Elephant Corridor’ concept in Sigriya.

Some of the beaches of Sri Lanka were those imagined only in dreams, the sea was like a warm bath and the coloured sunsets over the ocean were truly awesome. Watching fishermen mount their wooden stilts in the anticipation of catching a few fish that day or watching the boys surf the waves made this trip unforgettable. The continually changing landscape of this teardrop shaped island really surprised me, it’s diverse beauty made it incredibly photogenic. One of the most fantastic views was enjoyed after our late afternoon ascent of the spectacular rock fortress at Sigiriya. Although the climb was a little nerve wracking for a vertigo sufferer like myself, the panoramic views from the top were truly awesome. From the beaches to the bustling towns to the hill country to the ancient cities, Sri Lanka contained more for the senses than I had anticipated.

I honestly believe that this was a trip that money could not buy. The unpredictable nature of each day, the spontaneity of each event was always coupled with well-organised transportation and a careful selection of places to rest and eat. Suranjan provided us with a wealth of facts, figures and amusing anecdotes along the way and consequently, my knowledge of Sri Lanka increased daily. Although I definitely won’t miss the early wake up knocks on my door, I will miss his enthusiasm to embrace the day and share aspects of a land he obviously loves. Helen and I were always aware that this was partly intended to be a promotional trip and despite unforeseen circumstances that prevented us reaching certain planned destinations such as the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, I look back with very fond memories. I believe that there is an obvious future for this kind of unique, off the beaten track, ecologically minded tourism in Sri Lanka. I hope that I may enjoy it once again in the not too distant future.

A Journey to Sri Lanka by: Sally Emerry & Helen Hambley from Oxford

Nikki Soaks up Sri Lanka

By Nikki Bayley ..for a trip you’ll be glad you tuk-tuk

As we land, I’m greeted by a whoosh of sticky humidity – and left in no doubt I’m far from the familiar coffee and burger chains that seem to follow you around the world.

On the short transfer to the hotel we pass motorised tuk-tuks whizzing past on dusty roads and streetsellers with their stalls piled high with mangos. Schoolchildren dressed in crisp white uniforms giggle and wave as elegant women in rainbowcoloured saris drift past, shaded by their parasols. It is my first time in Asia… and from the moment I step off the plane at Colombo airport I’m hooked.

The plan is to tour Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle”, taking in some of its seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the way. As a relatively small island – Sri Lanka is about the size of Ireland – you can cover a surprising amount of ground, even in just a week.

My first overnight stop at the gloriously relaxing Club Dolphin gives me a tantalising glimpse of why the country’s beaches are some of the best in the world. Golden and dotted with palm trees, it is a slice of paradise.

And now it’s perfectly safe, with the end of the island’s civil war. If beaches are what you want, then unlike many monsoon-climate countries, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination as the dry season on the south-west coast is from November until April and the east coast is dry from May until September.

I’m up early the next day and, after a traditional breakfast of fish curry and rice noodles, it is off to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Founded by the government in 1975 to take care of just four baby elephants, today its is home to the largest group of captive elephants in the world.

We arrive as they are taking one of their twice-daily baths. It is amazing seeing so many elephants together. They hose each other down in the cooling water, the older elephants carefully guarding the smaller ones from sight. But when I finally glimpse the babies, my heart melts – they’re tiny, hairy and absolutely adorable.

About 30km north is the Dambulla Rock Temple, the first of the UNESCO sites: five caves which date back to the 1st Century BC, with vibrant patterns and endless Buddhas painted on the walls and ceilings, and more than 150 golden Buddha statues. You need to put in a bit of work to get the reward – climbing the many steps to the temple, running the gauntlet of souvenir sellers and snake-charmers on the way up. One word of warning: if you do accept a helping hand on the way up from the “guides”, you will be expected to tip them. And on entering the temple you need to remove your shoes and hat, and cover your arms and knees to show respect.

Once you’ve sweated your way up, the view is magnificent, looking over the distant mountains, through the intense green of the banana and coconut palms, towards Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress with its beautiful fresco paintings, another UNESCO site with hundreds of steps up to reach its 300 metre-high summit.

The next morning it is another early start as I head for Polonnaruwa, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka. A ticket for the museum (2,850 rupees – about £16) gives you entry to all the parks gardens there. Bring a picnic as you can easily spend hours lost in amazement, walking through the gardens and admiring the intricate carvings on the ruins of what must once have been a stunning city.

A fun way to see it might be to hire a tuk-tuk for the day – it shouldn’t cost more than about 2,000 rupees (about £11) plus petrol. Definitely stop at a King Coconut stall. For about 30 rupees (about 20p), the stallholder will show off his machete skills, chopping your fruit into a slurpable mug. Delicious!

We head further south towards Kandy, a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from around the world, about 70 miles from Colombo. According to Sri Lankan legend, when Buddha died, his body was cremated on a sandalwood pyre. One of his teeth was retrieved and it is now in Kandy, in the golden Temple of the Tooth Relic.

The sumptuous paintings, lavish layers of gold and overwhelming perfume of hundreds of frangipani flowers left as tributes create a meditative atmosphere.

Outside, monkeys scamper around the ornate carvings in the wooden roof and, beyond the moat that surrounds the temple, elephants flick their ears in the heat of the day. It is a magical place that will cast a spell over even the most cynical visitor.

Sri Lanka is, of course, famous for its tea and the main plantations are in the cloudy mountains of Nuwara Eliya, where the fields stretch as far as the eye can see. Women labour there, with baskets hanging from loops across their foreheads. They work long, hard hours for barely £1 a day. If you can, try to visit a Fair Trade factory – they provide help, such as micro-loans and schooling, for workers.

After a night in the Grand Hotel, the former residence of the governor of Sri Lanka, I spend the next day wandering around the pretty colonial town, amused to spot a doubledecker London bus, sent over after the tsunami. Being a foreigner makes me something of an attraction, with everyone keen to show off their English skills: “Hello! Bye bye.”

I visit the Ramya Tex sari shop and pick up a genuine pashmina for a fraction of the cost at home.

Lunch is at the Cafe Milano, a plate of spicy curry and rice, which you mix with your right hand into little mouthfuls. It cost just 165 rupees (less than £1). Newspapers are provided as napkins and my clumsy efforts at neatly rolling the curry and rice mix is clearly the entertainment for the day.

My final destination, Rafters Retreat (www.raftersretreat.com) in Kitulgala, is far from the colonial luxury of the Grand Hotel but easily my favourite, an eco lodge created by a rafting legend called Channa. I sleep soundly in a treehouse. The bathroom is accessed through a trapdoor and the shower is cool spring water that shoots over a rock.

My next experience fills me with fear: white-water rafting. I’ve never done it before but I’m persuaded to try – and I’m glad I do. It is exhilarating and I am amazed what fun it is racing down the rapids, following Channa’s soft calls, “…paddle forward… hard left… hard right…”. The journey ends with a float down the river, the chirps and whistles of birds a perfect accompaniment to the water’s roar.

Far overhead, a plane is leaving Colombo, I’ll be on it the next day, but in the meantime, I think I’ll just go with the flow…

Thanks: mirror.co.uk

Sri Lanka with Lara Gould

Why this lush, lovely island will suit you to a tea..

If you’re looking for a long-haul trip with a difference then Sri Lanka – a teardrop-shaped island off the coast of India – is the place to find it.

My 10-day trip started in the centre of the island, which at the time of travel was the furthest north tourists were advised to travel.

But now the island’s civil war is over there’s a lot more to see.

I stayed at Chaya Village, a collection of bungalows nestled in a leafy lakeside retreat which made the perfect base for our trip to one of the island’s landmarks – Sigirya Rock.

The rock, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is similar to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia. Its huge outcrop towers over the flat landscape at over 370m (1,214ft) high.

Steep metal steps have been built into the rockface, allowing tourists to make the 40-minute climb to the fortress at the plateau.

This incredible fortress city- which even has its own swimming pool – was built in the 5th Century. Film buffs will recognise it as the backdrop for the Indiana Jones films.

Entrance to the site costs £12pp, but is well worth it, if only for the incredible 360-degree view from the top of the rock, where I could see thunderstorms slowly closing in.

After all that climbing, I was ready for a rest.

So I opted for an afternoon by the infinity pool. Being a former British colony, everyone speaks English in Sri Lanka, so there was no language barrier as I ordered a cocktail from the bar.

I travelled in July during the rainy season, when the heavens opened twice a day. Between downpours, the island was warm and sunny.

The city of Kandy is a short drive away. Its most famous sight is the Temple of the Tooth – which, as its name suggests, is the home to a relic of Buddha’s original tooth.

There are loads of restaurants offering rice and curry – in Sri Lanka it’s always rice and curry, never the other way round – for less than £1. But when the busy roads and tuk-tuk drivers touting for business become too much, it’s time to head for the hills.

The lush land that circles Kandy offers welcome respite from the vibrancy of the centre, not to mention fantastic views of the city.

Visitors can also take a trip to the calm botanical gardens which boast a wealth of tropical plants.

My second hotel was the Chaaya Citadel, overlooking the jungle that edges the city.

From there it was less than a 45-minute drive to Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destination – the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. The sanctuary opened in 1972 and offers visitors a chance to watch elephants being fed by their keepers and then led down to the river for their twice-daily bath.

The sight – not to mention the sound – of more than 60 elephants making the half-mile trek is quite something. Witnessing them showering each other with water is a must. After a relaxing night it was time to pack my bag and move on again – this time up into the mountains.

No trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a visit to the hub of the island’s tea industry. These small shrub-like trees cover miles of the mountainous uplands and tea remains central to the economy.

The two-hour drive winding up through to the tea plantations was like crossing time zones. From the close tropical heat of Kandy, I found myself in the cool, misty greenery of the town of Nuwara Eliya. This settlement is dubbed Little England, and as the coach snaked through the plantations to my hotel it was easy to see why.

Nuwara Eliya could be mistaken for a well-to-do British outpost, with its private golf course nestled amid mock-Tudor mansions. The plush hill club even offered traditional British food in its upmarket dining room.

After a four-hour descent towards the south of the island, the prospect of relaxing on a beach came as a relief. Bentota, on the south-west coast, is an area popular with Brits and there are hotels for most budgets.

I opted for the Bentota Beach Hotel. It is circled by gardens and has a large heated outdoor swimming pool and stunning beach views.

The powerful waves of the Indian Ocean crashing on to the shore were a reminder of when this region was hit by the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.

Evidence of the destruction is still visible. I took the train to Galle – an hour’s ride for less than a pound – and passed a railway carriage still lying where it had been knocked off its rails by the tidal wave. The amazing railway line, which snakes the southeast coast, is a great way to see the landscape and escape the midday heat.

The coastal port of Galle marks the southernmost tip of the island and is most famous for its 400-year-old Dutch fort in the old town.

Galle is considered one of the best examples of Sri Lanka’s colonial past – a combination of Dutch, Portuguese and English styles.

Rounding off our trip I moved on to Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo.

This sprawling metropolis couldn’t be further from the small-scale bustle of Kandy or the faded grandeur of the Hill Country.

It’s definitely worth spending a day here, if only to scratch beneath the surface of the gritty urban landscape. The city’s clutch of upmarket hotels are centred around the Cinnamon Garden district and boast swish interiors and exquisite fresh seafood. Shoppers are also well catered for with small, Western-style shopping malls everywhere, making this a great place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs.

Thanks: mirror.co.uk

Sri Lanka hotels seeing strong occupancy levels for 2010

The Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) this week that the January 2010 performance of hotels in the country has been excellent with arrivals reaching 50,750, a 32% increase on January 2009.

A statement by the THASL President Srilal Miththapala said the main contribution to this increase has been the British market, up by 24.6%, Germany up by 54% and India up by 73.5%. January and February are two of the busiest months in the tourism calendar and is the peak of the high season.

In January 2010, resort hotels had occupancies close upon 70% to 80% for the month. Even the circuit hotels in the cultural triangle area, which were relatively low, have picked up and are now doing well with about 65% occupancy levels. Mr. Miththapala said these high occupancies, coupled with enhanced high season room rates has resulted in almost all resort hotels posting high revenues for the month with healthy net profit returns.

Many hotels are also facing over-booking situations, a ‘problem’ which Sri Lankan hotels have not experienced for a long time. In Colombo, five star hotels have done very well reaching occupancy levels of 55% to 60%, indicating a 25% year on year growth. Mr. Miththapala said this increase has come from the leisure and corporate segment and not necessarily from convention and incentive travel.

The lower category city hotels have fared much better with an occupancy rates closer to 80%.

Overall, the THASL is expecting February 2010 to be ever better if the rapid increase in tourist arrivals continues. With the contracting season for room sales for next winter now underway, most hoteliers will be looking to adjust their rates to reflect a more realistic price level from the current rate structures which were in place during the war situation. Mr. Miththapala said some of the bigger hotel companies will be undertaking several refurbishing and upgrading programmes during the forthcoming summer months.

As a result, there will be some room stock reduced from the inventory for the summer period. The Negombo area in particular will see several hotels partially reducing their operations, to undertake substantial refurbishing activities.

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Ceylon Tea Trails wins top Travellers Choice Awards 2010

Following close on the heels of the two awards won in 2009, Ceylon Tea Trails has won three Travellers’ Choice Awards in 2010 from TripAdvisor Honours World’s Top Hotels. They are Top 10 All Inclusive Resorts in the World; Top 10 Best Service in Asia and Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Asia, the Sri Lankan company – part of the Dilmah Group, said.

Ceylon Tea Trails is the world’s first tea bungalow resort connected by walking trails, situated in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel community, with more than 32 million visitors every month, 9 million members and 20 million reviews and opinions generated monthly by actual travellers who cover more than 300,000 hotels in 30,000 destinations worldwide.

Unlike other hotel awards programmes, the “Travellers’ Choice Awards” are based on an analysis of real, unbiased reviews and opinions by actual guests. Extracts from typical reviews of Tea Trails at tripadvisor.com say, “Most magical place in the WORLD….one of the most special places I have ever stayed, anywhere…..Small piece of heaven….So perfect it felt like a dream!”

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Taprobane Island – The Gem of Paradise!

By Nilma Dole — One of the most beautiful islands, 200 yards off the Southern Coast in the centre of Weligama Bay, is definitely Taprobane Island upon which a stunning view of the Indian Ocean will stun your senses. Keeping in mind that there is nothing between the island or the South Pole, the destination is a green, tree-top island with an idyllic setting.

Nominated by world-renowned travel magazine Conde Naste Traveller as one of the Top 50 romantic destinations in the world, Taprobane Island was built in the 1920s by the eccentric English Count de Mauny as his humble abode. It has passed many ownerships and has been a getaway for many celebrities like Robin Maugham, Paul Bowels, Arthur C. Clarke, and Peggy Guggenheim.

Today, the Galle Literary Festival GLF founder Geoffrey Dobbs is the proprietor of the place, revealing the secluded spot to the rich and the famous. We managed to saunter to the island after some literary gossip at the (GLF) but did get wet feet trying to enter the island but we were in good spirits. Once on the island, we were welcomed with some fresh lemon juice served by the hospitable caretakers who are part of a five member team who made our stay at the Island comfortable.

The sweet-smelling Araliya and the lush coconut palms swaying in the breeze made it feel as it we had stepped onto a miniature Paradise. Taprobane Island is a fitting example of Sri Lankan tourism haven which has been blessed by astounding tropical magic at its Southern tip. During the 2004 tsunami when most of the visitors had to hold on to trees for dear life, they managed to survive since the Island had breakers around for protection.

Set on two and a half acres of exotic beauty, there are 5 en-suite bedrooms, with enough relaxing space to stretch your aching legs and live the Islander life. The gorgeous infinity pool overlooks the Weligama Bay with a pristine 180 degree view which feels like a drop straight into the sea. Ensuring that you can relax and take it easy while you are on Taprobane Island, you can read from a collection of amazing books, most of the writers who have attended the GLF since its inception in 2007.

The island was obviously named Taprobane due to its spitting image of the majestic Sri Lanka itself, where the tastefully-designed Neo-Palladian mansion was carved to perfection by Count de Mauny. According to researcher Tim Porter, the Count fashioned an octagonal villa that permitted verandahs which was a 1930’s architectural folly where tropical gardens extend through the foliage to the overhanging edges, fully occupying the crest of the island.

Rooms look outward from a stupendous middle space, with verandahs spilling out to embrace the landscaped garden and stepped terraces hovering over the ocean, one has the sensation there of living on a magnificent cruise ship.

According to Tim Porter, the island became neglected for many years until a brief period in the 1970’s when the son of the painter Balthus held court there and captivated many a young visitor! It was not, however, until 1995 when the present owner moved in, that the process of restoring the island to its heyday was begun.

Travel writer Paul Bowles stated that at one point, all cobras found in Sri Lanka were put into sacks, carried across to Taprobane Island and left there, since in Sri Lanka one doesn’t kill snakes. Luckily, cobras do not scare visitors nowadays. Today, Geoffrey Dobbs entertains literary gurus, artists, celebrities and many more to this wonderful paradise making it the highlight of the GLF.

After a deserving siesta at Taprobane Island after the GLF, the finale party was held that night on the Island itself which made a fiesta!

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Muthurajawela marshlands in Sri Lanka

The name Muthurajawela has been coined from Sinhala meaning simply the Swamp of Royal Treasure for the treasures of kings in olden days are believed to be buried in that area. The Muthurajawela marshlands are situated towards the southern part of Negombo and its boundaries span from the Negombo lagoon which also helps to create a coastal eco-system, and the Kelaniya River located at the northern tip of Colombo.

The Muthurajawela marshlands are supposed to be Sri Lankas largest saline peat bog. It is believed to have originated about 7000 years ago as there are some residuals which have been in existence 500 years ago. The Muthurajawela is home to a multitude of endemic species of flora and fauna. About 192 flora and 209 fauna, excluding 102 species of birds have been discovered.

On a pleasant day, bird watchers can be treated to water birds such as herons, egrets in abundance in the lagoon and the marsh. It is also a residence for 40 different species of fish, of which 15 falls under the category of indigenous fauna.

The nocturnal animal, slender Loris, which is believed to be endangered, can be seen once in a blue moon. Muthurajawela marsh has been declared as a sanctuary by the government in 1996 due to its vast bio diversity. Covering a total land area of over 7,000 hectares, the Muthurajawela marsh and Negombo lagoon are part of a greater wetland ecosystem.

The Muthurajawela marshlands are the largest marsh area in the country and is a distinctive wetland habitat that is home to a variety of animals including reptiles and birds. The wetland ecosystem, however, is under severe threat caused by destructive fishing, encroachment, expanding housing areas, water pollution and social disparity.

However steps are now being taken by the government of Sri Lanka to minimize these problems by integrated planning process. Muthurajawela marsh, Negombo serves numerous uses which include fishery, agriculture, trade and shipping and habitation from the past.

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Sri Lankan Airlines changing the way we fly

SriLankan Airlines promises its passengers, “We are changing the way we fly” a SriLankan Airlines has embarked on an exciting new journey that would give their passengers a richer taste of the paradise, they already know and love.

The Airline is introducing a whole new experience on ground and in the air, that promises its passengers a total ‘Change in the way You fly! Beginning the journey with its iconic logo the monara or the peacock, the airline’s front line staff from cabin to ground crew will sport a brand new look and a warmer smile.

But the charm, elegance and grace of the peacock will be preserved as stewardesses at SriLankan Airlines undergo the transformation. Their iconic Kandyan Saree uniform still retains its oriental charm but yet have a distinctive modern appeal and contemporary look.

The new colour palette plays with the soft hues of sea blue splashed with the delicate multi-hued motifs of the peacock feather with its shimmering iridescent bursts of electric orange mottled with dark, light blue and white.

While the women and men who take care of every little detail of a passengers’ comfort on ground and in flight, will offer a vastly improved level of service, decked in their new uniforms, the airline’s onboard kitchen has turned an entirely new chapter in their in flight meal service and offers its passengers a tempting array of mouth watering signature dishes and cocktails never served on board before.

And passengers have the added choice of ordering from a new A la carte menu and having their meals literally cooked on board! ‘While new menus, served by a cabin team with a brand new look is guaranteed to tempt the most discerning passengers’ taste buds, a whole new experience in, in flight entertainment also awaits movie buffs.

SriLankan Airlines will continue this journey of new discovery with more comfortable seats on board with more leg space and flat bed seats in the business class.

Trimmings and trappings on board, like the seat covers will also change to give a completely new look and feel to the experience of travelling with SriLankan Airlines, which aims to be one of the best in Asia.

Passengers who fly SriLankan Airlines may wonder if they are really airborne or at a gourmet restaurant in one of the world’s top gastronomic capitals.

The airline’s flight kitchen led by a team of chefs from the Hot and Cold Kitchens; Bakery; and Confectionery headed by Production Manager Sudhish Kumar Pande and Executive Chef Anthony Gibson has designed menus to pamper the palate and titillate the taste buds beyond imagination.

‘Passengers will have an entirely new experience of an intimate, personalised service as the in flight staff wheels a five-star meal to your seat whenever you wish to dine. All boundaries of space and time have been stretched enabling passengers to enjoy a multi-gastronomic experience at their will.’

The new menus reflect a truly global feel and flavour. Complementing the wide international array on offer, Sri Lankan dishes have been re-defined and re-invented to encompass a sensational range of aromas and tastes to seduce our thousands of passengers.

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Sri Lanka Tourism launches global communication campaign

The launch of the website www.visitsrilanka-2011.com for the CNN global tourism promotion campaign of Sri Lanka was held recently in Colombo (November 2009). The website is an interactive affair and is designed in such a manner that the users are invited to be a part of the campaign.

‘The website was launched to complement the Visit Sri Lanka Year 2011 and will serve as an impetus to kickstart the campaign. It is a tremendous achievement for Sri Lanka Tourism to be partnering with an international media powerhouse such as CNN. “We will ensure that we gain the maximum exposure and potential from the synergies that will be created from this association” said Tourism Minister, Achala Jagoda.

This is the first time a 360 degree social networking campaign will be launched on CNN through Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Flickr and a contest whereby the winners get their dream itinerary which includes 9 friends. This contest, carried out in collaboration with Sri Lankan Airlines and their industry partners, will be launched on a CNN micro-site.
Speaking on this special collaboration, Junji Sumitani, Sales Director, S.E. Asia, CNN International said, “CNN is proud to collaborate with Sri Lanka tourism on their unique travel campaign to showcase the best the country has to offer. CNN’s multi-platform campaign brings together on-air and interactive online elements through a dedicated site and social networks to engage users to experience Sri Lanka like never before. This campaign leverages CNN’s extensive reach amongst travellers around the world.”

Sri Lanka Tourism recognizes the role of social marketing in today’s business climate, which will be an important tool in this marketing campaign. High profile Sri Lankans, including entrepreneurs, fashion icons and leading business people are coming onboard to blog for Sri Lanka on Twitter. Sri Lanka Tourism also encourages the general public to blog on Sri Lanka. Interested bloggers are invited to write in to Sri Lanka Tourism if they are keen to be a part of this venture where by they are able to interact via Facebook and send e-cards. Post conflict all eyes are on Sri Lanka, and it’s never been a better time to showcase the island’s scenic imagery via e-cards available on http://local.visitsrilanka-2011.com.

‘We would like to keep up with the times and move away from conventional methods of promoting Sri Lanka as a destination. It is an experiment for us in two-fold, we are using marketing tools that are new to us and marketing Sri Lanka for the first time in 30 years as a peaceful destination. It marks an exciting period in Sri Lanka’s history and we are delighted to be a part of it,’ added Minister of Tourism Promotion, Faiszer Musthapha.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has carefully chosen a panel of Sri Lankan personalities, who will serve as experts on the micro-site. These ‘Sri Lankan Champions’ are the essence of Sri Lanka, thus are responsible for addressing any questions and concerns raised by users on the interactive micro-site.

The website users will find company with Sri Lankan personalities handpicked by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau including internationally recognized film maker – Vimukthi Jayasundara, Director Design at Buddhi Batiks – Darshi Keerthisena, CEO of Jetwing Eco Holidays – Gehan De S Wijeratne, Miss Sri Lanka 2009 – Gamya Wijayadasa, three times represented Sri Lanka in Olympic games – Julian Bolling, Otara Gunawardene – CEO of ODEL, Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka Cricket Captain, to name a few.

Commenting on this historic association Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka Cricket Captain said, “This is a very exciting new era for Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and it is therefore fitting that Sri Lanka Tourism has embarked upon such an innovative and interactive social networking campaign to help spread the word around the globe about our beautiful tropical island home – a land of warm sunshine, wide smiles, rich heritage and astonishing diversity”.

Sri Lanka Tourism is hoping to build on the rapid growth in inbound American tourist market. This has been further enhanced by New York Times and Daily Candy Washington declaring Sri Lanka as the No: 1 idyllic getaway spot for tourists, Recent arrival figures from the US has shown an significant increase of 1.3% in arrivals from January to December 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. This is especially encouraging because the United States of America is not a traditionally key market of Sri Lanka due to connectivity issues.

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Ramayana Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

THE RAMAYANA

For over thousands of years, the Ramayana, epic of Asia, has had an unshakeable hold on the beliefs of vast multitudes of Asia’s teeming millions. As diverse span of humanity as Kashmiri pandits and Cambodian fishermen, it is the universal heritage of all humanity.

Emerging from the mists of the forested banks of India’s northernmost rivers, the crown jewel of a rich oral tradition, the song of Valmiki has become a pillar of principles, a symbol of the victory of good over evil, and a metaphor for the battle between the forces of light and darkness within every human soul.

The legend of Rama, Prince of Ayodhya, where the darkly handsome prince in exile, unswervingly confronts and overcomes fearsome odds in the form of the mightiest demon-king of his time and the heartbreaking injustices of court intrigues, with equanimity and generosity in thought and action, has also left behind a rich legacy of sites and temples in the country where the most significant events of this epic took place – Lankapura – Sri Lanka.

SRI LANKA’S RICH RAMAYANA HERITAGE

Sri Lanka is the proud custodian of more than 50 Ramayana sites from the place of Seetha Devi’s captivity to the battlefields where vast armies clashed, to the groves of exotic herbs dropped by the monkey god Hanuman, to the ultimate theatre of war where Lord Rama slew Ravana, the ten-headed demon-king.

People living in the areas where great events took place, remember to this day the connection of their soil to the great epic. An oath taken at the spot where Seetha Devi undertook ‘Agni Pariksha’ is still considered valid in village courts or grama sabhas. The colour of the soil of the ancient battlefield is still red today, and is still surrounded by lighter coloured earth. One of the airports of Ravana, torched by Hanuman when he came looking for Seetha Devi, still has a scorched-earth look. A patch of darker soil surrounded by brown earth. Exotic alpine Himalayan species are found suddenly amidst tropical Sri Lankan vegetation, the legacy of Hanuman’s heroic voyage carrying a mountain with life-restoring herbs.

Incredibly, the names of places have come down to modern times unchanged. Though great social, cultural and religious changes have taken place in Sri Lanka since.

Below are some Sri Lankan glimpses of this legacy and a glorious age whose events define and guide us to this day.

Seetha Kotuwa

Location: Gurulupotha – Hasalaka

Legend: These jungles are the place where the city of Lankapura once stood. The city had a beautiful palace for queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika. Seetha Kotuwa means Seetha’s fort and got its name because of Seetha Devi’s stay here.

Distance from Colombo 190 km

The Chariot Path and Seetha Tear pond

Location: The jungle on the top of Ramboda Hills, on the Kandy – Gampola – Nuwara Eliya Road.

Legend: The barren land here is believed to be the route along which Ravana took Seetha Devi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, to show her the beauty of his kingdom which was a paradise on earth. To date no vegetation grows on this passage except grass.

Distance from Colombo 160 km

Seetha Amman Temple

Location: Seetha Eliya on Nuwara-Eliya – Welimada Road

Legend: A temple for Lord Rama, Seetha Devi, Luxshmana and Hanuman built on the sides of the stream where Seetha Devi bathed.

Distance from Colombo 195 km

Ussangoda

Location: This is situated in the Southern Coast between Ambalantota and Tangalle

Legend: According to Ramayana, after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the event that unfolded Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire by the Rakshasas,who in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana’s empire. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana.

Distance from Colombo 225 km

Ishtripura / Konda Kattu Gala

Location: This is situated in the Welimada Area

Legend: Ishtripura means an area of women in Sinhala. This was one of the places to which King Ravana shifted Seetha Devi as a precautionary measure, which he was forced to take by Lord Hanuman’s advent.

Seetha Devi took a bath in the stream close by and had dried her hair sitting on a rock and put clips to her hair, hence this rock is known as Konda Kattu Gala.

Distance from Colombo 230 km

Ravana Cave

Location: From Bandarawela pass Ella to Ravana Cave

Legend: These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage. They networked all the important cities, airports and dairy farms. A close look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not natural formations.

Existing tunnel mouths are also situated at Ishtripura in Welimada, Senapitiya in Halagala, Ramboda, Labookelle, Wariyapola in Matale, and Seetha Kotuwa in Hasalaka and in many more places.

Distance from Colombo 220 km

Yudhaganawa

Location: Situated in the midst of the jungle Wasgamuwa

Legend: It is said that this particular piece of land can never bear any vegetation as this served as the battlefield and had borne the brunt of destruction.

Distance from Colombo 240 km

Dunuwila

Location: In the Matale District on the outskirts of Wasgamuwa National Park

Legend: Dunuwila is the place from where Lord Rama fired the brahmaastharam at King Ravana, which eventually killed him. Dhunu means arrow and wila means lake. This place got its name because Lord Rama fired his arrow from this lake.

Distance from Colombo 240 km

Rumassala Sanjeevani Drops

Location: Unawatuna, Galle

Legend: At different points of time during the war both Lord Rama and Luxshmana were hit by powerful arrows, fell unconscious and to bring them back to life Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch the life saving herbs from Himalaya. Hanuman went to the hill, lifted the whole hill and brought it, as he was not able to remember and identify the life saving herbs alone. Parts from the hill fell on five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumassala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya, Ritigala on the Habarana – Anuradhapura Road, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.

Distance from Colombo 125 km

Divurumpola

Location: It is situated 15 km from Seetha Eliya on Nuwara-Eliya – Welimada Road.

Legend: This is the place where Seetha Devi underwent “Agni Pariksha” (test). It is a popular place of worship among locals in this area. Divurumpola means place of oath in Sinhala. The legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling disputes between parties.

Distance from Colombo 210 km

Muneshwaram

Location: About 5 km from Chilaw Town

Legend: Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya in one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by Bramahathi Dosham as he killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. He stopped the Vimana at this juncture because he felt at this place the “Bramahathi Dosham” was not following him. He discended from the Vimana and asked God Shiva for a remedy. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install and pray four lingams in Manavari, Thirukoneshwaram, Thiruketheeswaram and Rameshwaram in India, as the only remedy to get rid of the Dosham.

Distance from Colombo 85 km