srilanka - OutboundHolidays

Sri Lanka’s answer to Mardi Gras

Kandy, Sri Lanka: A cannon booms and the crack of a dozen whips pierce the warm night. The colourful, pulsating Esala Perahera procession has begun.

A centuries-old celebration of Sri Lankan Buddhism, the annual festival is a parade of whirling dancers, elaborately costumed elephants, stilt walkers and fire throwers as you’ve never seen before.

Its soundtrack is a cacophony of percussionists pounding traditional drums, dancers clanging finger cymbals and the rhythmic thumping of mock sword battles.

The 11-day-long celebration in the central city of Kandy shines like Mardi Gras and rocks like Carnival, but without the decadence, liquor or women in skimpy outfits.

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It is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions and is a major symbol of nationalism for the country’s ethnic Sinhalese majority, stoking memories of the kings who once ruled this teardrop-shaped island off the southern tip of India.

The centrepiece of the celebration is the Sacred Tooth Relic, which tradition holds is one of the few remnants of the Buddha to survive his cremation more than 2,500 years ago. The tooth was smuggled from India to Sri Lanka nearly 1,700 years ago to protect it from an angry king who wanted to destroy it, according to legend.

The modern perahera descended from the royal custom of parading the closely guarded tooth through the streets once a year to give the public a glimpse of the holy relic.

The relic itself is no longer taken out of the temple in Kandy where it is kept; it is considered far too precious. But one elephant in the parade does carry a replica of the gold casket that contains it.

Thought to hold special powers, including the ability to bring rain, the tooth became the symbol of sovereignty over Sri Lanka. Whoever possessed it was considered the nation’s legitimate ruler.

As new dynasties took power, the tooth travelled with them to their new capitals. Ruins of temples built to house the tooth are scattered across the country.

When foreign invaders tried to capture the relic, monks spirited it to safety in remote villages and hid it in plain caskets and even a millstone until the invaders were repelled.

The relic is such a powerful symbol that when suspected ethnic Tamil rebels – who continue to fight a civil war here – wanted to strike at the heart of Sinhalese nationalism, they bombed the current Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.

That 1998 attack killed 17 people. The next day, the government outlawed the Tamil Tiger group. With a flare-up in the quarter-century war over the past 2 1/2 years, security for the perahera procession has been tightened, the parade route cordoned off and everyone entering searched.

The procession grows longer and increasingly elaborate over the course of the festival’s 11 days. The dates of the festival are set according to the lunar calendar. It will run from Aug. 7-17 this year.

Few foreign tourists have attended the perahera in recent years, but for its crowning final night, Sri Lankans begin staking out seats along the parade route at 6 a.m. – 14 hours before the temple’s cannon marks the start.

The parade is led by a procession of men cracking whips. Behind them march a group of men spinning baskets of fire attached by 6-foot-long (1.83-meter-long) chains to metal bands on their heads. Some lie on the pavement and contort theirs neck to swing the fire in circles around their bodies.

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Other men toss large circles of iron, akin to huge bicycle wheels with flames at the end of the spokes, 20 feet (6.1 meters) into the air.

There are stilt-walkers, shirtless dancers clanging cymbals, and seemingly never-ending groups of men pounding traditional Kandyan drums. Some troupes, dressed as warriors, stage syncopated fights, thumping their swords against their opponents’ shields.

But the real stars are the elephants, dozens and dozens of them, each in unique, elaborate costumes. Some wear robes of deep red or purple draped over their backs with gem-encrusted masks covering their heads and ears and flowing down their trunks.

Some wear outfits woven with scores of tiny lights, with gold caps on the end of their trunks.

Some carry important Buddhist monks and temple luminaries on their backs. Others carry sacred artefacts in pagodas.

Tourists who want a good view can spend the day guarding a patch of sidewalk, rent a reserved chair in front of some hotels and restaurants or book a room at the historically shabby Queens hotel with a balcony or a window overlooking the route.

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The reserved seats are helpful, especially if one wants the freedom to come and go during the more than four-hour parade.

But the hotel is by far the most comfortable option. And with the sale of alcohol officially banned during the festivities, some room service waiters are willing to sneak a few bottles of beer to guests watching from their rooms.

Sri Lanka

Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel, Negombo, Sri Lanka

DELUXE BEACH RESORT | 102 A/C ROOMS | 2 FAMILY SUITES

In a lush tropical garden set out in the vicinity of a golden stretch of the Negombo shoreline, the Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel offers exquisite service and accommodation with spectacular sea views from their large private terraces.

The Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel is located 12 km [15 minutes drive] from the Colombo International airport and only 43 km from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Besides being close to the country’s only international airport, the hotel is also in close proximity to all local conveniences.

ACCOMMODATION

Bright and airy, the rooms at Jetwing Blue Oceanic offer comfort and privacy coupled with fantastic views of the Indian Ocean. All rooms are well appointed with modern amenities and all the comforts of home.

The total numbers of guest rooms are 106 and include 2 family suites. Room Area – 27 sq. meters. Bathroom area – 6 sq. meters

Room Facilities: Central air-conditioning with individual temperature controls – Electric Power – 220 to 240v – Ceiling Fans – IDD Telephone – Mini Bar – Bath & Shower – Hot & Cold water – Piped music – Multi Channel Televisions – Piped music – Room Safes

CUISINE

The dining at Blue Oceanic is far better than the hotels star rating suggests, absolutely five star cuisine coupled with superb service is evident in all the hotels outlets.

Main restaurant – Continental, western, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Sri Lanka buffet with themed evenings – Seafood restaurant: Outrigger – Center point bar & Grill, the pool bar – Pizza counter at Center Point Bar & Grill – Lobby Bar

FACILITIES

Foreign exchange encashment – Hair & Beauty salon at Blue Oceanic – All major Credit cards accepted – IDD telephone facilities – Facsimile – E-mail and Internet services – Ayurvedic treatment programmes at Ayurveda Niwasa – Doctor on call – Car Rental Services – Parking facilities – Kiddies corner – Laundry/Dry cleaning – Baby sitter on request – Baby cots on request – Hotel shop – Gem & Jewellery shop – 10% discount on Food & Beverages at any other Jetwing Hotel in Negombo and vies-versa – Daily Housekeeping – Hair dryer on request – Post Office

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Fully equipped Gymnasium – Swimming pool – Tennis Court at The Beach [Flood lit] – Squash Court – Table Tennis – Beach games – Boat rides – Scuba diving during winter – cycling – Boat & Catamaran tours – Volley ball [flood lit] – Evening programmes with live entertainment [Live bands, Magic shows, Fire limbo. etc] – Karaoke Music at Checkers’ bar – Live DJ at the Center Point every Friday and Saturday.

Check-in/Check-out Time: Check-in is 12.00 noon and Check-Out is 11.00 a.m. An earlier Check-in or later Check-out can be requested on a case by case basis and the resort may agree depending on availability.

Address: Negombo, Sri Lanka

Airport: Bandaranaike – Colombo International – 30 minutes

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Sri Lanka

‘Life’ Resort SriLanka for better life

‘Life Ayurveda Resort’, one of the pioneering Ayurveda therapy hotels, is located right on the Beach in Thalpitiya, Wadduwa, just 45 minutes drive from Colombo. Though it is nearly ten years old, ‘Life’ came to be known better after Aloysius Dissanayake, the Director/General Manager took over few years back.

The main Ayurvedic Physician of the Resort is Dr Mrs. Chandrika Dissanayake, who is the wife of DGM of the Resort.

This husband and wife combination of the Ayurveda Travel business has done the magical development to the Resort and gained a name as the top medical tourism attraction in Sri Lanka.

‘Most of our customers Europeans and Germans head the top in arrivals’ said Aloysius Dissanayake

‘Life Ayurveda Resort’ formally known as Lotus Ayurveda Hotel, consists of ten air conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, well equipped treatment Centre and the main restaurant.

The Restaurant serves local and international cuisine and special Ayurvedic food is served for guests on doctor’s recommendation.

‘Our main asset is the well equipped Ayurvedic Treatment Centre and it is the focal point of this Resort. Well trained and experienced Ayurvedic Therapists and qualified Ayurvedic Physicians are at guests or at patients’ service.

Most of the overseas visitors come for treatments or to escape from the busy, hectic life of the West and to overcome stresses’ explained Dissanayake.

The resort has a special garden area with a courtyard pool with flowers. Various endemic flora in the original style, and an open area of a herbal garden with treatments outdoors. This is unique in Sri Lanka.

‘Ayurveda is a gentle method of healing. The applications are natural, delicate, not offensive, non-invasive. This kind of medicine requires an understanding between healer and patient. The methods include plant medicine, natural food, massages’ explained Dr Chandrika.

Ayurveda, the knowledge of life, is a natural medical system from India and Sri Lanka, more than 5000 years old. It arose from the observation of human and plant. A harmonious balance of body, mind and spirit built, stand in the centre.

‘The ayurvedic treatment is over the centuries, its practical application to a complex system matured, which in many ways modern medicine can enrich landscape.

Sharp observations and selfless research led the Ayurveda measures to optimize all areas of life discover a deep insight into the nature of being reflect.

Three compliance leads to a balanced life on physical, mental and spiritual level.

Thus binds the Ayurveda in the maintenance of the laws of nature, of which the modern man’ she said.

The treatment includes ‘Varmana’ in the first week, ‘Virechan’ on second week, ‘Basti Nasayam’ and ‘Raktha Mokasana’ on third week and ‘Head Pack’ on fourth.

By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix Neil Siriweera

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Sri Lanka

Pol Oya, SriLanka – its lure and charm

The morning was bright and pleasant in Koggala and a two-hour boat ride along Pol Oya was ideal to start off the day. Pol Oya is considered as Sri Lanka’s largest natural lake consisting of eight islands including the famous island named Madolduwa.

Madolduwa, is a popular island because of the novel “Madolduwa” by Martin Wickramasinghe. I remembered the heroes of that interesting novel Jinna, Upali, Siripala, Dangadasa and Ranadewa and could remember how they became the heroes of my childhood.

View of the Pol Oya ( Koggala Lake)

There are so many places from where people can start their boat ride on Pol Oya.

When you reach Koggala sign boards indicating “Madol Duwa” are in more than a few places. Sadly, most people visit Madol Duwa only, because of its distinctive popularity but they lack the knowledge about the other seven islands.

But on your boat ride to Madol Duwa, you can see the other islands as well.

Kathduwa was the first island that comes into view. “This became a famous island in the Second World War because the Japanese used this island to land sea planes. It is still used today by Air Taxis as one of the places which they land their sea plane at. Other places include Marawila and Nuwara Eliya,” the animator accompanying me P.G. Sarath was somewhat against this practice due to ecological issues.

Madin Duwa (Kurulu Duwa) was next. This was an island where you can see hundreds of birds on. If you want to watch the birds there the best time is the evening, because the birds come to roost at that time, I was told.

We went along the Pol Oya. In just a few minutes I could see the biggest island on the lake Thala Thuduwa Duwa. According to Sarath, it has a Sylvan (wilderness).

Madin Duwa (Kurulu Duwa)

Then there is another island named Koth Duwa which has four water bungalows owned by private owners. People can’t enter this island because it is private property. But we could see it while moving.

The first island that we could set foot on was Ganduwa which was a cinnamon island. There were many cinnamon trees on this island with a small house and a family living there.

This family shows how the cinnamon product comes out for our meal and the process of clearing the cinnamon sticks, rolled and dried it on the roof. A woman put the dry cinnamon into the grinding stone and ground it. Their final process is to packet the cinnamon. Visitors can buy fresh cinnamon from them. And also they can enjoy the cinnamon tea (like I did!).

We returned to the boat again. I saw the next island Diyamera Dupatha which has many towering trees. We did not enter this island but passed it and reached Madolduwa where we got off. I went around Madol Duwa and saw the well, Sekku gala still there. I could imagine how Upali and Jinna lived in this island. But now it is an ugly state of affairs that are taking place here such as people throwing their litter about and empty bottles being thrown after consumption of liquor, I was told.

We already saw the seven islands. The last on my journey was Weduwa. It was a temple where nearly 25 monks resided. I entered this island which had a dagoba and some dwellings. “There are many people who come to this place to observe sil on poya days,” said D.H.Somasiri a tour guide. It was a serene location. This island was ideal for meditation, as was now being used as.

We returned to terra firma again with pleasant memories…and with new experiences for me also. Like many others, when I came on the journey to Pol Oya I had in mind only Madol Duwa. But apart from Madol Duwa there are seven other islands too providing us equal fascination…

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Sri Lanka

Whirl with the wind – Kitesurfing in SriLanka

Natasha Fernandopulle explores the sport of the fearless on Lankan shores – Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara

The feeling of flying over water where the only form of propulsion you have is the wind and where the only person in control is you is a sensation that most adventure lovers would love to feel.

I bet you may wonder what this is all about. In fact, when I first went across to Buba in Mount Lavinia, I really didn’t know what to expect. Kitesurfing; as in surfing with the help of a kite? This is what I thought and this is exactly what it was all about.

Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is an extreme sport which uses the power of the wind to pull a rider through the water and this is done on a small surfboard or kiteboard. The sport is still in its infancy, but is rapidly growing in popularity. And when it comes to Sri Lanka, our country being an island, kitesurfing can be done all throughout the year, depending on which part of the coast you are in.

According to Mischi Walter – a professional kitesurfing instructor based in Sri Lanka, “as much as this sport can be fun, it can be very dangerous if you don’t know how to handle your equipment properly. You also need to be aware of your surroundings – the wind, water and ground situation,” he says, adding that in spite of all the precautions, “you will have an accident at some point!” says Mischi, so remember to concentrate on what you are doing.

“You need to get over a certain fear point – doing so gives you an adrenaline rush,” Mischi says smiling. “Even children can learn the sport, overseas there are people who are over 70 who are kitesurfing!” added Mischi.

“It’s the best sport in town, and never feel discouraged if you are taking a long time to get up on the board, because it happened to me, but it’s worth the effort and the wait,” said Julian Bolling, adding that the sport brings together some, “cool people to hang out with” and “it’s pollution free!”

“Rugby? Hikkaduwa Beach Fest? Nah, I’d rather be kitesurfing!” says Dilsiri Welikala. “It’s extremely addictive and loads of fun. You’re completely free, and the only noise you hear is of the wake coming off the back of your board,” he says, adding, “When you launch, you hear a sound that’s amazing. It’s just you, the wind and the board.”

“It was in Feb 2007 at the Kiteboarding Camp organised by some friends when I was first introduced to kiteboarding. I was blown away by the dynamics of the sport and what attracted me the most is that when you’re kitesurfing, it’s just you and the elements, the wind blowing hard and the sea all around you; pure peace infused with adrenalin!” was Previne Wicks’ opinion on the sport.

And as the only local female to have tried out kitesurfing in Sri Lanka, Mihiri Salpitikorale had this to say. “As much as the adrenaline rush beckons, out of respect for natural elements, I’m taking kite surfing really slow so I can enjoy it with minimal damage.”

Mads Jansen Raunsbaek, has an interesting account about the development of the sport, “The first person to kite surf in Sri Lanka was a German guy called Ben.”He went on to explain that this was in December 1999 when he noticed some colour on the water, “when I looked out the window I saw a guy with a kite starting from Mambos and straight out through the main point.” He had already had an idea about the sport from an article which he had ripped out of a magazine and recalls, “when I saw it, I knew it was my call.”

This all happened while he was tattooing a client he said, “I was stoked; I jumped up and told my customer we had a 20 minute break and ran to the beach and waited for him to return.” The kitesurfer, Ben, he recalls, had a Naish Ar 3.5 and the first big Naishkiteboards. He gave him a magazine and later had a chat with Mads about the sport.

He goes on to state, “I’m pretty sure that that is the start of Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka. The third person to kite in Sri Lanka was Holger Brummer from Negombo. We met in Hikkaduwa in 2001. Then Dirk Hanel came, followed by all the others.”

“Kitesurfing has now started to grow in Sri Lanka, and that’s what we want,” says Mads, adding, “We want more information about kitesurfing, safety and so on. And just to make it bigger and bigger and bigger in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Source: sundaytimes.lk

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Sri Lanka

New Ramada Hotel opened at Katunayake

Hotel Ramada Katunayake a 4 star Hotel comprising 68 rooms opened yesterday (11, Sep08) at Negombo Road Seeduwa, a 10 minutes drive from the airport on the Negombo – Colombo highway.

Being in the vicinity of the airport, it is ideally suited for airline crews and transit passengers for restful stay before they embark on their next journey. Being in close proximity to the free trade zone and the investment promotion zones of Ekala and Biyagama, factories can utilise this hotel for their expatriates accommodation and get-togethers.

Rooms are equipped with high speed internet, flat screen T.V, mini bar, as standard features. They also have a pool, gym, business centre, banquet halls, travel desk, a bar and a 24 hour coffee shop.

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Sri Lanka

METRO AND LIPTON TEA OFFER TRIP TO SRI LANKA…

By Walter Jayawardhana

In a major boost up for Sri Lanka tourism the United Kingdom’s free sheet leader, The Metro morning daily with 1.1 million circulation announced a trip to Sri Lanka’s tea country in collaboration with Lipton Tea for a summer contest winners.

Calling Sri Lanka “the spiritual home” of Lipton Tea the newspaper which distributes more than one million of its copies beating all other newspapers by giving away on all five working days mainly at Metropolitan London’s underground railway stations where Londoners in their millions converge to commute to work said, “Win tea in Sri Lanka,” in a front page announcement.

In a promotion for Lipton ice tea for the sweltering London summer contest the newspaper offered a week’s paid up vacation at “the spiritual home of Lipton Ice tea, the luxury tea factory hotel, built in the 1930s by British planters.”

“Pick and process of your own tea at the hotel’s miniature tea factory and indulge in five course fine dining in the hotel’s restored railway carriage restaurant,” the announcement accompanied by a scenic image of a Sri Lankan tea garden said.

Unilever, the current owners of Lipton Tea said the tea promotion is carried with the collaboration of Associated Newspapers Ltd. – a division of Daily Mail and General Trust that publishes the Metro.

The Scottish-born entrepreneur, Thomas Lipton acquired tea estates in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), organized packaging and transportation at low cost and made tea, a beverage then enjoyed only by the rich into the beverage of the common people all over the world. As he said, he wanted to sell tea “direct from the tea garden to the tea pot.” For his services he was knighted by Queen Victoria as Sir Thomas Lipton in 1898 at the relatively younger age of 48. Places attached with his life in the high grown tea area in Sri Lanka have become tourist attractions.

This prize includes: Return economy flights from London Heathrow to Colombo, Return airport to hotel transfers, 7 nights in a standard room at the Tea Factory or a escorted tour which incorporates the Tea Factory, Daily breakfast, Comprehensive travel insurance

Open for travel from the 1st April until the 31st October 2009, excluding all Bank Holiday periods and subject to availability.

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