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Rustic tranquillity in lap of luxury
Dying to escape the routine and have a dream holiday? Well, we've got lots of great surprises in our all-new travel competition where you can win exciting weekends at some of the country's best hotels and who knows even a trip abroad.

Just read the article here and answer the questions given on the coupon before posting it to:
Times Travel Quiz 3
C/o The Sunday Times,
P.O. Box 1136
Colombo.

The first three correct entries drawn win three free weekends (one night's stay) for three lucky couples at Sigiriya Village. Entries close on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 and the winners' names will be published in The Sunday Times Travel page of June 16.

Employees of Wijeya Newspapers and Sigiriya Village and their families are not eligible to take part in this quiz.

"Green Globe is the global performance brand for sustainable Travel and Tourism, demonstrating environmental, social and economic responsibility." It has set standards based on Agenda 21 of the 1992 World Environmental Summit at Rio and incorporated principles from the Montreal and Kyoto Protocol.

1) A.P Ratnayake
91, Kandawatte Rd,
Nugegoda.

2) Mrs. Lester Perera
58/2 Medawelikade Rd
Rajagiriya.

3) Ms. A. Dharmaraj
164/150, Galle Rd,
Soysapura
Moratuwa.

By Esther Williams
The land belongs not only to us but also to every living creature that first inhabited this area. We are only enjoying the hospitality of their habitat. This explains the philosophy adopted by Sigiriya Village Hotel, an exclusive jungle retreat and also the fourth in Asia to win the prestigious Green Globe Award.

Proximity to the Sigiriya Rock, one of Sri Lanka's seven cultural heritage sites and the Cultural Triangle, makes the hotel a wonderful getaway to enjoy the glory of an ancient culture as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Having won the Green Globe, Sigiriya Village is committed to the protection and conservation of the environment as they meet certain prescribed standards as a provider of sustainable tourism with care for nature, culture and society.

According to the Hotel's General Manager, Nimal Sangakkara, they have been practising eco-friendly tourism since their inception in 1980 and, therefore, did not have to do much to obtain the award. "There are trees on this premises that are older than the hotel itself, that can be dated back to King Kasyappa's period. We have preserved them along with the flora and fauna of the region." Therefore, in planning and managing their hotel, they have taken active measures to protect the land, forest, wildlife, culture and water resources.

The retreat ideal for nature lovers, is spread over 32 acres of forest area with the fascinating Lion Rock looming ahead. To complement the rural setting, 126 elegantly designed earth-toned cottages are decorated with themes that are symbolic of rustic village life and are grouped into clusters, each with a different theme and colour scheme.

The Paddy Field Cluster has cottages set around a mini rice field complete with a barn, pond, rice storage bins, a tree hut where farmers look out for elephants and a grinning scarecrow right in the centre. Guests are occasionally treated to dishes made of tank fish and locally grown vegetables that are served on lotus leaves by traditionally clad women. To suit this theme, colours of the field are used in the rooms with the lampshades looking like winnows.

In the Temple Cluster, rooms are done in the warm colours of the Buddhist robes and appliqué flowers that are used in worship, all of which have been created by local craftsmen. In the quadrangle is a meditation path lined with lotus plants leading up to a platform that is lit at night with lamps.

The New Year Cluster (Avurudu) features a Sri Lankan village recreated with family rooms decorated in betel leaf design, drum-shaped tables, terracotta pots as lamp shades and a kiribath design on the walls.

The River Side Cluster (Ganga Addara) boasts a tranquil setting with the sound of trickling water, crickets, bees and birds amidst the lotus ponds pervading the air. The little sit-outs allow guests to have their morning cuppa enjoying the unspoilt beauty of nature. It is not uncommon to see water monitors creeping along the paths.

In the King's Arbour, lush foliage has grown over the walls made of bricks and clay, making it look like the remains of the 5th Century.

Creepers, flowers and fruit done in appliqué and Sigiriya paintings done on glass panels complement the decor of the room.

The Kingfisher Cluster, named after the beautiful Sri Lankan bird, creates a scene of the lake and the birds hovering above it, done in appliqué. The area around this cluster has little ponds and streams that contain brightly-coloured fish.

The hotel also has an Ayurvedic centre with facilities for head and body massage and herbal steam bath, and also the "Pancha Karma" (five treatments) that promises to cleanse the body of all toxic elements. Through this, the hotel intends to preserve traditional wisdom and practices.

In addition, vegetables, fruit and mushroom are grown organically in their farm, says environmentalist Nilantha Herath. "Through this we ensure healthy food and protection of eco-systems," he explains. Dried leaves are collected and put into a compost pit to be later used as manure. The farm also has cows, pigs, goats and poultry for the hotel's requirements. They even breed their own tank fish. The surplus is sold to the villagers during the weekends.

When you are feeling energetic you can head into the jungle to look at the elephants or follow the bird trails; to unwind you sit in the garden and listen to the rich sounds of nature. You can actually see monkeys from the dining area and exotic birds and geese. When you have nothing better to do, you have the dramatic view of the Rock, a fortress in the sky - all the better to contemplate life, the universe and everything in it.

For children it would be a 'back to nature trip' to draw their attention to the fascinating interdependence of man, animals and nature.


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