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Tranquillity
spiced with adventure Any number
of entries could be sent but remember they should be on the original
coupon published in The Sunday Times. The closing date for entries
is Wednesday, December 18. The winners' names will appear in the
Plus section on Sunday, December 22. Employees of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd and Keells Hotels are not eligible to take part in this competition. Ever experienced
the bliss of being alone on an unending road? As we sped along,
all we could see was the long Dambulla road unfolding before us.
Lined by magnificent trees, with pastoral scenes alongside, it was
a relaxing, enjoyable drive. Our destination
was The Lodge, Habarana. Known for being an excellent spot for relaxation
and rejuvenation, this resort, along with The Village, Habarana
has now adopted a more adventurous outlook. "We felt
that it was a waste that visitors only spent their vacation in the
hotel itself, and did not venture out. There are so many adventurous
things to do and get involved with, in the area around the hotels,
which visitors really should try out. Our surroundings are our main
asset," said Kenneth Jayasinghe, Resident Manager of The Village,
Habarana, explaining the launch of the management's newest theme.
"Beyond Beaches: Nature, Culture, Adventure" claims their
brochure, reflecting the Sri Lankan tourism industry's new impetus
for visitors, which is to engage in a greater range of outdoor activities.
Under the management
of John Keells Hotels, The Lodge and The Village are scenic resorts
next door to each other. Situated 170 kms from Colombo, the hotels
are set in 30 hectares of lush woodlands that end on the banks of
a tranquil lake. The air is pure and filled with birdsong. This
is the only resort which cannot be photographed by air, as it is
surrounded by a canopy of trees and thick vegetation. While The
Lodge has 150 rooms, The Village has 106 rooms and two suites named
The King Fisher Lodge and The Silver Lodge. "There
are over 2200 trees and 135 different species of birds within the
premises," says Mr. Jayasinghe. "No landscaping was done
when these hotels were built. That is why you have to go through
a maze of trees and little cliffs." The Habarana
Lodge had recently been bestowed with the IS0 14001 certification
referred to as the "Green Dove Award" for good environment
management systems. Having a look at the water treatment and recycling
plant situated behind the hotels and the in-house farm, would be
more than enough to convince any visitor of these standards. Everything
on your plate is organically grown at the farm. There are many
activities for the nature-lover with those keen on birdwatching
being categorised as serious, amateur and beginners, and taken in
groups of 12, accompanied by an experienced guide. Among the varieties
of birds that can be spotted on the premises are some migrants and
two globally threatened species as well. "The most
frequently seen bird is the Fly Catcher. You can also see the Sun
Bird, which is the smallest bird in Sri Lanka," says Rathnasiri,
our guide who has been at The Lodge for the past nine years. Biking is another
activity guests can enjoy. Trails range from 4 km to 40 km. Since
the trail goes through villages and open savannahs and past about
20 lakes found in the area, this is one of the best ways for visitors
to get a glimpse of rural Sri Lanka and its people. While on the
trail, a refreshing rest can be enjoyed in the form of a picnic
at chenas, kamathas or on lake bunds. Jeep safaris
to places such as Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Wasgamuwa are arranged
by the resorts. Large herds of about 200 elephants, birds of prey
and deer can often be seen. Since the drivers are from the area
and are expert trackers, the safety factor is taken care of. The Jungle
Gym is a novel concept that the management has come up with. A commando-style
obstacle course, in a woodland setting, is sure to test the endurance
of the toughest, but can easily be adapted for kids. Elephant safaris
too are arranged and once on these majestic animals, you can relax
and enjoy the view. For those who enjoy trekking through the woodlands,
there are a variety of treks to choose from. The magnificent "six
lakes" trail is highly recommended, and will give you a chance
to walk through stunning landscapes, pristine forest areas, villages
and caves. You could set your own pace, fast or slow. For those looking
for stress relief and mental and physical relaxation, the hotel's
ayurvedic packages are recommended. Massages, warm oil treatment,
aromatherapy and herbal steam baths are available. An in-house ayurvedic
physician advises you on diet and other individual needs. A perfect way
to end a fun-filled and adventurous day at the resorts would be
to enjoy a delicious dinner by the lake under starry skies, with
cool breezes blowing across the waters. "If there is such a
requirement by the guests, depending on the numbers, we would be
more than glad to arrange a lake-side dinner for them," said
a smiling Mr. Jayasinghe. "We could even arrange barbecues
or any other type of dinner that the guests would like." |
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