Pearl Drop Island

I have been meaning to write about this long done trip but plain laziness has kept me away from it.

Sri Lanka is a great place to visit when a quick fire holiday planning needs to be done without the rigmarole of visa applications and long haul flights. And in the bargain you also get to see what the neighbouring country has been upto now that the LTTE is out of action.

This time round we wanted a luxurious vacation and not do the usual Kandy and Bentota or Nuwara Eliya.

We chose Hatton and Galle and Colombo of course for deplaning.

After a good nights rest at the Galle Face Hotel at Colombo, a road trip to the central hilly parts of Sri Lanka. Connections with hoteliers made it easy to get a reservation at the Tea Trails, Castlereagh Bungalow. Life out here gives you a first hand experience of the English life on the tea estates. Invisible but immaculate service, 5 course meals, walk through the tea estates, tea tasting at the factory, reading by the poolside, walking the trails, dressing for dinner and meeting other guests from all over the world over aperitifs and exchanging travel notes. Each bungalow has only 5-6 rooms, each bigger than average Mumbai homes, with the most luxurious bed and bath furniture and outfit which remind you of the colonial era.

A must visit if you are comfortable in your own skin, love the silence of the hills and don’t miss meeting homo sapiens at every turn.

The drive from Hatton Region to the coastal Galle downhill literally, made heady by stretches of aromatic Eucalyptus forest was longer than expected as we made pitstops every 15 minutes to take in the view and breathe in the fresh air. Stops were made to check the local markets and eat the local fare at non descript eating places. If you have children with you, be careful with the curries and sambals. Spices and peppers are the essence of life here!

Galle is a sleepy little town and the capital of the Southern province. With its natural harbor and scenic beauty, it is easily understandable why the Portuguese and Dutch fortified it.  The Galle Fort is one of the biggest forts till date built by Europeans in Asia. The Fort town boasts of a lighthouse, churches, Amangella Hotel and quaint houses with European windows and gables. When walking the bylanes, you would not have an inkling of the fact that you are Sri Lanka.

Our stay was outside the Fort , at The Fortress, a resort by the Koggala Beach. The impressive façade makes you impatient to take a look inside. This luxury hotel marries the indoors and outdoors with great designing and gives you immense sense of space even when the hotel is full. With state of the art rooms, a beautiful swimming pool, trees inhabited by naughty but friendly squirrels, a gorgeous ayurvedic Spa, well stocked bar and overflowing buffets, The Fortress is an ideal place whether holidaying alone, with someone special or with your family. The service though good is very in your face. You might need a break from the hotel staff checking up on you.

Ten days of luxury and far from the maddening crowd and memories of warm and simple people with a great cultural heritage and taste bud tickling spicy food. Money well spent!