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| Sunday, 22 June 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Kosgoda Beach Resort : exotic haven for holiday makers by BEVERLEY JANSZ Kosgoda Beach Resort is located in a picturesque garden between the sea and a lagoon, thereby creating an aqua paradise village on the south western coast of Sri Lanka. The hotel is 21 years in existence and stands on seven acres of land. It has an old world charm reminiscent of the creature comforts of the British colonial era.
Kosgoda Beach Resort which is only 72 km from Colombo in close proximity to the historic city of Galle, offers 50 air-conditioned chalets, including a house nearly 150 years old, and coconut trees aged more than 115 years. All chalets are equipped with modern facilities, including air-conditioning, hot/cold water, telephone, piped music, terrace or balcony vistas and a unique bathroom system. The newly appointed General Manager, Ian Sylva who climbed the ladder of success in the hotel industry, with a humble beginning as a waiter at the Inter-Continental Hotel, said that there are a host of places of tourist interest one could visit within short time, like the 'Madu River Safari, Ahungalla, Birds zoo, Hikkaduwa Coral Reef, Turtle hatcheries, 'Kuthuduwa' island, the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, Rumassala Temple, 'Brief', the innovative architectural home garden of the late architect/journalist, Bevis Bawa, with its sensual statuettes sensitively arranged, mask and batik producing centres and scenic fishing villages. There are more to come, Sri Lanka's only rain forest, 'Sinharaja', the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and famous bird watching locations could easily be visited within a few hours because of the good network of roads and they lie in close proximity within one another. The Ayurvedic Centre at Kosgoda Beach Resort, is extremely popular among the health conscious foreigners. The concept of the 'Veda Gedera' has been highlighted by this centre, with its herbal oil massages and its consequent tension-free state of mind, spirit and body, Ian said. The hotel's large and beautiful swimming pool is built aesthetically as well as on the concept of safety where even an eight year old or an 80-year old can swim in it free from all anxiety. Speaking on food and beverages, offered by Executive Chef, Anura de Silva, a maestro in F&B who has over 20 years experience in F&B, with almost 17 years overseas experience, the GM waxed eloquent on the 'Game Kema' (village food) put into operation at the hotel. Ancient recipes are obtained from the village 'Ammes' and introduced to the spicy food offered to foreign visitors who relish the food fare of our ancestors' Ian said. Guests also savour the hot and aromatic spicy food offered by the resort. The well maintained garden, large pool and courteous service are plus points for Kosgoda Beach resort. The Sunday Buffet with authentic Sri Lankan food, is an event to remember. Guests get involved in a number of sport activities as the hotel has a large swimming pool, tennis courts, table tennis, valley ball, beach volleyball, etc. One of the main attractions offered by Kosgoda Beach Resort is a visit to 'Victor Hasselblad Turtle Hatchery, which is in close proximity to the resort. Began in 1970 by the Swedish company, Victor Hasselblad, it is now owned and managed by a Sri Lankan, Chandrasiri Arbrew. Kosgoda Beach Resort is owned and managed by Somerville and Co. Ltd., the pioneer Tea Brokers in Sri Lanka. ########### Great things at Great Wall Restaurant The Great Wall Restaurant Colombo-3 steamed into its first night of the Great Steam Boat Festival on Sunday June 15 which will be held every Sunday night, Restaurant Manager, Adrian Gomez said. It was a carnival atmosphere with live music and everyone joining in the fund, for some it was actually a first time experience to rock the boat. Thrill and spills from the boat when you do cook it yourself at the table, Gomez said.About the 'Steam Boat' - The Chinese steamboat owes its beginning to the Mongols of Northern China, more than 400 years ago. These nomadic people did not bequeath a great culinary heritage to Chinese cuisine, but the Mongolian hot pot is most an important legacy, by the 18th century it had become a winter favourite in the Qing Dynasty Court and still remains and flourishes in all China's regions today.It began as a simple way of cooking meat and vegetable, the thinly sliced meat is dropped with some leafy vegetables into bubbling Chicken soup contained in a specially designed pot (called a 'Steam Boat' by Contonese and hot pot on a fire kettle in other regions of China). It is placed in the middle of the table for finishing and serving. After a minute or two, the food is cooked and is lifted out and enjoyed with a variety of dipping sauces. When all the meat and vegetables are finished, Cellophane noodles are added to the broth resulting in a wonderful fragrant and flavoursome soup. Come along, make yourself at home and join in the fun, do not miss the 'Steam Boat' with live music every Sunday night at the Great Wall Restaurant, Colombo-3 says its Restaurant Manager, Adrian Gomez. BEVERLEY JANSZ ########### Jetwing to explore demand for game safaris Two eleven month old leopard cubs in Yala National Park gave a group of hoteliers a first hand demonstration of Sri Lanka's potential to develop as a high end big game safari destination in Asia. The General Managers of Jetwing Hotels met at the Yala Safari Game Lodge, recently. A key item on the agenda was the development of properties such as the Yala Safari Game Lodge to address the international demand for big game safaris. Jetwing Eco Holidays, the special interest subsidiary of Jetwing, is working in collaboration with other Sri Lankan tour operators to offer specialised Leopard Safaris. Coming under a range of selective prices, enables Jetwing Eco Holidays to be sufficiently profitable to allocate time and resources to support research and conservation in partnership with Jetwing Hotels. According to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, the CEO of Jetwing Eco Holidays, there is a lot more scope to improve the service and to go for even higher prices commensurate with the service offered. He noted that the tourism industry would have fallen short of the potential in the country if within five years the facilities have not been upgraded to offer a viable price per day package. He believes there are plenty of examples overseas from which Sri Lanka can model its own safari product development. The two cubs have been named 'Kota Bendi Wewa Male Cub No. 1 (KBMC 1)' and 'Kota Bendi Wewa Female Cub No. 1 (KBFC1)' by Leopard Researcher, Ravi Samarasinha whose work is supported by the Jetwing Research Initiative. He has identified each leopard individually using their unique facial markings. Film Crew specialist, Chandrika Maelge and other leopard enthusiasts are hopeful that the two cubs will emerge as the star performers in 2003, to take over from where GMC5 left off last year. ########### Mahaweli Reach - Kandy's first five star byArundathie Abeysinghe Impeccably owner-managed in the traditions of Kandyan hospitality, the Mahaweli Reach is Kandy's first five star hotel. Managing Director Mahaweli Reach, Jayantha Panabokke, a humble person by nature is popular among the staff and the guests. According to Jayantha it all started in 1972 when his father, John Atul Panabokke decided to leave behind his 20 years of steady service in the tea industry as a planter and fulfil his long cherished dream of turning his home into an exclusive tourist resort."In mid 1972, the home had already become a four bed roomed tourist guest house, thus naming it "Mahaweli Reach", owing to its fine lay out on the ebb of the river Mahaweli." "My father's dream became easier to accomplish because of my mother's consistent encouragement towards making his dream come true." "Meanwhile, he wanted me to take to hoteliering after leaving school.Therefore, when I left school (Trinity College, Kandy) in 1975 I joined the Queen's Hotel for a short break. My uncle T.B.Panabokke was a director in that hotel and I got myself familiarised with the work there." In 1973, we had the approval from the Ceylon Tourist Board for 50 rooms, but we were able to complete only 23 rooms. It was my father's dream to see that an up market hotel would be in Kandy. When he passed away we had only 50 rooms." According to Mohan Panabokke, Director General Manager of Mahaweli Reach, the hotel has 115 rooms,is the only five star hotel in Kandy and also the most popular hotel in the historic city of Kandy.The hotel stands on four acres of coconut land; its architecture is semi colonial and it boasts of a display of 12 classic cars, mostly English." "We give our guests a personalised service to make them feel at home by inviting them to participate in our festive activities, especially during Sinhala and Tamil New Year." "The hotel's speciality services include a babysitter, doctor on call, vehicles for hire, secretarial services. It also caters to special interest groups and is a popular venue for honeymoon couples and foreigners desiring to have their weddings there." "Our clientele is more UK based because they like the colonial type of atmosphere in our hotel and the Kandyan hospitality we have." "An added attraction of the hotel is its free forming swimming pool." "Mahaweli Reach's in-house entertainment features traditional dance troupes, live music, barbecues, romantic cruises, exciting boat picnics and fishing trips to name a few," said Mohan. |
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