Thursday, 26 June 2008

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka


SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka

Eurasian Dancer Lovina at the Mount by the Bay Beach, Colombo, Ceylon
Sri Lanka Holidays takes you back to year 1806.

Old All Ceylon was suffering under the merciless Jack boots of Colonial British. Sir Thomas Maitland was leaving the shores of a country he had called home for over six years. He was also leaving behind the woman he loved. Social convention and duty to his King was taking him away from her.

Blood or thunder, you never leave the women you love: light of your life, fire of your loins.

Little had Maitland heard of Prince Saliya who forfeited the right to crown so that he could marry his low cast lover, Asokamala of Lanka. Prince Saliya was the one & only son of no other than the hero of the nation King Duttha Gamini who rescued the Island, Nation & Faith from the marauding Dravidian invaders following the Epic Battle of Sri Lanka.

Ruwanweli Dagaba at Anuradhapura is one of the numerous monuments build byKing Duttha Gamini of Sri Lanka.

Neither had Maitland known that his deserted lover Lovina would be immortalized at the rock by the sea: Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel is built up around the original residence of Sir Thomas Maitland who was the Governor General of Ceylon from 1805-1811. It was at a welcoming party held in his honour on his arrival in the island that he set his eyes upon Lovina whose father was the Headman of the troupe.

Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
Ill be watching you

Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
Ill be watching you

Oh, cant you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake

As it was highly unconventional for an unmarried British Officer to be seen associating with a local dancing girl Sir Thomas and his lover met in secret. She was smuggled into his mansion through a secret tunnel that led into a wine cellar in the house.

"Every Breath You Take" is a song written by Sting and originally performed by The Police. It was released on their 1983 album "Synchronicity". The single was one of the biggest of 1983, topping the UK charts for four weeks and the Billboard Music Charts (North America) for eight weeks. Sting won Song of the year and The Police won Best Performance by a Duo or a Group with Vocal at the Grammy Awards of 1984 for "Every Breath You Take". The song ranks No. 84 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Ill be watching you Since you've gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face I look around but its you I cant replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace I keep crying baby, baby, please...
Oh, cant you see You belong to me How my poor heart aches With every breath you take Every move you make Every vow you break Every smile you fake Every claim you stake Ill be watching you Every move you make Every step you take Ill be watching you

Originally thought to be about either angels, the government, parents or kind people who are looking out for your best interests, the track was in fact written during the collapse of Sting's marriage to Frances Tomelty; the lyrics are the words of a sinister, controlling character, who is watching "every breath you take / every move you make".

“ I woke up in the middle of the night with that line in my head, sat down at the piano and had written it in half an hour. The tune itself is generic, an aggregate of hundreds of others, but the words are interesting. It sounds like a comforting love song. I didn't realise at the time how sinister it is. I think I was thinking of Big Brother , surveillance and control. ”

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Jetwing Hunas Falls, Sri Lanka














































SRI LANKA HOTELS: Jetwing Hunas Falls

A score of spectacular waterfalls tumble down over rocks and precipices throughout the Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands of the island. Set amidst them is Hunas Falls Hotel, which derives its name from Hunasgiriya peak, the forest covered mountain overlooking the tranquil landscape. It is one of the numerous eco-oriented resorts in Kandy geared towards your Sri Lanka Holidays.
Sprawling gardens of flowers plants with walkways and the lake with a bridge to cross it, a waterfall and a mini golf course all constitute a most beautiful background to the calm serenity of your room.


SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Jetwing Light House, Sri Lanka























SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Jetwing Light House, Sri Lanka
Jetwing Lighthouse, a chic modern hotel is an architectural masterpiece that looks out across the Indian Ocean. Its architecture and interior decor boast of the recent history of Galle, the city of the VOC Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hotel’s stairway is an artistic masterpiece depicting the Portuguese landing at Galle, while The Coats of Arms bar boasts 18th Century batiks, a reminder of the region’s rich heritage.

Luxurious accommodation by the long stretch of pristine beach provides an idyllic retreat for all, as well as a romantic haven for honeymoon couples. Viewed from the lawns, the main pool merges indefinably with the vastness of the ocean.

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Task Safari Camp, Sri Lanka
















SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: TASKS Safari Camp, Sri Lanka

Seemingly away from civilization yet close to heart, the TASKS camping style leisure Hotel is one of the few well kept secrets of your Sri Lanka Holidays. Bordered by the winding Kirindi Oya river which demarcates the TASKS on the South, the property is set in wilderness of Lunugamvehera National Park and Uda Walawe National Park. The renowned wildlife sanctuaries are home to mammals such as wild elephants, deer, wild buffalo, bear and birds endemic to Sri Lanka.


SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Elephant Reach, Sri Lanka
















SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Elephant Reach, Sri Lanka

The newest luxury hotel of Sri Lanka, Elephant Reach located in Southernmost point of the island provides a ideal nature resort during your Sri Lanka Holidays.
Spreading over 4 acres of land, this unique nature resort consists of 21 chalets which are built under the shades of tropical trees of multitude of tones. It is in close proximity to Ruhuna Yala National Park , Bundala National Park, historic town of Kataragama & Kirinda at Tissamaharama. Tour the beautiful island of Sri Lanka with My Sri Lanka Holidays. Contact Riolta Lanka Holidays today.

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Closenberg Hotel, Sri Lanka


















SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Closenberg Hotel, Sri Lanka

Closenberg is one of the finest Colonial Hotels in the western & southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Located close to VOC Gale Dutch Fort, its large spacious halls and long Verandahs are tastefully adorned with antique furniture with a view of your Sri Lanka Holidays.

High ceilings resting on tall round columns and large louvered Teak doors set in arched doorways permits breeze from the beach & the terraced gardens of varying levels surrounding the hotel

One of the select few hotels to successfully preserve the rich colonial past of Galle, its Dutch heritage is manifested in the architecture.

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: The Tea Factory Hotel, Sri Lanka















SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: The Tea Factory Hotel, Sri Lanka
Journey to the top of the world across a limitless mountain vista is adorned by a green carpet of tea plants. Enter a long lost era through a portal of clouds and feel the kiss of mountain mist on your skin. Breathe the pristine mountain air and let your soul be rejuvenated. During your Sri Lanka Holidays, it is an ideal location to gaze upon the dreamscape of Little England Nuwara Eliya. Reside at inimitable four star theme hotel, The Tea Factory, and live inside a dream from a forgotten age.


SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Angsana Deer Park, Sri Lanka












SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Angsana Deer Park, Sri Lanka

Well set within peaceful jungle scenery and next door to the calm beauty of the Giritale reservoir, 40 cottages of Angsana Deer Park provides your Sri Lanka Holidays the ideal eco lodge to rest after an eventful day of cultural adventure at Polonnaruwa or ecological trekking at Wasgomuwa National Park.

Relax within a stylish blend of vibrant colors and earthly hues while a row of traditional elephant motifs watches over your dreams each night. Most cottages come with unique open-air garden bathrooms with outdoor showers so you can enjoy the sensational experience of a shower under the stars!


SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Amangalla, Sri Lanka























SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Amangalla,
Sri Lanka
Amidst numerous colonial landmarks, in the heart of a 17th century VOC Galle Dutch Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site) of Sri Lanka Holidays nestles the serene and immaculately restored Amangalla Hotel. Tour the beautiful island of Sri Lanka with My Sri Lanka Holidays. Contact Riolta Holidays today.
It is one of the most luxurious & most expensive hotels in the island during your Sri Lanka Holidays. Built in 1684 as the official headquarters of the Dutch Governor, this elegant building became an inn for Dutch merchants & officers in the early 18th century, making it Sri Lanka's oldest hotel, New Oriental Hotel. Today, the hotel portrays the complex patina of its past in an exemplary setting, surrounded by the rich colonial tapestry of Sri Lanka’s exceptional Dutch fortress.

Amangalla voted No. 1
Best Hotel in Sri Lanka

Diavaram
Spain 2006

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Amanwella, Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA HOLIDAYS: Amanwella, Sri Lanka

Sunsets streak the evening sky with an orchestra of fuchsias and gold, a spectacular performance witnessed through a display of gently fluttering palms on a long beach of silver sands. Amanwella at Tangalle has an extremely privileged topography; raised above the beach between two rocky headlands it hugs the beguiling Indian Ocean in resplendent seclusion and beachside tranquility.

Amanwella voted
Best New Beach Resort
TTG Asia Annual Travel Awards
Singapore 2006

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