Sri Lanka-Gems of Geoffrey Bawa

On arrival in Colombo, you’ll be received by a member of our local team or an appointed driver, who will take care of your transfer and check in formalities at the hotel in Dambulla.

Transfer to Dambulla / Sigiriya. En Route Visit Spice Garden in Mawanella and in the evening visit to award winning Heritance Kandalama.

Places to visit … Visit Hotel Kandalama Heritance, Mawanella Spice Garden.

Spice Garden in Mawanella, You will be shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. Where smells of Cinnamons, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg and mace overwhelm the senses and the visitors are provided an insight into an age old industry of spice production.

Heritance Kandalama – a minimalist, eco-friendly hotel situated in the Cultural Triangle in the North Central province, was designed by Bawa in 1994.  Heritance Kandalama is an architectural masterpiece. Bawa conceived this hotel `as an austere jungle palace’. The minimalist interiors and the building itself are cleverly designed to blend into the landscape without interfering with the tranquil natural evolution of its surroundings. Bawa has allowed for magnificent views of the ancient Sigiriya Rock, the surrounding mountains and the Kandalama Tank (reservoir). Hidden within the edge of the jungle – which is home to numerous species of birds, monkeys, spotted deer and wild boar, the hotel has won numerous prestigious environmental awards for its role in nurturing Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and natural beauty..

After early rise & shine we visit Sigiriya Rock, post breakfast check out, there after proceed to Colombo.

Places to visit … Sigiriya – Sigiriya Rock, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Colombo – Colombo City Orientation Tour.

Sigiriya Lion Rock, Sinhalese , pronounced see-gee-REE-yah) is located in the central Matale District of the Central Province, Sri Lanka in an area dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa the site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.
The elephant orphanage at Pinnawala, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but it soon became a conservation and educational centre. Now Pinnawala is home for more than 65 elephants including babies. Watch the elephants while they are being fed and during their working and bathing time.

After breakfast we visit places of educational interest.

Places to visit … Colombo -, Bawa’s House No. 11, Bawa’s Gallery Café and Colombo City Orientation Tour.

Colombo:  like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example. There is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar – where one can shop, Hindu and Buddhist temple, residential areas –where you find stately homes of the affluent and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) – an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People’s Republic of China.

Bawa’s Gallery Café: The historic building that houses Gallery Cafe used to be an office for Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa. The open-air cafe area looks over a pebbled courtyard, while the lounge bar is where Bawa’s old office used to be – in fact, his desk is still there. The decor is stunning and the Sri Lankan–inspired dishes focus on fresh ingredients and bold, clean flavours. As a cheaper option, come for an afternoon coffee.

Bawa’s House No. 11: The house in 33^rd Lane is an essay in architectural bricollage. In 1958 Bawa bought the third in a row of four small houses which lay along a short cul-de-sac at the end of a narrow suburban lane and converted it into a pied-à-terre with living room, bedroom, tiny kitchen and room for a servant. When the fourth bungalow became vacant this was colonised to serve as dining room and second living room. Ten years later the remaining bungalows were acquired and added into the composition and the first in the row was demolished to be replaced by a four-storey tower.

After breakfast proceed to Bentota, En Route visit to the places of educational interest. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Bentota.

Places to visit … Sri Lanka Parliament, Gangaramaya Temple, Seema Malaka, Avani Bentota and Cinnamon Bentota Beach Hotel.

Gangaramaya Temple: The temple’s architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises. Most notable for tourists is the architecture of the Simamalaka Shrine, which was built with donations from a Muslim sponsor to the design of Geoffrey Bawa.

Seema Malaka: On three island podiums on Beira Lake, Colombo easily visible from Sir James Peiris Road, is the Seema Malaka, a Buddhist temple, a beautiful & unexpected site. Amidst the hustle & bustle of the city, the tranquil temple takes us by surprise. Not to be outdone, we take to the bridge like walkway leading to the temple in the middle of the lake with the breeze cutting into us. Set on three linked platforms rising out of the lake, the temple has a small Bo tree & delicately carved kiosk on the two outer platforms standing on either side of the larger central structure. The lake is surrounded by fine old trees, provides welcoming breezes throughout the day & attracts pelicans, egrets & cormorants

Bentota: Bentota Located in the southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka Bentota is known for its stretches of indigo sea and golden sands. It is positioned 64 Kilometres away from Colombo and can be easily accessed after a two and half hour drive. Like the naming of many other villages Bentota too derives its name from a mythical story, according to legend a demon called ‘Bem’ ruled the river which was referred to as ‘tota’. The village of Bentota remains to be peaceful, making it the perfect beach sanctuary to escape into. Staying true to its location the village is renowned for water sports that exploit the lagoon, river and sea.

 Avani Bentota: Located on the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka, the 75-room AVANI Bentota was designed by world-famous local architect, Geoffrey Bawa in the style of an 18th Century Dutch Village. Commanding picturesque beachfront views, this romantic home away from home also doubles as an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area’s many unique charms.

 Cinnamon Bentota Beach Hotel: Constructed between 1967 and 1969, the Bentota Beach Hotel is one of architect Geoffrey Bawa’s most important works. It is an iconic example of Bawa’s architectural style during the 1960s, as well as the critical model for hotel design in tropical climates during the decades following its construction.

After breakfast visit to the places of educational interest. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Galle.

Places to visit …   Lunuganga – Bawa Village house, Turtle Hatchery, Maduganga River Ride, If time permits… Heritance Ahungalla, Club Villa

Lunuganga – Bawa Village house
Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Started in 1947, the garden led Bawa, a lawyer called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1940, to decide to become an architect. As he went on to become Sri Lanka’s and one of Asia’s most prolific and influential architects, the garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas. He continued to change and experiment with its spaces and structures throughout his life until his final illness in 1998. Left to the Lunuganga Trust on his demise in 2003, the gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel. 

The Turtle hatchery in Kosgoda which is being operated by the Wild life Protection Society of Sri Lanka Several species of turtles, especially the endangered hawks bill are protected here. Most valuable of all are their eggs, which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. The good will of Kosgoda area fishermen who bring these eggs gratis to the hatchery has led to the hatching and have released around 100,000 young turtles in only two years since the hatchery opened.

Maduganga River Ride … A mangrove lagoon joined to the sea by a narrow canal and containing 15 islands of varying size, some of which are inhabited. It is formed of two shallow water bodies, Maduganga and smaller Randombe Lake, connected by two narrow channels. On the islands and shores relatively undisturbed mangrove vegetation contains a rich biodiversity qualifying the wetland for 7 Criteria of International Importance.A two hours boat ride with English guide down Madu River, during this ride we see the flora and fauna of famed the Madu River wet zone, Visit three historical islands of Madu River, including the Buddhist Temple on the islet, visit to the fishing region to see the fishing methods in detail. A chance to see cinnamon peeling in action and buy high quality cinnamon at bargain price and visit to the fish massage stall.

After breakfast visit to the places of educational interest. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Galle.

Places to visit … SOS Village, Dutch Town, Galle Fort and Light house Hotel Orientation. 

Galle is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the administrative capital of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and the district capital of Galle District. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. The major river in the area is the Gin River (Gin Ganga), which starts from Gongala Kanda and, passing villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada, and Wakwella, reaches the sea at Ginthota. The river is bridged at Wakwella by the Wakwella Bridge. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the city’s natural harbor, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island, and Amangallathe historic luxury hotel 

SOS Village… SOS Children’s Villages of Sri Lanka is a non-governmental social development organisation that has been active in the field of children’s rights and committed to children’s needs and concerns since 1981. 

Galle Fort: Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. 

Lighthouse Hotel – Lighthouse Hotel – Situated just before Galle town on the south coast, is located on a rocky headland overlooking the Indian Ocean. Here the design strategy is to both confront the relentless crashing of the waves and provide contrasting areas of shelter and tranquillity. No single space is self-contained or complete: each is in part the consequence of a previous space and the anticipation of a subsequent one; each retains links with its neighbours and with the outside so that the eye is continually invited to explore. The architecture itself is muted, but offers subtle memories of Moorish palaces, ocean liners, ancient manor houses and colonial villas.

After breakfast Leave to Colombo, En route some free time at Bentota Water sports center.  Post lunch break proceed to Colombo airport to board the flight for home town.