Browsed by
Month: March 2021

An Epic Kind of Nature Adventure!

An Epic Kind of Nature Adventure!

Olu Ella is in Kegalle District. It is home to the 6th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka and the tallest waterfall in Kegalle. The Olu Ella Waterfall – 127 meters tall and 18 meters wide, is also nicknamed Sri Lankan Niagra Falls. To marvel at the cascading waterfall of Olu Ella, and to enjoy an unforgettable hike, you must get to Kandy. From there, take the Colombo – Kandy Road up to Yatiyanthota, passing Kadugannawa, Ussapitiya, Hettimulla, Bulathkohupitiya and Karawanella. Turn left at Pelampitiya Road and go down to find Olu Ella.

Our goal was to travel to Olu Ella, trek through scenic nature trails of the lush forests, and engage in some super cool out-door activities such as kayaking, abseiling and even rifle-shooting! The nature trail that lay before was rugged yet exciting. Picturesque surroundings everywhere you looked, it was absolutely breathtaking. We also had the incredible chance of camping in an all-natural cave next to a natural pool which was such a unique experience for everyone.

Bonding over a warm bonfire while being one with nature- it was perfect to say the least!

Discovering Traditional Drum Making in Rural Sri Lanka

Discovering Traditional Drum Making in Rural Sri Lanka

The entire village plays a role in the business of manufacturing these drums. To start work on the drums wood is cut, mainly from the Jack Fruit tree. Some other woods used are from Ehela (neem) and coconut trees. The artisans use the wood which, is most readily available at the time. The carving of the shape of the drum thereafter begins, where the raw logs are carved to the required shape of each of the drum types. After the cutters and carvers have done their job, the product goes to the finishers and shavers – who smoothen the other layer and scoop out the insides of the drum to form a hollow cavity after which the polishers will apply varnish to give the drum colour and protect the wood. Thereafter the goat and cattle skin is used for the drums itself, where the skins are cut into circles and tightly bound onto the drum. Afterwards, the grinder will grind up a black porous rock which is pasted only to the centre of the leather on each side of the drum.

a

Some of the most popular drums used are mentioned below.

GETA BERAYA:

This hill country drum is called the Geta Beraya (a drum with a knot) according to its shape. This is the main drum used to accompany dance sequences in all Kandyan rituals. The two faces of the drum are described as ‘left’ and ‘right’. The right side is covered with the hide of a monkey or monitor lizard and the left side is covered with cattle hide, which is used to provide a finer sound. Since the drum is usually played at open-air venues, the sound carries to quite a distance. This drum is turned out of wood from Ehela, Jak, Kohomba and Milla trees. Various parts of the drum have separate names and are played by tying around the waist.

YAK BERAYA:

This low-country drum is also called the Ruhunu Beraya, Yak Beraya or the Goshaka Beraya. It is used in the southern coastal areas known as the Pahatha Rata’. The Yak Beraya is the main drum used to accompany dance sequences in this region of Sri Lanka. This cylindrical drum is covered with the stomach lining of cattle and turned out of wood from Kitul, Coconut, Kohomba, Ehela and Milla trees. The drummer plays the instrument by hand whilst tied around the waist. Some players decorate the trunks of their drums with various motifs or fix stainless steel bars around the body.

THAMMATTAMA:

The Thammattama consists of two separate pieces. It is called the Pokuru Beraya and is also referred to as the cluster of drums. This twinset of drums is of different sizes. As this is a twinset, it is termed `Ubhayatala’. The top side is covered with cattle hide, and the body is made out of wood from Milla, Kohomba, Jak and Ehela trees. The left side produces low pitched tones while the right produces high pitched tones. These drums are played with two special sticks fashioned out of Kirindi. The Thammattama is an essential instrument during religious services at Buddhist temples and shrines.

Kings Pavilion

Kings Pavilion

A luxury boutique property located 15 minutes from Kandy, this 3-acre sprawling estate is a contemporary hotel that offers stylish and luxurious comfort. With beautiful birdlife and nature surrounding the property, it also has beautiful vistas of the Hantana and Knuckles mountain ranges. The design combines contemporary style with traditional Kandyan arts and culture from the beautifully elaborate batik wall hanging by renowned Sri Lankan artist the late Ena De Silva which welcomes guests as they enter, to the beautiful photographs and paintings of Kandyan style dancers placed stylishly in each room, the property’s décor provides a colourful insight into the varied and diverse aspects of the life of Kandy.

a

This property has its own spa, complete with a sauna and a steam room. Also on offer are yoga classes, complimentary bicycles and painting facilities. There is a small infinity pool overlooking the valley.

The restaurant offers a la carte options for all meals, with a great range of both international and local dishes. Relax and enjoy one of the signature dishes such as the Kings Pavilion Mix Grill Special while looking over the lawns and valley below.

Kings Pavilion Kandy truly is the perfect place for those wanting to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring the surrounding region.

Kitul Pani – The sweet sap which is loved by all

Kitul Pani – The sweet sap which is loved by all

Kitul Pani – The sweet sap which is loved by all

This process starts with tapping: the beady, vine-like flowers of the palm are pierced by a tapper, and drool their sap into a pot hung under the inflorescence. Each palm can be tapped around seven times in its lifetime, with each subsequent draw usually yielding less than the last. Tappers “will typically climb their palms twice a day” to make sure any cuts healed by the plant are reopened and re-tapped. This raw, watery sap is white and frothy, clinically alive with yeast fermenting it — potentially into kithul toddy or raa. To avoid this, it is “boiled down pretty much immediately” over a timber fire, which gives the treacle its woody undertones and its viscous consistency. Once boiled, the pani is ready for the plate — preserved au natural, the treacle can last a couple of months at best. Boiling it further down once makes a form of unrefined sugar which is also used for many types of sweets, desserts and even paired with unsweetened black tea.

 Discover the delicious treats made out of this sweet elixir on your next visit to Sri Lanka

a

Tuskers of Sri Lanka- Last of a Noble Line

Tuskers of Sri Lanka- Last of a Noble Line

Throughout the years the tusked males of Sri Lanka have been diminishing gradually, due to many reasons. From the times of the kings of old, the elephants of Sri Lanka were prized and hence many were exported to neighbouring kingdoms. More tuskers were prized as beasts of war and stately purposes which also could have affected the wildlife population. Finally, as the colonials arrived, elephants were considered vermin and they were killed in their thousands for sport and pleasure. Among those killed the tusker would be a prized trophy hence targeted even more. Post-independence many land management and allocation projects further marginalized the wild elephant populations. Big elephant drives such as the ones with the Deduru Oya herds further resulted in the deaths of tuskers and elephants alike. As a result of these actions, we now end up with a small fraction of the tuskers that would have been roaming the island. Instead, we have mostly tuskless bulls or “Makhnas” as they are referred to in mainland India. The superior feature of ivory on these bull elephants is gradually being lost through time.

Tuskers constitute only a very small proportion of the entire elephant population and are scattered across the dry zones of our country. To encounter one in the wild is extremely rare, and when I do find one, the spiritual and emotional connection I have when making eye contact with him is beyond words. I sometimes feel they are trying to tell me something, perhaps they know that their days in this land are numbered and that their future is uncertain.

It may come as a surprise to many that the majority of tuskers and elephants are found outside the protected national parks and sanctuaries. These giants are scattered across small pockets of forests that are surrounded by an ocean of human settlements. When I venture into certain areas in search of them, I am in shock that such large animals could live in such a small space just next to a busy, bustling town. This is the harsh reality these elephants have to face.

Over the decades the habitats of these animals have shrunk whilst thousands of human settlements have sprung up around them. This isolation has resulted in the loss of lives from both sides of the fence. Due to sheer desperation, the villagers in the conflict areas have resorted to drastic means of retaliation such as the use of the dreaded “Hakka Pattas” which is a small homemade explosive which is hidden among vegetables, waiting to explode in the mouth of an unknowing animal. The death from such a device is astoundingly agonizing, and it takes days to finally succumb to the horrific injuries. In turn, villagers may lose their fathers, mothers and children overnight when they are caught unawares by a marauding pachyderm. I personally feel this is a war in which we cannot blame any side, as both are placed in a situation of utter desperation and hopelessness.

When I think about the plight of the wild tuskers, I sense a very heavy feeling in my heart, because I know their future is unsure. Do tuskers and elephants still have a place in a fast developing Sri Lanka? Will he have a future where the only remaining tuskers are those poor creatures who spend their lives in chains and occasionally parade themselves in lit-up costumes to appease a nation’s view on culture? These are questions to which I do not hold the answer.

The fate of the tuskers and all other wildlife lies in the hands of every Sri Lankan, not only the poor villagers or those that are in power. It is within every one of us.  The deciding decade is upon us, and the choice is ours to make.

Pettah- An Open-Air Supermarket

Pettah- An Open-Air Supermarket

This experience is focused on walking through the open-air market, exploring its quirky nooks and crannies. You will meet traders, learn about historic buildings and marvel at their architecture as you navigate a maze of trade, traffic and local banter.

Pettah is a chaotic, crowded smorgasbord of sights and sounds. But it is also the go-to place for a variety of items, from plastic, toys, electronics to mechanical parts.

‘Pettah’, in local parlance, refers to the Pettah Market, an expanse of shops extending from Olcott Mawatha to Main Street and beyond. The name ‘Pettah’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘Pettai’, used to indicate a suburb outside a fort. The Sinhalese word for the area, ‘Pita-Kotuwa’, meaning ‘outside the fort’, correlates with this.

As indicated by its name, Pettah or Pita-Kotuwa is the area outside the fort the Portuguese built in the 16th century. The fort was besieged by the Dutch in 1656, who demolished part of the fort and rebuilt it to take advantage of the natural strength of the location. After the British took over in 1815, they set about establishing control in Colombo, and in 1870 demolished the walls of the fort. Despite the absence of ramparts, the area continues to be known as Colombo Fort.

‘Pettah’, and more specifically the Pettah Market, lies just outside what remains of Colombo Fort and is a bustling bazaar of hawkers, shops, vendors and buyers. Architecture from the colonial period stands as the backdrop to the daily hustle and bustle; the Wolvendaal Church, the strikingly red and white Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, the Khan Clock Tower and the Dutch Period Museum watch as life in the 21st Century passes by. Trade in Pettah is dominated by Muslim and Tamil businessmen, but tradesmen from Sinhalese and other minority ethnic groups also operate here. It is usually very crowded, and it is better to undertake the task of shopping there on foot, although there is a car park near the Khan Clock Tower, where buyers arriving in vehicles can park until their shopping is done.

The streets of Pettah are in a constant state of flux; nattamis dart to and fro, unloading heavy gunny sacks of fruit and vegetables from trucks and carrying them to wholesale stores, while buyers in their dozens sidestep them on narrow lanes.  Carts laden with apples, grapes, oranges and other ‘imported’ fruit stand at every street corner, while tiny kiosks serve colourful ‘cool’ in glasses.

After you exit Pettah you can take a short walk through the last remains of the colonial era Colombo Fort Wall and then explore a historic church erected during the Dutch colonial period.