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Villa Life in Bali
We had a comfortable and enjoyable stay in a villa in Seminyak. The villa was extremely well taken care of, and was perfect for my holiday. There are plenty of small restaurants within walking distance from the villa, as well as shops for shopping and window shopping. The staff are very friendly efficient and unobtrusive. The swimming pool is very private and a lot bigger than the usual pool provided at other locations.
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Temples and Shrines Everywhere
Bali is also known as the Island of Thousand temples! You get to see a temple or a small shrine everywhere you turn with regular prayers and rituals spanning life from birth to death. The temples are unique in architecture and design. The temples are clean and well maintained and very popular with tourists from all over the world. Do not wear shorts or a sleeveless blouse or shirt to the temples.
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Sambals and Warungs
Bali’s staple food is rice and it is served with mild to spicy dishes. Though Balinese are mostly Hindus, they do eat beef and some of the Muslim Balinese eat pork too. Spicy condiments like sambal are always served as accompaniment to the dishes. If you are not cooking at home, there are the street food stalls called “warungs” and you can get about everything you need to fill up your stomach. Bali also has several nasi padang stalls from Sumatra
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Cooking at the Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo
I was invited to cook and teach some seafood dishes to the chefs at the Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo. This hotel is about 45 minutes drive from Colombo and was my last stop this time around. The admirable architecture of the resort, which was originally designed by a world renowned architect named Geoffrey Bawa. The resort lies on a thin strip of land between the Indian Ocean and the large Negombo’ lagoon, and due to its water features the property boasts of a very relaxed and tranquil resort in the western coast of Sri Lanka and you can witness an awesome sunset every evening!
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Paddy Villa at Jetwing Vil Uyana Hotel
I stayed in a Paddy Field Villa in the midst of paddy fields. I liked the villa especially the open shower concept and the enormous sunken bath tub and the beautiful four poster bed with fine mosquito net draped around it. The villas at Vil Uyana are built around a lake – home for a few marsh crocodiles, lots of fish and surprisingly large bright green frogs and many species of butterflies and birds. I enjoyed my stay in this beautiful place with all the wildlife around me. The staffs of Jetwing are always helpful and efficient, and the food at the Apsara restaurant was of excellent quality.
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Tea and Spices at Nuwara Eliya
If you ever go to Sri Lanka, ensure that you visit the highlands like Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. I was at Nuwara Eliya recently. The Colombo-Kandy-Nuwara Eliya motor road offers a exceptionally scenic and spectacular drive. Nuwara Eliya, the highest city in Sri Lanka lies at an elevation of 1890 meters above sea level and lies beneath the tallest peak of the island, Mount Pedro – 2555 meters. Nuwara Eliya is a favourite destination for all tourists to Sri Lanka as well as the people who live there because of the cool, sometimes frightfully cold weather and for quaintness of the place. During peak seasons, all the accommodation rates will…
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Pettah Market in Colombo
I like the open-air markets in Sri Lanka. I particularly enjoyed the Pettah market. The market stretches out towards the north from the Fort Railway Station. I got to see all the leafy green vegetables and herbs the Sri Lankans use in their cuisine. Fresh gotu kola, young jackfruits, betel leaves, coriander leaves, mint leaves and many other greens. Baskets of fruits, different types of chillies, green to red to black peppercorns and many other colourful vegetables and people make up the scene of this market! There are several vibrant narrow streets devoted to different trade and you could spend a whole day here. Remember to wear your sunglasses and…
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Fishery at Wadduwa
I visited the fish wholesale market when I was at Wadduwa. I had to leave the hotel at about 5 am to see the fishermen bringing in the catch. The fish market is a vivid and sensuous experience, full of warmth and colour and is a glimpse into the authentic everyday life of Sri Lankan fishermen! At the market, you can watch the fish being brought into the market from the brightly coloured fishing boats, to the auctioning as well as sales of some dried fish and knives used for chopping fish. The dried gills of the sting ray which fetches lots of money if exported to other demanding countries…
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Blue Water Beach Hotel – Hidden Paradise
I was given a extremely warm welcome by the staff of the Blue Water Beach Resort at Wadduwa, Sri Lanka. Wadduwa is 27 km from Colombo and on the south west of Sri Lanka; much laid back but a paradise for sea lovers. You can reach Wadduwa by train, car or bus. The Blue Water Beach Resort is a paradise hidden between lush coconut plantations and facing the Indian Ocean. The beach at Wadduwa is a stripe of golden powdery sands with crystal clear, shimmering water. The Blue Water Beach Resort was designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa and is about 16 years old and with about 100 rooms of…
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Handicrafts of Kerala
Kerala is well known for its beautiful handicrafts. These items range from brass and bell metal works, silk sarees, wall hangings, coir products, ivory works, lacquer products, sandalwood carving, wooden toys, jewellery, coconut shell products, and cotton and silk fabrics.
