The Inside Mail on Anantara Peace Haven Resort, Sri Lanka
TS GUIDE HARRISON BIDEN
If you're looking for adventure, climb over 500 steps to summit Mulkirigala Rock Temple. You’ll see rock paintings and statues dating back 500 years and impressive views from the top.
For those seeking culinary culture, travel by tuk tuk to Tangalle food markets to select your range of fresh fruits, veggies and spices. Then cook up a storm with a local chef teaching you the ways of Sri Lankan cuisine. It’s called ‘Spice Spoons.’
In respect to surfing, the waves tend to be best in the morning as the wind is generally calmer before 10am. Tides barely fluctuate. When the swell is big we have a deep-water wave and when it’s small the sandy beach break at Kudawella can offer great shape. Hiriketiya and Unakuruwa are very consistent rocky bottom waves. It’s all within 20 minutes of the resort.
Speak some local language such as ‘lassana’ (pronounced lass-a-nai) which means beautiful. Or ‘kohomada’ (pronounced ko-humada) which is ‘How are you?’ It’s a friendly gesture and you’ll shock some locals with it.
At sunset try the passionfruit mojito at iL Mare up on the hill.
Sri Lankan people are genuine, generous and kind. They may invite you to their homes and welcome you with food and drink. It’s nice to accept and be grateful. Money is not what they seek. Perhaps bring a small souvenir from your home country. Even some old clothes or an old surfboard.
Yoga is held morning and afternoon. The instructor is an Ayurvedic doctor, the location is spectacular and he is very interesting to talk to about health and wellness.
ROSS (Director of TS) & DI PHILLIPS
Yala National Park really is worth the day. But depart super early to be there close to sunrise, affording the best chance to see leopards. And yes – there is a reasonably high chance of sighting them, along with elephants, crocodiles and a host of wildlife.
Galle is a fantastic city to visit for a day. Or head to the mountains. Ella is just over 2 hours away and the mountains rise up to 1000m+ above sea level and are breathtaking.
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