I went to Sri Lanka with family for a short holiday. After completing all the formalities, in the afternoon, we proceeded towards south of Sri Lanka from Bandaranaike International Airport, destination Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort. The roads in the city were busy, we arrived at the resort after midnight. We rested for the night and I went out to explore the resort after breakfast.
The resort is huge & gorgeous, the size of the plot is 21 acres. It has lovely garden; the ground is carefully maintained to stroll around. The resort has its own paddy field, vegetable garden, mini farm with chickens, ducks, quail, turkeys and cow. Lots of wildlife roam the property including peacocks, lizards, squirrels and porcupine.
There are endless activities to keep one entertained, like playing tennis, badminton & table tennis including swimming in the pool. Beaches are just stunning with fine golden sand. Sunset is spectacular. When one stays at Anantara one never need to leave the property because they have almost everything one could ever hope for.
However, Tangalle provides a great base to visit popular town like Galle, national parks of Yala, Bundala & Udawalawe and enjoy whale & dolphin watching in Mirissa.
Yala national park
Our Sri Lanka trip included a morning trip to Yala National Park. We particularly went to see Leopard, knowing that there is no guarantee of spotting a leopard but unfortunately we did not see leopards. However, we saw elephants, peacocks, warthog, deer, birds, buffalo and lot more.
Today we enjoyed spa treatment, luxurious spa – truly a heaven of peace in itself.
Anantara Peace Haven Spa provides traditional healing rituals, reflexology and Ayurvedic massages, relieving mental stresses and fatigue, providing calming feeling throughout the body & mind.
Mawella Lagoon
We went for a boat trip in Mawella lagoon. We were provided with snacks & drinking water. It’s a peaceful and lovely place. We were able to see lots of birds and particularly enjoyed the sunset.
Whale & dolphin watching in Mirissa.
I booked a trip for whale watching with the expectation of seeing some whales. I was picked up from hotel around 0400hrs and arrived Mirissa town by 0600hrs. From the town I was transferred to Mirissa Fisheries harbour where I boarded the ship. More than an hour of sailing & deep into Indian Ocean we eventually spotted whales. While returning back to harbour we spotted a pod of dolphins swimming together.
Matara city
On the way back from whale watching in Mirissa I briefly stopped in Matara city to experience cultural & religious rituals.
Our room had spacious balcony and let the ocean breeze drift in. The room was elegantly decorated. It had spectacular ocean view. . The sound of waves of Indian Ocean was wonderful, particularly at night when everything was quiet.
Choice and quality of food was excellent. Buffet breakfast was very good. Staffs were amazing, very warm hearted and always smiling.
Welcome ceremonial and the Departure ceremonial
Upon arrival we were greeted with the word “Ayubowan”. It is a Sri Lankan greeting that means “may you live long”. However, we missed the traditional welcome ceremony with Sri Lankan singing and drumming. We arrived at the resort after midnight. welcoming us traditionally would mean disturbing all other residents. However, we were given a proper departure ceremonial. The ceremony of farewell was genuinely touching and it was traditionally blessed.
