February 8th, 2010 by Sam Clark
A reminder from our friends at Moonhill came in today about their paining workshop which seemss to be proving popular. I doubt there are more inspiring places anywhere!
For more details get in touch with us.
Andy from Moonhill writes:
Only a few places still available on Billy Showell’s ‘Orchids & Tropical Flowers’ painting
workshop in Sri Lanka. Course dates 4th-10th & 11th-17th April 2010.
Spend 6 nights in the tranquil setting of Moonhill, a luxurious beach villa on Sri Lanka’s
southern coast, drawing and painting orchids & tropical flowers Sri Lanka is orchid heaven!
More than 188 orchid species grow here, with a stunning 55 that are unique to the island and
provide the source of inspiration for this course.
Under Billy’s encouraging step-by-step guidance you will find yourself drawing and painting
these exquisite flowering plants with increasing confidence and skill. All-ability levels and
beginners are welcome on the 4-day painting course, with the small group size (maximum no. 
guaranteeing you individual tuition and guidance. Places are limited and will be based on
first come first serve.
Tags: Arts#, Moonhill, Painting, Painting Workshop, Sri Lanka
Posted in Guest Contributors, Sri Lanka |
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January 15th, 2010 by Tom Armstrong
Sri Lanka has been rated number 1 in the New York Times’ top travel suggestions for 2010.
Of the 31 countries listed in the feature, the publication cited the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, the island’s glorious beaches and spectacular wildlife as some of the principal attractions.
The Nilaveli Beach Hotel and unexplored east coast, Thambapanni Retreat were singled out for particular praise, as were The Sun House and Galle Fort Hotel in Galle.
It’s great to see Sri Lanka finally getting some much deserved attention for the right reasons and we look forward to sharing in, and contributing to, the success and progress the country will make in 2010.
Tags: awards, new york times travel, recommendations, Thampanni, The Sun House, Unawatuna
Posted in Sri Lanka |
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January 12th, 2010 by Tom Armstrong
The British Foreign Office (FCO) has further relaxed it’s travel advice with regards to travel in Sri Lanka’s fascinating eastern provinces. This puts the fabulous beaches at Pasikudah and Kalkudah back on the travel map. Vibrant towns such as Amparai and Batticaloa are also officially considered safe again.
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Tags: Arugam Bay, Batticaloa, Beaches, FCO, Travel advisory
Posted in Sri Lanka |
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December 24th, 2009 by Sam Clark
We’ve had 2 directors and a staff member in Sri Lanka for the bulk of this month - looking at product, talking to suppliers and generally making a nuisence of themselves. The overwhelming impression that were left with is how Sri Lanka is starting to take off after the end of the war 6 months ago. It aint a bed of roses by any means - but there is hope for the future and that is something new in Sri Lanka in many ways.
One of our directors, Mick Lowe, below gives his personal reflections on the political scene in Sri Lanka, from a tourist point for view and watch out for some great product news and reviews over the coming weeks.
Happy Christmas One and All!
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Tags: Add new tag, politics, Sri Lanka, sri lanka politics
Posted in Cambodia, Experience Travel, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
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November 28th, 2009 by Sam Clark
It’s just been confirmed that there will be a Presidential Election in Sri Lanka on 26th January. It’s basically a face off between the two great war heroes of popular Sri Lankan mythology - President Rajapakse and the fromer head of the Armed forces Sarath Fonseka, rivals as true heir to the Dutugemunu legacy, will slug it out for supremacy. The erstwhile partners in the successful push to finish the Sri Lankan civil war this year have fallen out with each other in spectacular fashion. Fonseka, hero to the masses and to the army rank and file, is certainly the only man around with the popularity credentials to get anywhere close to President Mahinda Rajapakse right now.
I can only assume it has been called so quickly to catch Fonseka and his unholy UNP/JVP alliance on the hop, whilst forcing the prospective candidates in the general election (which must be held before May 2010) to campaign ferociously on behalf of their President at risk of losing their own jobs/chance to contest a seat in the upcoming elections.
The inhabitants of Sri Lanka continue to live in interesting times…
Tags: Add new tag, Sri Lanka, sri lanka politics
Posted in Experience Travel, Sri Lanka |
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November 28th, 2009 by Sam Clark
The villa concept in Sri Lanka is misunderstood in many quarters in Europe son) and so it’s a theme I come back to - in the (probably) vain hope that someone might read this blog and help get the following messages out.
1: Villas are a wonderful option for staying in Sri Lanka, both for couples looking for luxury and privacy at a reasonable cost and for families looking for comfort and value.
2: Villas in Sri Lanka are generally not cheap and they are not basic self catering units as you get in the west.
3: Villas in Sri Lanka are great value.
I’ll deal with point 2 first. We at Experience Sri Lanka spend much of our time explaining that villas in Sri Lanka are not like cheap European/Australian/US villas/self catering units, that you cannot get them without staff and that you will pay a fairly decent rate, even for the most basic.
There are several reasons why the villas are not cheap:
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Tags: Food, Sam Clark, Sri Lanka, villas in sri lanka
Posted in Experience Travel, Sri Lanka |
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November 24th, 2009 by Sam Clark
We constantly get asked to reccommend our favourite restaurants to clients and this worries us as it seems to change so quickly. What suits Peter, seems to annoy Paul, in much more pronounced a way than hotels or more general hotel experiences. I am often tempted to let people chose for themselves by reading the numerous blogs and reviews out there. However, we can always make the table booking for you too…. As usual speak to us directly here.
For Vietnam in particular there are some brilliant blogs on the subject - the writer of Noodlepie has long since left but the info is still there and it is fantastic. I really like a Girl In Asia too. There are many more.
For us here is a quick list to get you started of places we have experienced… This is by no means definitive though - there are simply thousands of incredible options, from street food to high end dining… These are just places we like - I wouldn’t even remotely claim to be expert enough to pronounce on what is best…
Hanoi - Quan An Ngon. Great idea - brought some of the best street chef’s together under one roof - paid them a regualr wage, added a decent markup and made this a brilliant introduction and must visit if time is short.
Hoi An - The Cargo Club is great for Vietnamese food and a relaxed and stylish introduction to the country….
Siagon - personally i’m huge Pho fan… but for high end eating Nam Kha is fun.
Bangkok - where to start - it’s ridiculous and I usually end up with street food but Suan Kularb - has a great variety of Thai and Chinese dishes as well as Dim Sum to die for at lunchtime and the best steamed fish around in the evening.
Cambodia - anywhere on the south coast where delectable fresh seafood, Cambodian spice pastes, French cunning and Kampot pepper collide to extraordinary affec but the fish amok at The Jasmine in Kampot is particularly blinding….
Suggestions from the floor?
Tags: Cambodian seafood, Food, Hoi An, Sam Clark, street food, Thai food, Thailand, Vietnam, vietnamese food
Posted in Thailand |
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November 18th, 2009 by Tom Armstrong
We are delighted to welcome back Sidantha Kumara, one of our specialist nature & adventure guides, as our guest blogger. Here he shares his passionate views on the ethics of conservation. His views are directly influenced by his involvement in the Abode community tourism project in the knuckles mountains and from his general passion for social and environmental protection of Sri Lanka’s incredible natural and cultural wealth. 
His views are also influenced by his deep commitment to the human side of the conservation debate. Other similarly informed and opinionated people we work with have different views on this complex subject. Visiting Sri Lanka will likely raise many questions and debate about the conservation of such immense heritage and precious natural resources on all levels. For now though, over to Sid: Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: abode, conservation, history, illuks, knuckles mountains, protection
Posted in Sri Lanka |
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November 12th, 2009 by Sam Clark
We have been asked alot recently about Sri Lankan Airlines new economy plus cabin. Sri Lankan Airlines now have a cabin at the front of the plane which has only 3 rows of seats - making it much quieter. The seats also have a very welcome 4 extra inches of legroom. The food and service is the same but at £50 per person per sector, it is a very reasonable upgrade and well worth the money. Talk to us about including that for you.
Tags: airlines, Sam Clark, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka flights
Posted in Experience Travel, Singapore |
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November 11th, 2009 by Sam Clark
We were delighted to hear that Air Asia are now flying Saigon to Phuket. This opens up a world of possibilities for those wanting some Thailand beach action following a hectic tour of Vietnam. Do ask us for more details and we can built that in to your tour!
Tags: air asia, thai beaches, Vietnam
Posted in Experience Travel, Vietnam |
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