Monthly Archive for September, 2006

Page 2 of 5

#30 Blue Ocean

Published on 29/09/2006 in guesthouse and restaurants. 1 Comment

#30 Blue Ocean

an introduction will follow soon

#29 Ali Restaurant

Published on 29/09/2006 in restaurants. 0 Comments

#29 Ali Restaurant

#29 Ali's Restaurant

an introduction will follow soon

#28 Why Not?

Published on 29/09/2006 in restaurants. 0 Comments

#28 Why Not?

#28 Why Not? is aÂ simple, Muslim restaurant situated on the land side of the main and only road, right in the heart of Arugam Bay.
Unconfirmed reports state that this place was featured on the popular “Oprah Winfrey Show”.
Being a member of the Arugam Bay Tourist Association, an array of decorated plates as well as a donated fridge is said to been shown.
Courtesy of “Mercy Corps”
As no other information is on hand, as of late 2008:

Please send us YOUR observation!

#27 Mermaid Village

Published on 29/09/2006 in accomodation and guesthouse. 0 Comments

#27 Mermaid Village

is a deserted Village.
Not open as yet

#26 Farhath Guest House

Published on 29/09/2006 in guesthouse and restaurants. Closed

#26 Farhath Guest House

#26 Farhath has only been opened recently; maybe in mid 2007.
The timing was not good for business, which thie year never came.
However, the owners are friendly and they did try hard to please:
The openeing ‘party’ went well; they were very generous and invited half the village.

Mainly, Farhath Guest House is a little road side, colorful restaurant, land side, about opposite to #25 Lucky Leprechaun. They seem to specialize in local food only.
In addition, there are one or two small cabanas for rent at very reasonable rates.

This stub has been written January, 2008.
Pings and Comments for this particular post have been disabled (for now), because for some strange reason #26 Farhath Guest House has attracted more spam messages and track-backs than any other post on www.arugam.info.

And that was before this post actually every had any content or photo in it.

Let us see what happens now:
#26 Farhath:
You may be new, and small!
But on the Internet your little place is somewhat famous already!

Keep up the good work!

Roadview of #26 Farhath Guest House

#25 Lucky Leprechaun

Published on 29/09/2006 in accomodation, bars, cabanas, guesthouse and restaurants. 0 Comments

#25 Lucky Leprechaun Surfer

#25 Lucky Leprechaun Hotel

an introduction will follow soon

#24 Nina Cabanas

Published on 29/09/2006 in accomodation, cabanas and restaurants. 0 Comments

#24 Nina Cabanas

an introduction will follow soon

#23 Food Garden

Published on 29/09/2006 in restaurants. 4 Comments

#23 Food Garden

#23 Food Garden is fairly new in its present location, but the fast talking owner Hanifa and previous locations have been a land mark at Arugam Bay for a long time.

Hanifa learned to speak good English and acquired his brilliant cooking skills somewhere in the Middle East. On his return to Sri Lanka he opened a very small hut on the sandy beach front, in the middle of the Bay.
Thereafter, in 2003 or so the old Food Garden shifted to a more permanent location just in front of what is now #22 Rocco’s Hotel. Here business was brisk. A good name was established and many guests from #20 Aloha came to dine, as the Swiss owned cabana park had no kitchen facilities in those days.

Indeed, Hanifa even branched out into the small guest house business and build some some small rooms, right on the beach front. This was a brilliant location, but bad timing: On 26th December the Food Garden ceased to exist.
However,as far as the writer is informed nobody died or was seriously injured.
Although immediate assistance and new building materials were supplied to Haniffa,Â he decided to shift again,away from the unpredictable sea front to a location on the land side of the road, opposite #22 Rocco‘s.

Clever Hannifa sold the property to Roccos (who incorporated the sea front cabanas into their establishment) and business went down.
Not because of the quality of his food and service – but because of the war andÂ few proper visitors in the Bay (NGO’s used to dine at other places).

Not contented, in 2008 the legendary Food Garden moved again!

Now, in Mid 2008 a new Food GardenÂ is located somewhere near #32 Tristar and #37 Hidaway Hotel, on the land side of the main road.
Again, the reputation speaks for itself and Hannifa is one of the very few Dine-out Restaurants which manages to attract enough business away from all the hotels, which normally like their guests to eat in at all times. Competition is sharp, but good old Hannifa always seems to manage to get on top of them all, with an ever changing menu and innovative, good food.

#22 Rocco’s Hotel

Published on 29/09/2006 in accomodation, bars, hotels and restaurants. 4 Comments

#22 Rocco’s Hotel is a relatively new development formerly known as Tourettes’ Hotel.
Situated in the middle of the Bay, with main road as well as open beach access it has a perfect position. Well away from smelly, but colourful fishing operations.

The actual hotel has a strange, but appealing architecture sporting multiple roofs and terraces. The original seaside bar, ‘Rocco’s was washed away in December 2004 and subsequently replaced by a similar, but not quite as nice structure made entirely of natural materials. The main building was near undamaged and reopened early 2005.

#22 Rocco’s is a partnership of local, successful businessman Naleen, UK’s red Steve and New Zealander Ralph. Fellow Kiwi David, who in 2002 designed and constructed Roccos appears to have lost interest and has not been seen since 2004.

Whenever Steve is in residence and control of Rocco’s it is a well run, popular place with about 10 nice bedrooms.
The development occupies also includes a very fine position. A clear view towards surf point is truly memorable from a few additional rooms situated next to the bar. This little piece of prime land was purchased in 2005 from Mr. Haniff and added to the Rocco’s complex. Popular fast talking cook Haniff used to run his busy little restaurant named Food Garden from this very location before he moved to #23 Food Garden position on the main road, opposite.

Update, December, 2008:
The #22 Rocco Beach Bar has been re-designed. Yes again.
Now we have building No.:Â Mk3 in place.
The new building is in the same-same location. But a much lower construction.
The effect is said to be more cool – due to cross wind effects we presume.
The roof is made of clay tiles and not “Cajan” (Coconut leaves) as before.
In addition, the earlier land mark ‘landing strip’ lights have been replaced with better garden light features.

Roadside view of #22 Rocco's Hotel

#21 Danish Villa

Published on 29/09/2006 in accomodation and guesthouse. 9 Comments

#21 Danish Villa. Your holiday home from home

#21 Danish Villa has a refreshing and totally different concept than all other ‘hotels’ in Arugam Bay.
This colonial style, but modern bungalow is set well back in a huge tropical garden. Although individual rooms can be rented, ideally the entire house can be yours for the duration of your vacation.
There are a number of well equipped bedrooms, a large modern lounge with Satellite TV and HiFi systems and a great terrace where you can’t see, but hear the ocean in the distance whilst having your dinner.

Essentially, it is a self catering operation, but a cook is on hand should you not wish to spend your time in the well appointed kitchen.

Road Sign

#21 Danish Villa is owned by a young couple from …. surprise!: Denmark. Camila & Per came to AbaY and through contacts at Danish run #01 Stardust purchased the land and constructed the building in a highly professional way.
Per, specially, gained wide local respect in the aftermath of Dec/04 with his endless well cleaning, water supply and his support for the Community.

An own web site exists and as soon as we have learned how to embed special and easy contact buttons all relevant links will be added here.

#20 Aloha Cabanas

Published on 29/09/2006 in accomodation and cabanas. 8 Comments

Road Signs

#20 Aloha Cabanas are situated in the middle of the Bay at Arugam.
Apart from a strong surfing connection, his reclusive development might better be described as #20 Amish Cabanas. You will find no grass skirted Hawaii beauties or all night parties here, and of course no loud music, but a romantic resort, well constructed and maintained, of conservative, all natural materials.
Men might be sporting straw hats and ladies are seen in a long and modest dress.
#20 Aloha is highly popular with Christian surfers, Surfing the Nation groups and others seeking a quiet, traditional vacation, be itÂ in a kind of time warp setting.
Formerly owned by popular Alwin of Austria, the large piece of land was sold to reclusive Swiss surfer Thomas and managed by local counterpart Johnson until the latter married and moved to Switzerland. Many guests might be speaking with a German kind of accent, shunning technology and progress by upholding traditional values.

Entrance into #20 Aloha Cabanas

Low lighting, brilliant and well constructed cabanas, lockable chests, lookout balconies, a huge crater-type well, a quality surf shop and the odd camp fire are to be found within the walled compound to the extend that guests feel they are in Arugam Bay all alone, in a setting before the Bay was hit by progress such as mains power and other high tech. innovations.

If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful, romantic holiday with a feeling of times gone by, Aloha is ideal for you.

There is a direct access to the beach and a good view towards distant surf point.

Contact : Johnson
Email : arugamaloha@gmail.com
Website :
Telephone : 077-616 89 29