Archive for the 'hotels' Category

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Arugam Bay. From Bridge to Bridge

Published on 01/07/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Ideas, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, hotels, restaurants, services, taxis and the bay. 1 Comment

Arugam from Bridge end to Bridge end

Every year,  since 1999 a virtual walk all the way through the little hamlet called  Arugam Bay takes place in mid year. Always around the 1st July.

Hideaway. In Arugam Bay

Only armed with a small camera, every single visible sign is photographed.
Staring at the PottuVille (Northern) end of town up to the bridge at the other, Southern end where the road opens up into unspoiled Countryside, paddy fields leading to Panama.

A nice, New 7/11 shop at Northern end of the Village

Since 2005 or so this album is digital, on line for all to see changes in this remote village.

click on the image to see  years changes here:

AbaY Walk 2010 part1

If you like, compare it with last years walk thu the village:

Arugam Bay Walk 2009

Or, if you are still not fed up, here is 2008:

AbaY Walk 2008

And here is our 2007 walk through Arugam Bay:

AbaY Walk 2007

Earlier years on application; some images need to be scanned.

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Julian’s After Party at Arugambay

Published on 25/06/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, bars, front page, hotels, people, press coverage, restaurants, surf and the bay. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

ASP Winner Julian Wilson enjoying a cool blonde after his victory

Julian and his supporters

The real party kicked off after the departure of the ASP winner Julian and lasted until sunrise. Sadly, our hero had to catch a flight the same night following his epic win at Arugam Bay

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Sri Lankan Airlines Pro Surf 2010 @ Arugambay

Published on 19/06/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Kitesurf, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, accomodation, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, hotels, people and surf. 1 Comment

Voted as the numero uno surf destination in the Asian zone by Floating Asia, Arugam Bay will now host an international surf tournament from June 18 to 24. The event is spearheaded by SriLankan Airlines and will feature 128 competitors from all parts of the globe including USA, Australia, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, UK, Germany etc.

The contestants comprise former champions as well as some of the best surfers in the world.

Their moves will be graded by 22 internationally recognized surfing referees.

The event is conducted by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the global governing body for surfing. They are the key players in putting together world class surfing events like the World Championship Tour alias the ASP World Tour.

Strolling along the sandy beaches, basking in the golden sun and feeling the salty breeze ruffle your hair maybe a part of the deal when you hit on the nearby beaches but, more is in store for you if you visit Arugam Bay. The wondrous strip of golden sand was not only recognized as one of the country’s wonders by locals but it has been hailed as Asia’s top most surf destination.

Located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka’s South-East coast, shrouded by the wide spread wetlands, lagoons and jungles encompassing a variety of flora and fauna lies Arugam Bay, a fishing village two and a half kilometers south of Pottuvil. The area belongs to the Ampara district.

Overall humid climate prevails at Arugam Bay. A slight breeze sweeps by from the North-East. Usually, showers are expected in September and October. The surfing season is at its peak between June and October. This is when many holidaymakers and surfers hit the beach. Diving is also a favourite pastime with visitors because the area comprises many ship-wrecks that are a challenge to explore. You can also catch sight of wild elephants in the long, deserted beach leading down to Crocodile Rock.

Fishing and farming are the main occupations at Arugam Bay. Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Airlines Pro Surf 2010 @ Arugambay’

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Arugam Bay is ready to surf

Published on 14/06/2010 in Kitesurf, Money Matters, Surf Federation News, accomodation, front page, guesthouse, hotels, parties, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch, services, surf and the bay. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Sri Lanka is getting ready to surf its way up with two international surf festivals organised to be held next month.

Tourists surfing at Arugam Bay

Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Dileep Mudadeniya told Daily FT yesterday that two surf competitions will be held next month at Arugam Bay attracting 300 surf lovers.

“There will be a British Pro Surf competition in the first week of July and the next week will be dedicated to an international level surfing competition,” Mudadeniya said.

The British Pro Surfing Competition is set to attract 75 to 100 British nationals and the Five Star Surfing Championship will attract 200 persons from 15 to 20 countries. The Five Star Championship will be held from 18 to 25 July.

“This is a world quality event and Sri Lanka tourism can attend a large mileage from organizing such events. And the regional empowerment is also vital. The local economic development is set to score high with so many people coming down in one month,” Mudadeniya asserted.

Some 200 rooms, all there is available in the area, have been already booked for the event.

Arugam Bay is on the list of the top 10 surf points in the world. Situated on the South East side of Sri Lanka Arugam Bay receives the same Antarctic winter swell’s that hit Indonesia in the in the middle of the year.

The best time of the year is between May and November when the predominant wind is offshore for at least the first half of the day.

source:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/business/127-local/12964.html

Arugambay gears up for tourist influx

Published on 27/05/2010 in Money Matters, front page, hotels, people, press coverage and services. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Ishara JAYAWARDANA

Put the sand, the surf, a picturesque setting and a luxurious hotel and what do you have? The ideal tourist destination; an ideal combination that will attract tourists to the pearl of the Indian Ocean – Sri Lanka! This project was started this year and at the end of this year, December, Arugambay hopes to complete the project. The entire cost of the hotel upto now is 123 million.

A hotel with three star facilities is under construction in Arugambay at this very moment with the approval of the Sri Lankan Tourism and Development Authority. In addition to building this hotel the Arugambay Tours and Travels organization is functioning as a travel agency.

The building of a hotel is not the only plan marked by Arugambay Tours and Travels. They are planning on creating a Chamber of Tourism under the Company Act.

It is in the process now. There is no chamber of tourism up until now in Sri Lanka. Continue reading ‘Arugambay gears up for tourist influx’

World Cup shown LIVE at Arugam Bay

Published on 23/05/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Ideas, Traveler's Reports, bars, front page, hotels, parties, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch, restaurants and services. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

world cupTop Question today:

“Hello
Some unuasual (sic) question.
As you know there will be the world cup in 2 weeks.
Will it be possible to watch the games in Sri-Lanka
as a non-football country?I am now still in central-asia.
Thank you”

The 2006 World cup @ the SVH. More impressions and memories in gallery below

Answer submitted by the SVH,  Arugam Bay:

The SVH (Siam View Hotel) has shown all major games LIVE on two huge screens for many, many years. Surround sound, open air cinema, best draft home-produced all natural beer etc.

Three stand-by generators! Power cuts are frequent.
This is the place to be and enjoy the world cup in a great setting overlooking the entire Bay.
And in the Company of a great crowd.
Other hotels will also show the games, on small TV’s, as many now have a simple Dialog Sat. connection.
www.arugam.com

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“Best Pub in Sri Lanka” Award goes to Arugam Bay

Published on 23/05/2010 in Blogs, Culture, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, Traveler's Reports, bars, front page, guesthouse, hotels, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch, restaurants, services, shops and weddings. 0 Comments

The Siam View Hotel (SVH) as been voted to be The Best Pub / Bar in Sri Lanka
By the Daily Telegraph, London, UK

Best Pub / Bar Award

The Siam View Hotel is now not only classed as the best Pub / Bar in Sri Lanka, but is now in with a chance of becoming the Best in the World.

continue to read the background of this nomination… Continue reading ‘“Best Pub in Sri Lanka” Award goes to Arugam Bay’

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Arugambay is just too good to let go! Be sure you’ve been there!!

Published on 02/05/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Historical sites, Money Matters, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, front page, hotels, people, press coverage, services, taxis, the bay and wild life. 0 Comments

Arugambay

…… on the East Coast of Sri Lanka used to be a laid back, dreamily indolent sort of locale where fishermen pursued their trade far from the madding bustle of urban zestfulness and commercial excess…………. It still is that way!

photo used by ATaT

But it certainly has jumped into the tourism map of the world with the outstanding holiday experience that it offers.  For one, it is ranked one of the Top 10 surfing beaches in the world. Arugambay Point, Pottuvil point, Peanut Farm, Kormari and Panama are now buzzwords (buzz places!) among the avid of surfers’ community worldwide.

However, Arugambay is a great deal more than bronzed physiques in motion raising the crystalline sand or cruising perilously over the ocean swells. Imagine the sheer joy one feels encountering Dolphins in their cheering habitat!!  For that is exactly what becomes possible to visitors in the season of September.

On shore and inward from the coast, the allure of the wild continues to delight……

For here, the inner yearning of the human spirit to know the confluence it possesses with nature’s bounty in birds in their natural space by the lagoon and to observe elephants as they roam nonchalantly in front of Crocodile Rock, finds fulfillment. Indeed, Arugambay nestles on the edge of a verdant forest reserve.

While on the subject, not far away in Uda Walawe Continue reading ‘Arugambay is just too good to let go! Be sure you’ve been there!!’

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Wordcup 2010

Published on 26/04/2010 in Blogs, Culture, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, front page, hotels, parties, people, press coverage and presse-deutsch. 0 Comments

Advance notice to all Football lovers:
arugam.info is pleased to inform you that ALL games will be shown LIVE on at least two BIG screens at Arugam Bay this summer.
Surround sound, good vibes, open air cinema, BBQ and all the trimmings.

More details will follow soon.

Be here.
With us in the famous Bay!

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Tsunami H. changes its name

Published on 22/04/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, accomodation, cabanas, front page, hotels, people, restaurants and the bay. 0 Comments

The Arugam Bay Hotel is the new name for the Tsunami Hotel in Arugam Bay, a beautiful beach in Eastern Sri Lanka with some of the World’s best surfing.

LOGOS test:

Yala National Park is just to the South, with leopards, elephants and other exotic wildlife, tours available daily.  Of course A-Bay is famous for its water sports – a clean, glassy faced 300m rideable right hand point break, often stated as #6 worldwide in surfing circles; wind and kite surfing. Boasting a pristine local ecology unrivaled in Sri Lanka; a fresh daily catch of seafood; fine weather, beautiful views, clean air, stunning sunrises, amazing bird and animal life, a vibrant local culture and very friendly local people; healthy pursuits like yoga, swimming, surfing and meditation, make it easy to de-stress and relax; and magnificent unspoiled beaches and walks where you’ll experience all nature’s elements and feel alive….

The Tsunami Hotel opened 1999 in the heart of Arugam Bay, we were almost completly destroyed by the asian tsunumi in 2004 and have rebuilt. You can visit our original site here. We currently have 11 rooms in evergreen shaded grounds, right by the warm Indian ocean.

For Bookings and information call Naleen on 077 664 2991

http://www.thearugambayhotel.com/

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Magical KumbukRiver unveils a special package for Sri Lankans

Published on 04/03/2010 in Blogs, Environmental, Security & Safety, accomodation, bars, cabanas, front page, hotels, people, press coverage, restaurants, stop over Ideas and the bay. 0 Comments

Magic stopovers on the way to Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka’s highest awarded resort brand KumbukRiver has just introduced a special rate package that allows more locals to spend a private holiday at its celebrated eco resort on the edge of Yala.  The resort which sells at US$ 250 per  couple for a night, now offers special rates from Rs.3500/- per person full board especially designed for locals who appreciate a holiday at one with nature’s splendor.

KumbukRiver Eco Extraordinaire (www.kumbukriver.com), awarded as the world’s leading eco-lodge by the coveted World Travel Awards, is a private getaway nestled on a 16-acre nature enclave in gem-rich Okkampitiya in Buttala.  The spritely Kumbukkan Oya meanders through the resort offering unparalleled privacy as the resort entertains just a single party at a time despite its vastness.  KumbukRiver borders the Yala wildlife sanctuary and features the world-famous Elephant Villa, a 40ft high, 2-story villa which adds a touch of class to eco holidaying.  The eco resort also features two other chalets and all in all presents several well-appointed bathrooms and lounges among other features which create a unique holiday for the whole family.

“The Elephant-shaped villa is our centre-piece. Continue reading ‘Magical KumbukRiver unveils a special package for Sri Lankans’

Classic Dox – Adrift in Sri Lanka On air: 5 February 2010 13:20 – 1 March 2010 13:20

Published on 01/03/2010 in Blogs, Environmental, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, Security & Safety, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, bars, books, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, hotels, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch, restaurants and services. 0 Comments

Producer Marijke van der Meer was holidaying in Sri Lanka when disaster struck in December 2004. Her personal report from one of the country’s devastated towns told of the harrowing situation there and the desperate need for aid.

Award winning (Re-) Broadcast on 1st March, 2010
In the southeastern Sri Lankan coastal town of Pottovil – a town with an ethnic mix of Singhalese and Tamils, Muslims and Buddhists – a golden statue of Buddha stares serenely over Arugam Bay. The bay was a Mecca for surfers, who stayed in guesthouses with names such as Chill Space Surf, Hideaway, Aloha and even the Tsunami Beach Hotel. The statue of Buddha is one of the few fully intact constructions in this demolished town where a thick layer of muddy dirt covers the ground.

Destruction and death

Arugam Bay after Tsunami 2004

Soldiers look on as bulldozers shove aside trees and bricks from destroyed dwellings. The bodies of some 1,000 people – killed within a few seconds of the tsunami – have been recovered. But there are many others missing and many families who have no roofs over their heads and are in so-called ‘collection centres’.

The medical situation is critical in this isolated district, where several people are saying that they feel neglected by the authorities because Continue reading ‘Classic Dox – Adrift in Sri Lanka On air: 5 February 2010 13:20 – 1 March 2010 13:20′

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A true Paradise on Earth. Just 10m South of Arugambay

Published on 18/02/2010 in Blogs, Historical sites, Literature, Music, accomodation, guesthouse, hotels, presse-deutsch, tuk tuk and weddings. 1 Comment

The Panama beach itself was a paradise on earth.

Unspoiled Panama beach

The sand dunes stretching along the beach made us stop our jeep and walk a short distance to the turquoise sea beach which stretched endlessly without a single sign of habitation.
A typical Robinson Crusoe atmosphere.
The pink rocks of Panama stood out at the far end of the beach.
The evening sunlight made them glow pinker.

Panama Point. Looking North to Arugam Bay

Here too were monkeys running up and down.
The beach was covered with exquisite marine plant life. It suddenly dawned on us that this may be one of the only beaches left untouched by civilization and pollution.
We were mindful not to tread on the plants or drive over them in our jeep.

Untouched Panama. A true Paradise

This beach with its abundant plant life must be saved for people to see and admire.
It should not meet the fate of the Nilaveli or Passikudah.

Badly polluted Passekudah Beach area


We remembered the native American saying:
“We did not inherit the earth from our parents, we are borrowing it from our children!”

(The above is a highlighted , illustrated  extract from the previous post / traveler’s report)

Arugam Bay Developments

Published on 29/01/2010 in From our own Correspondent, Ideas, Money Matters, accomodation, front page, guesthouse, hotels and restaurants. 0 Comments

A new project is under construction near PottuVille Point.

PottuVille Point is being developed

It seems that a new hotel/restaurant is being build on this beautiful coconut estate.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, facing the Bay of Arugam.
According to local contractors and workers, #01 Stardust owners are branching out to this new location. Other say, an English family are behind this development.
Great spot! Where else on this island could such a fine, unspoiled location be found?

AbaY Hotel nominated for Best of British Award

Published on 07/01/2010 in Blogs, Culture, Environmental, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Ideas, Music, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, bars, front page, guesthouse, hotels, parties, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch and restaurants. 11 Comments

Nominated for the Best of British Award by the Daily Telegraph, London

The SVH on the Surfer’s Bay of Arugam. Established 1977 by a devout CAMRA member. The “Siam View” is still run by the same Manx expat and his family to this day. Despite the 30 war years and 2004 Tsunami this place never once closed its doors for even one single day. Home of more than a dozen all natural draft beers. Continue reading ‘AbaY Hotel nominated for Best of British Award’

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7 Star Hotel for Arugam Bay planned?

Published on 22/09/2009 in Money Matters, accomodation, hotels, people and press coverage. 7 Comments
By Dhananjani Silva
The dawn of peace in the north east region has given people an opportunity to freely move around in these once war- ravaged parts of the island.

“With the end of war, a major change in tourism will take place. There will be a natural influx of people to the country and Sri Lanka will not only become a tourist destination but it will be a place, for instance, like Hawaii or Penang island where people will come and build houses or have apartments,” said Prasanna W. Jayewardene, a pioneer in the hotel industry. One of his latest initiatives is a massive hotel development project islandwide including in the north and east.

Turnaround City Hotel

Elaborating on his plans, Mr. Jayewardene who is campaigning to ‘rediscover’ the country’s potential to attract 10 million tourists annually within the next 10 years said his mission is to facilitate the building of 10,000 rooms. Under this, he said, a number of hotels and sites will be developed and either sold or operated at different stages. However, the main hotel ‘Mudliar’ in Kalpitiya which has 2050 rooms will be retained. “We won’t sell this as we want this to be our icon,” he said.

Under this project a mixture of both mega as well as small individual projects will be launched in different parts of the island. From small hotels of 10 rooms to large hotels with over 1000 rooms, each will have a different name and concept, Mr. Jayewardene explained.

Turnaround City Hotel, a five star hotel with 50 rooms in Kilinochchi, the five star Sun Ocean in Mullaitivu with 25 rooms, Golden Sands hotel and Turquoise hotel in Trincomalee with 25 rooms each, Whale Watch in Trincomalee with its 25 luxury suites, Rising Sun Beach hotel with its 10 rooms in Batticaloa are some of the hotel projects to be launched in the north and east. The five-star Peninsula, a 50-room city hotel project with full conference facilities in the heart of Jaffna town, will be an ideal meeting place for business people, aid workers and officials, Mr. Jayewardene said. The architects will include many of those who worked on the Elephant Corridor project.

Prasanna Jayewardene

Also planned are four seven star hotels, in Yala, Trincomalee, Arugambay and Kandy designed exclusively with an up-market international hotel operator, said Mr. Jayewardene who was also the founder and the developer of Elephant Corridor.

According to Mr. Jayewardene, lands for the hotels have been identified and the projects are now in the development stage. Since each project has a different concept they have to be developed individually he said.

Emphasizing that at every stage, Sri Lankans will benefit from this project Mr. Jayewardene said it will give an opportunity for Sri Lankan professionals living abroad to come home and provide their expertise towards the projects.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090920/Plus/plus_20.html