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Archive for the 'restaurants' Category
Arugam's second 'Tsunami'
….. several illegal constructions in Arugam Bay were demolished last week……
Illegal constructions out in coastal belt
Disna Mudalige
* More powers to CCD by new law
*Demolition costs to be recovered from offenders
The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) has decided to take strict action against illegal constructions in the coastal belt using the new powers vested in it under the amended Coastal Conservation Act approved by Parliament recently.
CCD Director General Anil Premaratne told the Daily News that court cases will be filed against owners of these illegal buildings and a fine not less than Rs 5,000 and not more than Rs 25,000 will be imposed on them at the first conviction.
He said that if the offenders who maintain the illegal constructions continue the same offence disregarding the court decision, the amended Act has the provisions to impose a fine not less than Rs 1,000 and not more than Rs 5,000 per day on them.
He said that unauthorized constructions in the coastal belt have resulted in accelerated coastal erosion and pollution and therefore the CCD has decided to strictly implement these laws.
Premaratne said that the unauthorized buildings which are built very close to the sea will be demolished and the expenses spent on them will be recovered from the offenders. He said that several illegal constructions in Arugam Bay were demolished last week and this process will also be carried out in other coastal areas.
He observed that the coastal stretch in the Southern Province comprises the majority of illegal constructions.
He also explained that legal action will also be sought for the illegal fillings of water bodies and sand mining. The amended Act has also made provisions to arrest an offender without a warrant for violating its laws and regulations aiming for an efficient coastal conservation and coastal resource management.
source:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/10/26/news26.asp
Link to Facebook page “Save Arugam Bay”:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003041452272&ref=ts
…..” Then he told me about a strange building above the bay called ‘the castle’:
‘It’s thirty years old – very old.
It was made by an English guy called Richard” …..
Arugam Bay and the surf point
Arugam Bay has been known as a top surfing area for many years now. During the season, from about May to November, it is easily the most popular destination for foreign visitors to the east coast. It’s a working fishing beach and there is quite a lot of rubbish on the sands, compared with the southern beaches, and is perhaps not the best place to come just for a beach holiday: most foreigners I met were there for the surfing. Many locals want to clean up the beach, however – see below – so this may change. For now it’s still very pretty, and quiet, if you want a place to gather your thoughts, and you can visit nearby mangroves on Pottuvil lagoon, or go to Kudimbigala Forest Hermitage to see Buddhist shrines. The Lahugala-Kitulana National Park is 16km inland from Pottuvil and large herds of elephants move there during the dry season (July and August).
Fishermen on Arugam Bay
The road from Arugam Bay is now completely open so you can travel south to Okanda and visit Yala East National Park. This park was Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay and the Arugam Bay Surf Club’
(2)….. Curiously Lahugala has no boundary fences or entrance fees allowing visitors to simply stroll into the park at will whilst elephants stroll right through the little hamlets and villages at its boarder and are often seen roaming around Arugam Bay at dusk…..
A Stay in the Bay
Posted on July 3, 2011 by tolivingdreams
The ride to Arugam Bay is not without incident; a few minutes in to the journey we narrowly avoid colliding with a rather large lorry, sending our hearts racing and our stomachs reeling! As we descend down the winding road to the plains below the landscape changes from lush jungle to dry bush and the roads become heavily potholed; an hour in and there’s a large bang- a flat tyre- so we pull over and Polly replaces the wheel while driver and Sam lift the tuk-tuk. We’re soon driving through the ‘Elephant Corridor’, a long straight road that cuts through the wilderness of Lahugala National Park, and sure enough, to our amazement, we spot a herd of wild elephants Continue reading ‘Living Dreams’
Samanthi . . . . Sri Lanka's most beautiful Chef
After all these years of travelling to Sri Lanka, and living for months in Arugam Bay, i have failed to hail the unsung hero’s and heroin’s of this tropical isle. So, i’m going to start with the one person that provides me with all the fuel i need to surf! Samanthi is affectionately known as ‘Number 1 sister’. I have known Samanthi and her family for the past 6 years. She and her sister, Erandathi, were the teachers at the Pre-School, near the Buddhist Temple, at the south end of the village. Samanthi and her family have fed and watered me over this time. They have even tolerated me living in their cabanas and at times the castle. I have to surf and go fishing to prevent the weight piling on! The problem is the food! Samanthi’s cooking is the best. It is not only the Rice n Curries that she serves up, but the cakes, pizzas, desserts and short eats. I never come home to Devon lighter than when i went out. Samanthi heads a team of sisters in the kitchen. She is up and starting the kitchen duties at six every morning, and regularly works through until midnight during the tourist season. Way back, when i first arrived, it was Amma doing the cooking, and forever supplying me and the brothers with Tea. Now it is Samanthi, with the assistance of younger sisters Gayani and Ruwanthi, and cousins Geeva and Sudu. There is a constant call for me to come and eat from the kitchen, and if i miss a meal, it is always waiting there for my return. Not only is Samanthi an awesome cook, but she is also beautiful. Be warned though! She has four protective brothers, a father, and a brother in law!
Samanthi
source:
http://www.paddle4relief.co.uk/blog/index.php?s=arugam&searchbutton=Go!
Be FREE @ Arugam Bay !
- Arugam Bay “Freedom Beach” Cabanas
These family run cabanas have recently been refurbished. They are sporting new tiled bathrooms, ceilings, mosquito nets and verandas. The garden now has grass and feels so good underfoot.
Come and enjoy a touch of family life in Arugam Bay. Beautiful home cooked traditional Sri Lankan food as well as western dishes for those desiring a touch of home. Sunday Roast on request. Party BBQ’s and Buffet Dinners for those wishing to celebrate a special occasion. Birthday Cakes made to order.
The family also provide Tuk Tuk Hire, Taxi Bookings, Wildlife Safari’s, Boat Trips, Surf Lessons and Surfboard Hire. This is truely a family run business by one of the original families from Arugam Bay. So remember Freedom Beach Cabanas, Samanthi’s Restaurant and Thaththa’s Tea Shop for all your holiday needs in Arugam Bay.
Email – FreedomBeachCabanas@hotmail.co.uk or
FreedomBeachCabanas@gmail.com
source:
http://www.paddle4relief.co.uk/blog/index.php?s=Arugam+Bay&searchbutton=Go!
(0)
An Arugam Bay Fish B4
An early morning fishing session in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka, saw this beautifully marked Rock Fish come to the Dinner table @ Samanthi’s Restaurant. The fish was caught on a jointed plug that has proven to be successful in the coastal waters in Devon.
The fish had already escaped once, having broken the 4kg breaking strain line following a series of powerful dives into the sharp reef. Unfortunately for the big mouthed greedy fish, it chose to go for a second plug that had been quickly tied to the main line, this time with a short 70lb leader, and cast out into the same spot.
It not only looked beautiful but tasted fantastic. Samanthi’s Restaurant can be found next to Freedom Cabanas at the southern corner of Arugam Bay, only a very short walk to the highly prized right hand point break.
An Arugam Bay Fish. There after
source:
http://www.paddle4relief.co.uk/blog/index.php?s=arugam&searchbutton=Go!
(0)- Land of the Lotus Eaters
Arugam Bay is the amalgamation of the Tamil word for six – Aru and the Sinhala word for village – gam. Juliet Coombe discovered the area has a lot more on offer than surf, sand and sea, when travelling with 2nd Partner – a tour company with a difference.
Arugam Bay is a long way from everything, and in the early years when there was no bridge to the area, this was part of the attraction to the ‘real’ adventure traveller, who discovered this spot of the island in the 1970s. Known for its love gurus, nude bathing and nirvana lifestyle it fast became the spot to surf the waves by day, and the area by night looking for fun times. However, today, this ‘Shangri la,’ tipped to be the next best thing is a rather sad strip of hotels and restaurants that makes Hikkaduwa in comparison look like the South of France. The food is at best terrible, and the only place worth hanging out in is Siam, according to the first film crew, SBS from Australia who have just been filming My Sri Lanka with world famous chef Peter Kurivitas. They are the first crew to go through the area in 30 years and only Siam was worth eating at, where a dude called DJ Nihal calls the shots and the food is the best on the strip. Not really on the surface worth an eight to 10 hour trip from Colombo depending on the weather and traffic conditions.
However step out of this artificial boomtown and discover amazing places like Kudumbigala Monastery (11 miles from Panama), which is the only cylindrical stupa in Sri Lanka. Surrounded by 200 caves in the area that used to be used by monks, they have paintings older than the ones of the girls painted on the Sigriya rock Fortress palace. Appu Hami, a 64-year-old village elder, held in high esteem and the best jungle guide in the area comes from Panama, which dates back as a settlement to 1818. His face is a gnarled as the trees from the jungle, eyes as sharp as a hawk’s, and has a lifetime of stories to tell.
Appu Hami – a legend
in Arugam Bay Appu Hami advocates that before any trek you should eat well from the local indigenous vegetables which include seven different types of yams and two types of Lotus plants which are pulled by the roots from the lakes, famed for their beautiful water lilies. Lotus eating is good for the heart, blood sugar (diabetes) and other things that he says, brings a sparkle to one’s eyes. It seems women also mix the lotus seeds together and make facial scrubs and the pulled up flowers are used as offerings at the Buddhist temples.
The lakes have always been fished in and this is how the people of the Bay discovered the benefits of the Lotus. Until the 1960s no money exchanged hands, and the community-bartered goods instead, and everyone was much better off. The average wages were only Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay and beyond’
Are you an avid surfer?
If so, you may instantly recognize the name Arugam Bay. Even if you are not, you may be interested to learn more about this popular tourist attraction.
- The Surf Boards can be rented at many outlets at Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a sleepy little hamlet 320 km due east of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city and is ranked among the top ten surf destinations in the world. In this article I am going to tell you 5 good reasons you should make a visit to Arugam Bay.
Arugam Bay is not your typical surf destination with modern facilities. It is more a community based destination, where little guest houses and the odd star rated hotel lie side by side. This does not make it any less attractive to regular visitors who make repeat visits every year. Although this destination was devastated by the 2004 tsunami and the conflict, the enterprising community of Arugam Bay have brought the destination back to its old glory.
- Brilliant roads. by Maga, Photo by: Lovely Arugam Bay on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=108552872497906
Much improved roads, which have reduced travel times by almost an hour and a half and the return of peace has made Arugam Bay a destination you should not miss visiting.+
Here are the top 5 reasons to visit Arugam Bay:
- It is the third highest ranked among the world’s top ten surfing destinations. So, if you are a surfing enthusiast or are interested in learning to surf this is just the location for you. You need not even bring your gear along, as you can hire surfing gear from local outfits, who also provide training for newbie surfers. It boasts of over 10 surf points and the waves are great between April and October and it also is the scene for local and international surfing competitions staged during this period.
10 Surf Spots. Ideal for beginners. And professionals
- During November to April the sea is fine for swimming and snorkeling and conditions are just right if you are looking for a quiet get- away. The prices for accommodation can get pretty low and you can find a pretty decent room with basic facilities for around $15 per night.
Romantic Bungalows. To suit all budgets. Here is one of "Hideaways" best
- If you are a wild life enthusiast your excellent wild life sanctuaries are just minutes away from this destination. The Lahugala sanctuary famous for elephants is not more than a 20 minute drive from here. You may even pass some of these majestic beasts if en-route if you take the inland route to arrive here. The Kumana bird sanctuary lies just 10km south of Arugam Bay and birds from as far as Siberia are known to migrate to this location to escape winter.
Truly Free & Wild Elephants. Right next to the road. No fence!
- The sand dunes at Panama allow you to wander around an unspoilt stretch of land, and even go on a jeep safari to the dunes. The Pottuvil dunes are much closer, but it is situated in the midst of a busy little town, but none the less attractive in its own little way.
A shephard cowboy in the Panama dunes or the Wild East
- The area close to Arugam Bay also boasts a host of ancient monuments. The Kudumbigala archeological reserve is host to monastic caves dating from around the 12th Century AD. The ancient Okanda temple dedicated lord Skanda situated on a rocky outcrop south of Arugam Bay is believed to be featured in “Sinbad the Sailor’s tales”. Monuments related to the Southern kingdom of Magama almost a thousand years old are found in Pottuvil town, by the dunes and within the Lahugala sanctuary. They are said to be built to honour the mother of the warrior king Dutugemunu of the Anradhapura kingdom.
Ancient Temples and shrines. Adore the area all around Arugam Bay
The attractions of Arugam Bay are so, numerous and cater to visitors with different interests. It is just amazing that so many attractions should lie so close together. Coupled with the extremely friendly service by the villagers who run the facilities, I would strongly recommend that you visit here especially if you are on a tight budget.
- Friendly local management (Of the SVH and Hideaway shown here)
AUGAM BAY IS AN ALL YEAR ROUND DESTINATION.
With the best and most predictable climate in Asia!
The only dry and sunny place on the island this entire November 2010
A typical winter in Arugam Bay
http://ezinearticles.com/?Arugambay—5-Reasons-To-Visit-Arugambay-Surfers-Paradise&id=5523244
(3)Arugam Bay – a true, unspoiled Beach Paradise
beach life Arugam Bay
Hello from Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.
I’ve spent the last few days enjoying all that Sri Lanka has to offer; predominantly the beach, exquisite cuisine and personalities of the local people. Sri Lanka is an interesting place, with the 25 year civil war ending just ~1 year ago, I am curious what this place will look like in 5-10 years if the peace persists.
beach hut paradise
Arugam Bay is located near the “line” where freedom and fighting was. As a result it did not have many NGO’s help after the devastating tsunami of 2004 for safety concerns. High season has not started yet and you really get a good idea of what life is like here, if one were to live in this laid-back country of ~21 million people.
beach paradise arugam bay
There are few restaurants, hotels and of course, the ever present tuk tuk drivers. To get here one must take a tuk tuk from the bus station in Pottuvil. In the last few days, could count the other tourists seen on one hand. The beach is basically ours, shared with Continue reading ‘Finding Beach Paradise in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’
(1)It may be a sleepy village but Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka is a great place to get some winter sun and hit the surf.
Arugam is also a traditional fishing Bay
You must move, it will charge,’ shouts a tuk-tuk driver as the elephant goes out of view to my right. Besides the threat of stampeding wild elephants, there’s a lot to take in on the A4 to Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s war-torn, tsunami-battered east coast. The road itself is being rebuilt and a hangover from 25 years of the civil war, which ended last May, means every road in the country is peppered with military outposts, roadblocks and army personnel.
- Sri Lanka’s best Surf spot. Is Arugam Bay
But Arugam Bay is shining a light for better things to come on the country’s untouched east coast. The colourful jumble of guest houses, cabanas and shops have been built and rebuilt. The slogans on some T-shirts state ‘The Birth Of A Surfing Nation’ but any Aussie surfer will tell you this point break has been a boarder mecca for years. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay: Riding High on waves to Recovery’
(0)Sripala’ s Place is one of the most original and oldest establishment of Arugam Bay.
They are situated near famous Surf Point for many years.
Sripala & Family, at Arugam Bay
Arugam.info has just been notified of a legal case to relocate them.
As soon as we receive confirmation and further information, details will be published here.
For now, please send us your old memories so that we can add them to our “Old Arugam” section. To document the Bay’s history.
Send them to: arugam.info@gmail.com
And all will be published here:
http://www.arugam.info/old-arugam/
Tsunami Scars and Wounds
We awoke in our cabana on our first full day in Arugam Bay. No conventional windows in our nest on stilts—just large drop-down and lift-up shutters that open unglazed sea-view portals allowing balmy tropical breezes to flow unimpeded through the large room.
Arugam Bay. Beach. Not exactly overcrowded
Clapboard–gapped in places–provided rudimentary walls that did little to stifle the predominant thunder of the breakers below. I was the one who had the pleasure of opening up the room on our first morning and looked out across this beautiful bay in brilliant morning light, amplified in the golden sand receiving the white surf to the whitely, lightly hazed horizon, all under the bluest sky. Topical birds with colourful sounds sang pagan matins from the palms around the exquisite, but rather neglected grounds—for here, as it would become apparent in the rest of Arugam Bay, motivation seems to be still floundering in currents of hopelessness left over from ebb and flow of conflict and tsunami floods. After our small dinner of cold vegetable rotis from the previous night, we were very hungry for breakfast; so after dressing and a quick visit to the water’s edge to anoint each other with the waters of the Indian Ocean, we headed out to the main road where we hoped that our experience of unmotivated food vendors of the night before would look like something different in the morning light View From Our Room at Rock View
View from Rockview guesthouse
View From Our Room at Rock View
. We were surprised to find little change. One rather busy place seemed to have its clientele, but refused to tell us their prices for food until it had been checked out along a chain of people into the dark inside. We were invited to enter with no answers provided, until our insistence brought an answer Continue reading ‘Canadian Visitors view of Arugam Bay’
Wasantha RAMANAYAKE
The Supreme Court yesterday granted the Attorney General time to obtain instructions in respect of the rights application filed against the bulldozing of two buildings belonging to the Arugambay Samabodhi Viharaya.
Senior State Counsel Lakmali Karunanayake appearing for the Attorney General moved for time to get instructions in respect of the application.
The Court accordingly fixed the case for September 9. The Bench comprised Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice K Sripavan and Justice RKS Sureshchandra. Petitioner, Samabodhi Viharaya Chief Prelate Ven. Sivuralumulle Dhammasiri Thera complained to Court that the illegal demolition of the temple was in violation of his rights as well as that of Buddhists in the area.
The petitioner sought the Supreme Court to order the respondents to rebuild the destroyed buildings or in the alternative to order for compensation in Rs. 80 million. Continue reading ‘Viharaya bulldozing case fixed for Sept 9′
Over the last weekend I visited the Eastern Province with a group of friends. Having left Colombo at 4.00 in the morning, after almost a seven hour journey, we reached our destination; Arugam Bay.
"Arugam Bay"
By Kanchana Ratwatte
The closest access to this much sought-after surfing beach of Sri Lanka is via Ratnapura, Uda Walawe, Wellawaya, Monaragala, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil. While on the way, passing Uda Walawe and Lahugala, we did see quite a few elephants. The road network as in the case of all main roads in the Eastern Province, was well laid out with a new carpet and the drive was one great experience.
As we entered the bustling township, the first observation was the number of tourists that had gathered for the internationally publicized surfing festival which had concluded the previous weekend. Continue reading ‘Kebilitta, Arugam Bay And Kumana’
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