spotted on YouTube today.
Note:
This business is not functioning now, March, 2010
Archive for the 'people' Category
The German tourists can now visit tourist landmarks in the Eastern Province such as Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara and Arugam Bay as Germany has eased its travel advisory further.
German Ambassador Jens Ploetner, just back from an Eastern tour of tour states that the East has its own charm and has vast tourist potential yet to be tapped.
German Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Herr Jens Ploetner
“Following extensive travel in the Eastern Province we have discovered that no specific security threat exists for tourists anymore,” he commented and added that he witnessed large-scale ongoing infrastructure development work. However, the economic conditions of many residents especially of former IDPs still remain bleak, Ambassador Ploetner stated.
“I hope development of tourist-industry in the Province will create new job opportunities substantially.”
Making an observation of the overall increase of foreign travel to Sri Lanka Ambassador Ploetner said “the numbers of German tourists have increased over 50 percent in comparison with last year. This no doubt is due to the dawn of peace. I am hopeful that Sri Lanka could once again be a prime destination for German tourists.”
source:
published (again??) in the USA on 15the March, 2010:
Oprah and the Obamas
Oprah Winfrey has hired a organisation of ex-Marines to poke for “Oprah” unchanging Nate Berkus’ friend, Fernando Bengoechea, who was swept divided in a Dec. twenty-six tsunami.
Nate Berkus and Oprah Winfrey
According to “Extra,” a group of former Marines will transport to a review locale of Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka, where Berkus as well as Bengoechea were vacationing when a tsunami hit.
Fernando Bengoechea
Berkus reportedly met a ex-Marines as well as gave them details, together with Bengoechea’s expect place when a tsunami hit.
Harpo Productions, Winfrey’s prolongation company, additionally skeleton to send a writer to stick upon Berkus in Arugam Bay, according to “Extra” — heading to conjecture which Winfrey will underline a little aspect of a poke as well as tsunami upon an arriving part of “Oprah.
Berkus, a Chicago-based interior designer, has appeared often upon “Oprah” as well as has written interiors for Barneys New York, W Hotels as well as alternative high-end establishments
A Harpo mouthpiece pronounced she couldn’t endorse a “Extra” story.
http://www.myspeedgo.com/news/oprah-hires-troops-for-sri-lanka-hunt/
(www.arugam.info carried this story 5+ years ago. Use our “search” facility on this site if you wish to look it up)
– Majority of the world, especially the West got to know about Arugam Bay, only after the 2004 tsunami.
Arugam Bay 'City' Centre and view to Main Surf Point
There was a moving episode on America’s most-popular talk show, the Oprah Winfrey Show where a tsunami survivor Nate Berkus was interviewed. The Chicago-based interior designer Nate Berkus related his story on television about his vacation going awry. He was relaxing at a beach cottage in Arugam Bay with his partner photographer Fernando Bengoechea, when the deadly tsunami struck. Even though Nate was spared, unfortunately, Fernando’s life wasn’t. Continue reading ‘How the world knew Arugam Bay.’
By Bernard Goonetilleke
…..go to Arugam Bay in the east, for an experience of a lifetime in surfing……
Bernard Goonetilleke
Sri Lanka Tourism declared 2011 as ‘Visit Sri Lanka Year,’ in June last year. Former Tourism Minister, Milinda Moragoda, took this forward-looking decision, well before Sri Lanka’s return to normalcy following the end of the decades-long armed conflict in mid May 2009. That decision was a calculated one, and certainly was not based on flimsy anticipation of changes to occur, for the minister fully recognized the difficult ground situation during the first quarter of 2009 resulting from the world economic crisis. But, for him, the need to revive Sri Lanka’s long-suffering tourist industry, hamstrung by the conflict, was of highest priority. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay Tourism in Transition’
A touch of class
spotted on Earthcape. Text shown: near Wattegama, Sri Lanka by User_382562
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’
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′
Thank you, Horst & Tina! Arugam Bay’s German supporters.
Also a special Thank you!
To all the contributing photographers!
The nineth in a series entitled ‘Scribblings from the Surf’ for Devon Life. To read the article see the text below or click to enlarge the pictures of the original article below that. To see the whole series, click here.
SURFERS SAVING THE WORLD
Barrister and writer Tim Kevan meets two surfers helping to save the world.
Many people might have the impression of the standard surfer as a flaky, spaced out Californian dude who doesn’t actually get much done other than stare out to sea and catch the odd wave. But that image couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to those who surf the English waters since you’ve got to have just a modicum of fortitude just to paddle out in freezing mid-Winter swell. Such strength of character also comes through in the activities that many surfers get up to out of the water as well. Two such surfers who are inspiring others are aid worker Tim Tanton and environmentalist Mikey Corker.
Paddle4Relief UK
Tim Tanton: The Aid Worker
When the terrible tsunami hit on Boxing Day 2004 the world mourned. But for Braunton’s Tim Tanton who had been surfing in Sri Lanka since the mid-1990s the tragedy was closer to home as he had friends out there who lost family members, homes and businesses. He visited three times in the following year in an effort to help the local community next to one of the area’s famous surf spots of Arugam Bay. During the same year Tim and local paramedic and surfer Paul Martin conceived the idea of Paddle4Relief (www.paddle4relief.co.uk), a fundraising body which would provide a bridge between English surfers wanting to help in some way and the disaster’s victims. Continue reading ‘‘Scribblings from the Surf’ – : Surfers Saving the World’
Sun Rise at Arugam Bay
This picture was taken last year and it was in my gallery for sometime. Yet, I am posting it here. As my friend, Fred always says, there is no better place to enjoy the splendor of Indian Ocean than Arugam Bay, one of the best surfing spots in the world!
We camped on the beach and were up from 4.30am to see the amazing sight of sunrise. As soon as I woke up, I took above picture from the tent. By that time, my friends were already busy taking pictures!
http://kirigalpoththa.blogspot.com/2010/02/wake-up-to-arugam-bay-sun.html
Kite Surf Sri Lanka writes, in his blog and on his web site:
Master Dilsiri in action
Been on this island for 28 years and have travelled a lot but Arugam Bay still remains the best and most exciting place on this island paradise.
Jungle beaches with amazing breaks, winds in the afternoon for some kitesurfing amongst the surfers, the crocodiles and ruines, nights under the stars and food….oh, how I long to head to Arugam Bay again.
Arugam Bay,
That’s where I want to be
Arugam Bay.
That’s where I want to stay
Kite Surfing. A great sport and play with elements and nature
http://kitesurfsrilanka.blogspot.com/2010/02/oh-how-i-long-to-head-to-arugam-bay.html
Muhudu Maha Viharaya – PottuVille/ Arugambay
From Arugam bay to the pristine beaches of Panama
Sleepy lagoons, sand dunes
It took almost eleven hours from Colombo to Pottuvil on the narrow and winding A4 road along the south east coastline of Sri Lanka.
Muhudu Maha Viharaya - Arugambay/PottuVille
There were four of us; my husband and two of our friends. So far it had been a eventful day. We had watched the antics of a herd of elephants at the Lahugala sanctuary and had stopped to wonder at the historic ruins of the Magul Maha Vihara complex.
As we were approaching Pottuvil, the narrow road cut through acres of luxuriously green paddy fields. A milk white dagoba stood out over the fields framed by coconut and palmyrah trees. At the point at which we turned south towards Arugam bay was a small Catholic church dedicated to St. Anthony.
Our destination was Arugam Bay, a further 2.5kms south of Pottuvil.
Around Arugam Bay & PottoVille
We crossed the bridge over the wide lagoon of Arugam Kalapu. The roadside was dotted with hotels, guest houses, restaurants and may have resembled the southern beach line in its early days before tourism became an industry at the cost of the environment and the village culture.
Arugam bay is known as one of the best surf points in the world, popular for its challenging breaker laden waves. It may be one of the only unspoilt beaches in Sri Lanka.
Arugam bay consists of three small villages where fishing and farming are the main occupations. Ullae is a fishing village situated at the corner of the bay Continue reading ‘Arugambay: Like a Southern beach in its Early day’
ArugAmBay credits to: Six Surf, UK
http://rollingsixes.co.uk/sixsurf/?p=1412
Chamikara WEERASINGHE
The Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka’s best santuary for bird watching, was re-opened last week after a prolonged closure.
Kumana villu - natural swamp lake
The Park was closed due to LTTE terrorist problems from 1985. Located in the the country’s southern east corner, the Kumana park came to have been affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. It was closed for public view again from 2006 with the government launching its humanitarian operations in the country’s North and East to liberate the country from clutches of terrorism.
With the Government liberating the country last year, the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry is rapidly establishing its control in the country’s game parks. The Ministry opened Yala National Park in the last year.
In search of migratory access and grazing rights
Minister Champika Ranawaka said, they will have opened all the 20 national parks in the country by the first half of this year. He said, clearing of Continue reading ‘Kumana National (nr. Arugambay) opens for tourists’
We’ve found it! Here it is!
Found it! The M.P. "Holy Grail"
A Green and Happy place on Earth.
A true, unspoiled ecological sanctuary.
Just North of famous PANAMA!
A place where Green issues still count
A place with zero Carbon emissions
A place of unique Biological diversity
A place for tolerance of social divisions
A place with strong social networks of friends, families and neighbours
“A place where people say they have a simpler, less materialistic life, more in tune with nature.”
Could this paradise be Arugam Bay?
Too good to be true….
Because this place also is:
- A place where Money is poured into books and education. Not Bullets
- A place with Fair and peaceful Presidential Elections
- A place with no Army at all. Ever since 1949
- And, perhaps best of all: A forgiving place where….
- ….A popular piece of philosophy… says:
- “No argument or quarrel should last more than three days”
Here the 6th Parallel seems to end ;-(
What is the BBC talking about, if not Sri Lanka and the peaceful East?
Here is the answer, and perhaps also a model for all of us: Continue reading ‘6° 50′ 60 n of Panama: And on a Parallel with Arugam’
Arugam Forum
Arugam Photo Galleries on Picasa
Old Website
Press Coverage
Surf Forecast for Arugam Bay
ALIYA Wildlife Project
TODAY’s Comments