Tag Archive for 'Arugam'

Adopt an AbaY dog

Published on 10/01/2012 in Ideas, front page, people, press coverage, the bay and wild life. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

At remote Arugam Bay, a few hundred homeless dogs are waiting to be adopted by caring animal lovers. Please help to save them.

Adopt an Arugam Bay dog !

A sponsor has already been found to provided a suitable, safe  vehicle.
To take them to Colombo or elsewhere on the island.
All animals will be collected, fed, treated and transported with the outmost care & respect
All the Community needs is an address to deliver them to.
Please, animal Lovers:
Please do come forward and let us know where to send them to.
Before even more are run over by speeding and careless drivers on our new fast roads!
The Social Networks are buzzing.
With appeals and online petitions to stop a rumored animal cull.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-sri-lankan-government-from-killing-millions-of-stray-dogs/


We support this initiative!
But. What to do?
At Arugam Bay four costly  sterilization programs have been carried out, since the 2004 Tsunami.
In our  remote Bay residents and visitors are unsure if any success can be reported.
Many people are simply too scared to walk on the beach or indeed the road, specially at night. Due to large packs of hungry dogs around.
Below is a copy of one of the stories we covered 5 years ago.
The writer of this article has personally observed that one  particular, disabled bitch alone has had a litter every year since and produced 60 or so pups, most of which appear to be unwell or/and  mentally unstable …..
Something has to be done – This situation is out of control.

The article below was first published 6th Marc, 2007:
The Tsunami Animal People Alliance (TAPA) has, in the true sense of the word: emBarked on a dog sterilization program at Arugam Bay.
Operation Theater
Vets at work @ SVH
In total 300 – 400 dogs are being treated locally.
Arugam.info is informed that about 10,000 have been spayed island wide already.
It is said to be the best and most humane method of controlling stray and infected animals.
The visiting, all Sri Lankan team consists of 4 qualified vets and 7 assistants, a van, and a mobile clinic.
Arugam.info is informed that a budget of 18$/dog has been secured by foreign donors, most of which (10$) will be used for quality drugs and medicines.
Take a look at the work in the attached photo album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/arugamsurf/TAPAAtAbaY
Their web site is:
www.Tsunami-Animal.org.
A FaQ is posted as Comment below.

AbaY TAPA at SVH compound

Badulla-Arugam Bay

Published on 28/07/2011 in Blogs, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, front page and guesthouse. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

…..Finally we reached Arugam Bay, a beachfront collections of shacks and hotels, stretching around the bay……

….Apparently, after dusk the road to Arugam bay becomes chock-a-block with insomniac elephants who decide to wander the roads. Hence, travelling there is dangerous…..

"Watermusic" @ Arugam Bay

Part 1: They Mostly Come Out At Night, Mostly

We strode out of Badulla station, and I was still for pushing on right through to Arugam Bay.

There was a solitary minibus tout and he offered to drive us for $50. Each.

Llyw quickly shot this down, at which point the fella, who exuded dodginess from every pore, explained why a night time voyage was so expensive-

Nocturnal elephants.

Apparently, after dusk the road to Arugam bay becomes chock-a-block with insomniac elephants who decide to wander the roads. Hence, travelling there is dangerous. Continue reading ‘Badulla-Arugam Bay’

Tourism at Arugam Bay should be sustainable

Published on 22/05/2011 in accomodation, front page, guesthouse, hotels and press coverage. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

By Gamini WARUSHAMANA

The surfing season in Arugam Bay starts in May and the thousands of people who are dependant on the tourism industry in this Eastern coastal village in Sri Lanka eagerly await the arrival of the highest number of tourists this year. The tourism industry in the country is booming after the end of terrorism in 2009 and Arugam Bay is now ready to regain its full potential.

Arugam Bay is one of the world’s top 10 surf locations, known for its fantastic waves, which attract surfers from all over the world. The best time for surfing here is between May and November when strong winds are offshore for at least the first half of the day.

There are only a few tourists at Arugam Bay

However, some small scale hoteliers, tour guides and shop owners are disappointed because still there are only a few tourists at Arugam Bay. Continue reading ‘Tourism at Arugam Bay should be sustainable’

Arugam Bay Freedom

Published on 19/05/2011 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, accomodation, front page, guesthouse and restaurants. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

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!

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Arugam Bay and beyond

Published on 10/05/2011 in Blogs, Culture, Historical sites, front page, people, press coverage, restaurants, the bay and wild life. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

- 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’

Protected: Surfing Mag (June2011) on Abay

Published on 06/05/2011 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Money Matters, Security & Safety, Surf Federation News, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, bars, front page, hotels, press coverage, restaurants, services, shops, surf and the bay. Enter your password to view comments. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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Arugam Bay: A Surfing Adventure

Published on 04/04/2011 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Kitesurf, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, Wind Surf, front page, surf and the bay. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Sri Lanka is still one of the surfing world’s secret gems, discovered by a few lucky ones who return year after year to enjoy the tropical waters, fun waves and diverse cultural experiences the country has to offer.

arugam.info reporting directly from the Bay. Since 1997

Yet to the majority of the worlds’ travel addicted surfing community it has been overlooked as a surf travel destination. The local surfing community and exposure of Sri Lanka as a surfing holiday destination are in their infancy, but this trend is rapidly changing as more and more surfing travellers experience the beauty and adventure Sri Lanka has to offer and share their stories about this once forgotten paradise with the world.

Arugam Bay: A Surfer’s heaven

Every year between April and October, storms from below South Africa, whip the ocean into a frenzy and send large, consistent swells up the length of the Indian Ocean and into the coastline of Sri Lanka. The storms are usually located thousands of kilometres away, so that by the time the swells reach Sri Lanka, they are perfectly groomed ground swells that wrap their way around the southern and eastern sides of the island. During the surf season it is not unusual to encounter at least one solid ground swell every single week and with the prevailing wind coming from the west, the majority of the southeast and eastern coasts of Sri Lanka are protected from the wind offering hundreds of uncrowded and sometimes even undiscovered locations to surf. Breaks range from gentle beach breaks, reef breaks and sandy bottomed point breaks, catering for every type of surfer from the complete novice, up to the experienced professional.

Pro Training Session ;-)

Arugam Bay or A-Bay as it is predominantly known is the hub of the Sri Lankan Surfing community, with the entire village set up to handle surfing tourists, with a huge range of accommodation and eating options. Unlike many surfing destinations which cater for only the hard core surfer and his or her desire to spend 10 hours a day catching waves over sharp shallow reefs, Arugam Bay and all of the Sri Lankan surfing destinations are the perfect place to take your girlfriend or the family. While they enjoy swimming in the protected turquoise waters of the bay, you can slip out to the point to surf perfect uncrowded waves for the morning. Once surfing is over there are so many adventures and places to explore only a short tuk tuk ride away.

Surfing: A sport for all, young, old and any gender

Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay: A Surfing Adventure’

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Arugam’s Ganja Monkies nabbed

Published on 31/03/2011 in front page. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

After the end of the war, long existing laws are now strictly enforced at remote Arugam Bay.


The East Coast has been largely left alone.
For many years.
With still no wine or liquor store for miles around, and the odd shortage of “Gold Leaf” some desperate residents and visitors turned to natural marihuana consumption.  Sadly, tame as well as some wild monkeys also got the taste and enjoyed the weird feeling.

Arugam Bay Special Narcotics squad arrested 4 addicts last night

NABBED! Continue reading ‘Arugam’s Ganja Monkies nabbed’

Arugam.info Milestones & Statistics

Published on 25/03/2011 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, Ideas, front page and services. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

Arugam’s 2011 season is going  to be a blast!
Just a few more days before High Season starts.

On this occasion, below are a few facts & figures.

Arugam.info web Mistress informs

Arugam.info
Is perhaps Sri Lanka’s oldest web site.
We have been on line for more than 15 years – well before anyone else know what Internet was and what it can do  – here on this island.

Now we are well connected and teamed up with all modern social networking sites.

We have embraced Facebook, Twitter and YouTube a long time ago.
Because all of them offered totally free services to promote our remote little Bay.

We are happy to publish  the following facts:

  • 200,707 Visitors to this site (since 2010) on Arugam.info
  • 100 registered readers (guys who get a short summary into their email)
  • 1,300 unique Posts
  • 1,600 Comments
  • 400,000  spam messages and posts. All intercepted and blocked
  • 12 Scheduled posts (Important articles which will automatically be published)
  • 470 Tweets on our Twitter site
  • 117 Followers on Twitter

We are amazed how well our associated Facebook page has done:

  • 25,640 Friends on “Arugam Surf“
  • 51% FEMALE  FB friends !!
  • 43% Male  users
  • 12,000 of our ‘fans’ are from Sri Lanka
  • 6,000 from Indonesia
  • 2,000 from the Philippines, etc. down to:
  • 107 Germans ….. only.
  • 300,000+ page views

How Arugambay got its name

Published on 10/03/2011 in front page. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

dulip:
How did Arugam bay and Komari get their names?

How did this beautiful Bay get its name?

The story is based on the arrival of Princess Devi, claims that she was first spotted at a village near PottuVille but when the king arrived at the spot the craft carrying the princess had drifted to the ocean and the disappointed king questioned the villagers ‘Ko Kumari?’ which eventually gave the village its name ‘Komari’.

Later the princess drifted ashore at Arugam Bay and the villagers told King Kawantissa that the princess had landed at ‘Ara Gama’ which later changed into ‘Arugam’ Continue reading ‘How Arugambay got its name’

Arugam Bay Surf Club Story

Published on 27/01/2011 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Kitesurf, Money Matters, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, front page, people, press coverage, services, surf and the bay. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

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Exporing Arugam, Kumana and beyond

Published on 10/01/2011 in Blogs, Historical sites, Traveler's Reports, front page and wild life. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Another great photo travel report by Lakdasun.

With the reopening of the Kumana national park early this year it had been on our priority list for quite some time and finally we managed to make that dream come true. The camp sites were booked more than three months in advance as there is no other accommodation south of Arugam Bay. Wildlife department is trying to rebuild the destroyed circuit bungalows and hopefully we will get to use them before long.

Having never been to the east coast before, we wanted to have a glimpse of the rising sun from the east coast and planned the trip so that we will be at Pottuvil by sunrise. So we left Colombo late night at 10.30PM and drove through the night Continue reading ‘Exporing Arugam, Kumana and beyond’

Arugambay – 5 Reasons To Visit

Published on 27/12/2010 in Arugam Surf Club, Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Historical sites, Traveler's Reports, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, hotels, press coverage, restaurants, surf, the bay and wild life. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

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:

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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!

  4. 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

  5. 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

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Travel industry poised for a spirited upsurge

Published on 29/07/2010 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Culture, Historical sites, Money Matters, accomodation, bars, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, hotels, people, press coverage, restaurants, services and wild life. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Daily News. by Philip Fernando

…… Places like Kalpitiya, Pasikudah, Kuchchaweli, and Arugam Bay-the surfing haven, Yala, Wilpattu, Koneswaran temple in Trincomalee or Unawatuna beach-just to name a few- are entering the tourist lexicon like Banda Aceh or Pattaya Beach…..

Underpinning the tourist revival is the fact that Sri Lanka is emerging a popular destination for many seeking to fill their leisure amidst the country’s idyllic setting. The laid-back and the debonair are being increasingly lured to our shores as an assured place for respite or revelry.

Golden beaches and tropical climate, main tourist attractions. File photo

More importantly, the country’s stunning diversity embodying cultural sites, historical treasures, the sun-drenched beaches and trendy urbane hotels promises it to be a captivating destination.

It is also a fact that professionalism inherently linked to tourism, the new tier in social networking had been well-articulated by Sri Lankans practising this trade. Its vexing demands are met quite competently by thousands who are in it for good.

Sri Lankans seemed quite adept at it now. The long drought brought on by the terror war did not dim their hopes. Continue reading ‘Travel industry poised for a spirited upsurge’

Beach Bar Quotes Arugam Bay

Published on 17/07/2010 in Arugam Surf Club, Blogs, Culture, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Ideas, Literature, accomodation, bars, front page, guesthouse, hotels, people, restaurants and the bay. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Quotes from an Arugam Bay Beach Bar

“We are perceivers. The world that we perceive, though, is an illusion.”

“Cast aside all clinging and the essence will at once emerge.”

A menu with a difference @ The SVH, Arugam Bay

“Even if only in your imagination, it is still good to escape the sadness of everyday life and spend some time in another world.”

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world. One should see as a new butterfly.”

Shalita, New Mexico

source:
http://rainehailorshine.blogspot.com/2010/07/beach-bar-quotes-arugam-bay.html

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Arugam Bay. by Sophie

Published on 13/07/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Traveler's Reports, front page, people and surf. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

Good morning!
I am back from Arugam Bay and as you’ve probably noticed my blog has been down for a while, that is because there was zero internet where I was staying.
Actually that is a lie – there was an internet cafe, but I was too busy chasing peanut to stop and pay 1000 rupees for a duff connection.
Photos and full report to follow, however in short, how to describe Arugam Bay....it is gorgeous.

Every year, a new lagoon develops at Arugam Bay. Forming a perfect, calm paddling pool next to an exiting surf break: Fun for All!

However it is small, so unless you’re there for some serious surfing, you will be twiddling your thumbs over a bottle of arrack.
Much love and thanks to the crew out there who made this trip amazing in no particular order Charlie, Jarly, Liz, Ranil, Asela, Upul, Zahn, Ranga’s dad Ram and his excellent cooking,   James, Fred, Laila and the whole crew at Siam – great food and good world cup parties and of course the Mambo dancers whose side knots and trance shapes I wouldn’t have missed for the world. XXX

source:

http://heavenonsurf.blogspot.com/2010/07/arugam-bay.html

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