Monthly Archive for July, 2010

Travel industry poised for a spirited upsurge

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….. Himalaya speman purchase online

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

Order clarina

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

More importantly, the countrya??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’

Dry Surf Lessons at Arugam Bay

Elephants, mangoes and ceylon tea: these are a few of my favourite things
The ADVENTURES (AND MISADVENTURES) OF AN AUSTRALIAN IN EXOTIC AND SPIRITUAL SRI LANKA

A wave goodbye

Buy geriforte syrup

Dry Surf lesson at Arugam Bay

Waves are recurring motion. Ever tumbling, ever crashing, forming great peaks before hollowing out in a shower of foam. Their existence evokes a sundry of organic human responses. The human can dominate the wave, or suffer its wrath like a forgotten tissue in a washing machine. Surfers find a thrill from riding a wall of water that has enough power to dwarf them. You know, man versus wild, that sort of stuff.

Surfers get snobby about their waves. Locals protect them, taking all the rides save the odd donation to a sun-burnt tourist in a gesture of charity, or pity. Surfers form some sort of salty secret society, their mandate: to protect their territory. During Sri Lankaa??s 30 year war, it was the LTTE Tamil Tigers who took the east coast and ironically, protected it from the cheap exploits of package tourism. Ita??s the same coast that was devastated by the most powerful wave of all, Tsunami – Japanese for a??harbour wave.a??

Now, the beaches are largely unspoiled and Arugam Bay Buy biaxin antibiotic is aA?favouriteA?among board riders. Friday nights are spent sitting in the sand with barbequed prawns and a beach fire flicking light on scorched facesa?? Swedes, Aussies, Spaniards, Germans and Austrians debriefing the daya??s biggest catches. Ita??s an international forum but I think theya??re speaking English or maybe ita??s some secret jargon you learn at the secret surfer society? Crests, tubes, breaks, impact zonesa?? a??Yeah, I had a car once,a?? I join in.

I decided at once that I wanted to be a part of this club, Continue reading ‘Dry Surf Lessons at Arugam Bay’

(0)

Rangaa??s a??Shorepiecea??

By M. Naushad Amit
Sri Lanka, as a global tourist destination, has many wonders on offer to its visitors who come with different plans during their stay in this beautiful pearl shaped island situated in the Indian Ocean. Within Sri Lanka itself, there are many holiday destinations which are popular among local and foreign tourists alike. But the unspoiled beachfront of Arugam Bay is a beautiful location yet to be explored by holidaymakers.

Arugam Bay. A popular Surf Destination

Though Arugam Bay is gradually picking up in popularity among the locals as an infrequent getaway, it has been a surfing haven for foreigners for three decades. Even during the peak of the 30-year long ethnic war that affected tourists arrivals, Arugam Bay Cheap cyklokapron catered to many foreigners, especially surfers, who found the waves there a special treat to their surfing a??needsa??.
Arugam Bay, which is located near Pottuvil in the countrya??s east coast, is rich in bird life and wildlife in the surrounding jungles, wetlands and lagoons nearby. Being an area with links to ancient kingdoms, there are many remnants in the jungle from old Buddhist culture. Just outside Pottuvil, behind the dunes, are excavations of a 2000-year-old temple, the Modu Maha Vihare. About 3,500 people live in and around Arugam Bay. It consists of three small villages, where fishing and farming are the main livelihoods. Since Arugam Bay is reputed to be one of the worlda??s best surfing points, the number of foreign surfers to visit the location has increased. To meet the demands, many in Arugam Bay have shifted their interest and trades into tourism. Though the area lacks luxury hotels, the limited number of beachfront resorts and cabanas provide the best in tourist hospitality.

Ranga of Beach Hut fame

Comfort Zone
One such resort with a difference is a??Rangaa??s Beach Huta??, where guests get to enjoy a totally new experience in hospitality. Rangaa??s Beach Hut which is located at two different places neighbouring each other, is owned by Continue reading ‘Rangaa??s a??Shorepiecea??’

No ATM, No Internet @ AbaY ???

Thursday July 22nd 2010

…..She books us a room at Arugam Bay (so we dona??t have to worry about that) and ask Sudu to book us a private van to drive us from here to Tissa, Yala and Arugam Bay. All taken care of. One tiny annoyance, there are no pin machines in Digoxin toxicity treatment Arugam Bay How to order prometrium so we have to pin 300 euros worth of RPS, which means holding about 200 bills (IF provided in 2000 RPS each). One feels like a millionaire, when maybe just holding no more than 50 Euros.
Wea??re in the internet cafA? now, soon wea??ll go out and buy Miss Mala a gift and we just bought tennis balls for her son to play cricket with on the beach.
I have no idea when I can get online again. Probably not for a while, as Arugam Bay doesna??t have an internet connection.
Look up at the sky on the night of the 25th and Ia??ll see the same full moon from our night Safari camp in Yala National park.
Love,
M&S …….

Full text of Talpe Temple School Blog here: Continue reading ‘No ATM, No Internet @ AbaY ???’

Help to find my brother at Arugam Bay

A few days ago, while perusing Surfermag.coma??s bulletin board for news, and doing some research for the New York Times on Tsunami survivors, I found the post that Tanner at Reef posted about Marcelo Bengoechea. Marceloa??s brother Fernando, a well-known New York photographer and an adventure travel addict went missing in Sri Lanka after literally being hit while sleeping in his bungalow at the Stardust Hotel in Arugam Bay. As many of you may know, Fernando was staying at Arugam, a place with an excellent series of right hand waves, with Nate Berkus a?? Oprah Winfreya??s favorite interior decorator.

Here are excerpts of the conversation. Marcelo by the way, is the creative director at Reef Brazil. If anyone reading this is in Sri Lanka, and can help him find his brother, youa??d sure go a long way in bringing some peace to a hell of a nice guy, and a mightily distraught familya??A?Chris Dixon

From Marcelo Bengoechea:

a??Fernando, hea??s a fashion photographer and lives in New York. Does interiors and location photograpy. Hea??s very well known. Hea?? s done a lot of lifestyle shots for Reef too. Not the girla??s butts, but the product shots.a??

a??He was in Sri Lanka staying at the Stardust Hotel in Arugam Bay. The place is very well known and has an excellent righthand wave. One of the latest issues of Transworld Surf says a??Big Sri Lankaa??, and they talk about that place in particular. The website of the resort is www.arugambay.com.a??

a??He was on a vaction trip. Hea??s not as hardcore a surfer as me a?? so he doesna??t have to carry a board with him wherever he goes, but if there were waves, Ia??m sure he was surfing.a??

a??He planned to be in Sri Lanka for Christmas and New Years. Ia??m not sure if hea??d actually been there before. Hea??s been a photographer and an adventurer a?? hea??s traveled extensively to very remote locations. I dona??t know anybody who has traveled more than my brother, and I know a lot of surfers. Hea??s got so many free air miles, he was always going places.a??

When asked what Nate Berkus had told him, he replied:

a??I actually talked to Nate. They were swept away by the wave together. From his own mouth, he told me that they were woken up in the water. They were staying in a bungalow right on the beach. They were hit first and got swept out, and between the first and second wave, there was about a 20 second lapse and they were able to grab onto a telephone pole. They thought, a??ita??s over, ita??s overa??, and thata??s when the second wave hit them. Nate was able to climb onto a roof and my brother was swept into the lagoon and the jungle area.a??

a??The hotel was on a strip between the ocean and the lagoon. My brother was swept over into the lagoon and thata??s the last time he was seen. His friend was lucky enough to have been in an area with an international cellphone and they were able to start a search.a??

a??Authorities are searching for everybody they can find alive. I contacted a person whoa??s looking exclusivelly for my brother. Hea??s in the area doing that. The search only happens during the day. Therea??s no power, no electricity, no lights and no communication. The guy has a satellite phone and Ia??m doing all sorts of research on the Internet. Ia??m pretty much putting as many descriptions on as I can. I went on CNN and they work worldwide. Thata??s why I put the posting on Surfer too. Maybe international surfers who are in the are, or who have been therea?? Ia??m just reaching out to surfers. I assume that maybe if you even have a surfboard in that area youa??ll paddle around and look for my brother. Ia??m just reaching out to as many people as I can.a??

When asked how he and his family was holding up, he replied:

a??Ita??s tough. Being so far away, therea??s not much you can do aside from watch TV and the Internet. We all come from Argentina. My family is there. I have a sister and another brother, but Fernando is an American citizen, which helps the search. Wea??re just all in touch as much as we can be. We believe in him. Knowing Fernando a?? hea??s a great athlete a?? surfer, scuba instructor. Physically, hea??s able to do whatever it takes. Hea??s been to remote locations and gone feral a number of times. We believe that if he did not die from the power of the wave, he might be lost in the jungle and unable to communicate. Hea??s strong, hea??s smart and he knows survival techniques well enough that he could survive in the jungle. Thata??s an isolated area. Therea??s just nothing around there. So we have every reason to hope.a??

a??You know, ita??s a crazy story when you actually know someone who has been in that situation. Ita??s unbelievable. I still dona??t believe it.a??

If anyone has any leads, Marceloa??s email is: marcelo.b@reef.com. Otherwise, send a prayer his way.

Go to Surfermag.comA?Message Board thread regarding Fernando.

An NYTimes Article on Victims, including Fernando
Off the Runway, and in Disastera??s Path CLICK HERE.

The Fernando and Nate Blog
Most Updated Information CLICK HERE.

source:

http://www.surfermag.com/features/findfernando/

Surfing at Arugam Bay

Is the generic for aciphex available Glucophage xr costco

Youngsters from Arugam Bay swap fishing for surfing

From fighting the waves to riding them
By M Naushad Amit

Sri Lanka has some excellent up-and-coming professionals in the sports field who are making a name for themselves as players, trainers and coaches. Cricket and rugby top the list while many in the track and field sports have also come into the limelight recently.

Buy cleocin suppositories
Arugam Bay Surf Club

Strangely a bunch of youngsters from Arugam Bay are on the verge of swapping their traditional profession of fishing to take up to surfing, an internationally popular sport hitherto alien to Sri Lanka and confined mainly to occasional glimpses of foreign events on television.
The Arugam Bay surfing break which was recognised by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the global governing body in surfing has now developed to be a popular destination for international surfers. Many in Arugam Bay who were battered by the ethnic war and the raging tsunami are now gradually picking up the threads of their shattered lives and moving on by taking to surfing along with the unceasing number of international surfers who come here on training or holiday.

To cater the demands of the tourists who come to stay in Arugam Bay for long periods, a young set of surfing enthusiasts took the initiative of forming the Arugam Bay Surf Club (ABSC) seven years ago. At the beginning these youngsters only knew to balance their body weight on a surfing board with their natural talent to swim. But during this period the ABSC has grown to become a dominant force in surfing in Sri Lanka.
a??When we began seven years ago we knew nothing on surfing. We had only ten members then who knew to swim well but had no idea of how to handle a surf board. As years passed by our boys learned a great deal on surfing through the huge number of international surfers who came down to Arugam Bay. Now our membership has grown to 35 and all are equally talented,a?? Krishantha Ariyasena the secretary of ABSC told The Nation.
The ABSC were further boosted by a group from England who had come down to uplift the living standards of the people of Arugam Bay after the devastating tsunami. The group a??Paddle for Reliefa?? headed by Tim Tanton consisting great surfing enthusiasts promoted Arugam Bay to the outside world as an ideal surfing destination while engaging in social welfare work. The local surfers who used to train on borrowed surfers were presented two brand new surf boards by Tantona??s Group.
a??Tim and his group were really behind our efforts in promoting surfing among the local youngsters here. Over the years they helped us in many ways and we also came to know a lot of foreign friends through them,a?? Krishantha added.

The ABSC who are now affiliated to the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka has become a leading club in the sport by holding many locally organised events throughout the country. But their greatest break in surfing came during late June with the SriLankan Airlines Pro Surfing 2010, a six-star event recognised and organised by the ASP. Sri Lanka was presented two wild card entries and through a qualifying championship the local surfers from Arugam Bay Duphalac syrup cost won the slots to represent Sri Lanka along with over 100 professional and international surfers. The ASP officials were really impressed by the local talent who competed without less technical knowledge.
a??This was the greatest moment for us at ABSC. AH Milan and WL Asanka from our club won the wild card slots for the event. Continue reading ‘Youngsters from Arugam Bay swap fishing for surfing’

(0)

Beach Bar Quotes Arugam Bay

Quotes from anA?Arugam Bay Beach Bar

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

a??Cast aside all clinging and the essence will at once emerge.a??

Order rocaltrol cost

A menu with a difference @ The SVH, Arugam Bay

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

Silvitra sale

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

Shalita, New Mexico

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

(0)

Java Surfer wins CoCa Cola Championship

…..He then flew abroad to join the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro, a six-star WQS event at Arugam Bay, A?Sri Lanka, where he made it as far as the forth round…….

Dede Suryana in the final round of the 2010 West Java Open at Cimaja Beach, on Sunday. Dede won the fourth series of Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championships Tour by beating Pepen Hendrik in the final round. (Photo courtesy of ISC Tour/Tim Hain)

West Java Surfer Rips To ISC Tour Victory

Cimaja, Indonesia. Dede Suryanaa??s hometown in West Java finally saw first-hand the true skill level of its native son.

Having competed abroad most of the year, the 26-year-old surfer produced a dazzling array of moves to win the West Java Open in his hometown of Cimaja on Sunday.

It was Dedea??s first victory in the 2010 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour.

a??Ia??m so happy right now, this is the best thing ever. To win this event in front of my family and friends, ita??s like a dream come true,a?? Dede said on the ISC Web site.

a??Ia??ve been all over the world, competing in WQS [World Qualifying Series] events lately. To come back home where everyone is, thata??s something super special.a??

Dede, the ISC Tour champion in 2008, clinched the West Java title and the Rp 12.5 million ($1,400) top purse after he beat Pepen Henrik 14.75-13.9 in the 25-minute final that saw the two surfers exchange aggressive maneuvers and breathtaking techniques.

Raditya Rondi, the winner of the third ISC Tour series in Kuta, Bali last month, and Dedi Dwi Santoso ended up tied for third place in the tournament supported by Quicksilver.

The last time Dede competed in a local event was during the ISC Tour opener in Canggu, Bali, in April.

He then flew abroad to join the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro, a six-star WQS event at Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka, where he made it as far as the fourth round. Continue reading ‘Java Surfer wins CoCa Cola Championship’

(0)

Arugam Bay. by Sophie

Good morning!
I am back from Proscar generics Arugam Bay Buy mircette online no prescription 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, A? 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

(1)

A journey through the wilderness: Lahugala

A lone Elephant in Lahugala near (Arugam Bay) Sildalis cheap

It was around 4.30 pm when a group of us passed through the gates and entered the Lahugala National Park. The evening light was casting shadows on the ground and the large trees and foliage were shading our path. As the vehicle drove forward I could not help but feel that I was truly entering the wilderness.

Words Udeshi AmarasingheA?Photographs Mahesh Bandara

The Lahugala National Park was opened to the public recently, therefore the tranquillity of an untouched environment still prevails. The roads are still rough and newly cut with an occasional branch or two barring the way. Continue reading ‘A journey through the wilderness: Lahugala’

Last Chance to support Europe at Arugam Bay

Venlor online stopwatch

Many Football fans are A?happy to have followed every single A? Isoniazid cost Football World Cup match on vacation, and not at home.

Special License times at AbaY. Fun for All

Enjoy the Finals in a similar setting, with the ocean behind at Arugam Bay!

At Arugam Bay everyone enjoyed:
UninterruptedA?coverage, Free attendance, good company, nice music, cheap booze!
And aA?fantasticA?backdrop with the blue ocean behind

Now, there is justA?the Grand Final to be shown.
Below are the dates and times, relevant for Sri Lanka:

The Grand Final is on:
Sunday night (11/12th July)
The game will be at MIDNIGHT

The party will only finish at Sun Rise with a BIG Splash into the clear Indian Ocean Waters!

Final
Match Date – Time Venue Results
64 12/07 00:00 Johannesburg Netherlands Netherlands Preview Spain Spain

Hambantota, Kataragama & the Road to Arugam Bay

…. Arugam Bay is a beautiful coastal town…..

We had toured Hambantota while visiting the Yala area and I wanted to share some pictures of of this southern coastal town before taking you on a journey up the east coast. [Nil.JPG]

Hambantota is the salt producing capital of Sri Lanka, which happens to be the electorate of the current President. Continue reading ‘Hambantota, Kataragama & the Road to Arugam Bay’

Alan Stokes and Beth Mason win the Arugam Bay Champion of Champions

X

Arugam Bay Champion of Champions winners

Alan Stokes at Arugam Bay

The weeks Sri Lanka Champion of Champions Surf Contest saw two new champions, some great weather and perfect conditions. UK Pro Surf Tour Champion Alan Stokes from Newquay and Welsh Champion Beth Mason showed stunning form in 3 to 4 ft conditions to take the top spots on the podium at one of the yeara??s most prestigious contests.

Organised by the UK Pro Surf Association (UKPSA), the event saw one of the largest ever entries with over 50 contestants travelling from all over the world to bid for this major title at Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. Continue reading ‘Alan Stokes and Beth Mason win the Arugam Bay Champion of Champions’

Hideaway in Arugam Bay, Lahugala, 1st Century Monastery south of Panama

(extract quotes) ……Hideaway in Arugam Bay for the best rice and curry I have had in a very long time – very fresh, very hot. Purchase premarin no prescription

K: Kudumbigala monastery near Arugam Bay Cheap aldactone side /Panama-a fantastic setting for a 1stA?century BC site

Lahugala in April with millions of butterflies…..

Together on and off stage
By Smriti Daniel
Ranmali and Kumar have known each other since they were 16 a?? they first met on the set of Richard de Zoysa’s and Rajiva Wijesinhaa??s dual productions of a??Romeo & Juliet’.They shared the stage again for several plays, including Steve de la Zilwaa??s a??Accidental Death of an Anarchista??. a??I suppose you can say we a??meta?? on stage and the drama continues!a?? says Ranmali, of their 18-year marriage.

Unfortunately, acting hasna??t been a priority of late. As Manager Programme Delivery, Ranmali is responsible for all the arts related programmes the British Council delivers in Sri Lanka. An integral part of the team that createdA?www.writeclique.com, she is also working on several new projects that will nurture and showcase young Sri Lankan artistes. Continue reading ‘Hideaway in Arugam Bay, Lahugala, 1st Century Monastery south of Panama’

When they surf expressed!

by Nilma Dole
The Coolum-born 21 year-old Australian endured many a wave and stride to come out clean with a good score of 14.33 that saw him win over 19 year-old American Nat Young in the Sri Lankan Pro Surf Tournament 2010 held in ARUGAM BAY

THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF ARUGAM

Hailing from a family where surfing runs through their veins, Julian is a down-to-earth surfer with a wave of a charisma that shows that you dona??t need a big surfboard to win big. He said, a??Sri Lankan surfers do have the potential to make it big because the Arugam Bay waves are first-class and are great to practice on.a??

2010 Winner. Best Surfer Julian

Winning Sri Lankaa??s first ever 6 star rated Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) SriLankan Airlines Pro tournament in awesome style, the surf went up 4 to 6 feet surf on the day of the finals. Continue reading ‘When they surf expressed!’