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| Saturday, 18 January 2003 |
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Pedal for Pleasure by Tharika Goonathilake
Ever considered taking in Sri Lanka's diverse landscapes, rich in nature, culture and adventure at your own pace, time and convenience ? apart from the low cost. Then, a novel venture by the Sri Lanka Tourism Board and local authorities might just be the answer to a new holiday experience at your own leisure and pleasure.
The Cycle Trails, which have now been developed, runs the length of the Southern Coastal route, covering 240 km to 30 km on quiet interior dirt tracks from Wadduwa to Koggala. The Trails has been divided into eight sections, between 20km to 30km each, representing two hours of relaxed cycling through varied terrain.
According to Sri Lanka Tourism Board Chairman Paddy Withana the concept has been designed to promote Sri Lanka's nature, culture adventure product which is gaining an increased interest among travellers all over the world. "Most of the hotels in the south have cycles for hire. But, there
has been no concrete effort made to develop trails exclusively for
cyclists. The idea behind the concept is to encourage visitors to travel
within the country on their own initiative," the Chairman said.
The Trails, encompassing diverse terrain, shady rubber estates, marshlands teeming with water birds and other wildlife, some of the finest gardens and beautiful temples, await those who take to the pedal. Withana said that similar Trails are being developed in many countries to promote adventure tourism and that most of the hotels on the southern coastal route will make facilities available for tourists in keeping with this new initiative.
That's not all, plans are also under way to extend the Trails beyond Koggala with the help of local authorities under the second stage. So the next time you want to take a break, try a holiday package of a different kind, pedal for pleasure!. *************** This January around the town CUISINE Cuisine fare at Taj Taj is out with a new theme which offers you an opportunity to add some colour to your taste buds everyday, in different styles. On Mondays there is `Western Fusion Barbecue', a taste of California, Europe and the pacific, prepared authentically. `Mediterranean' on Tuesdays featuring chicken Shawarmas, the variety of Pastas in Italian sauce and the Mezze Bar to compliment it. The art of presentation from the Japanese, centuries of finery from Malaysia and the fusion from Thailand, served in one special menu- `An Oriental Odyssey' awaits you on Wednesdays. `Viva Mexicana' on Thursdays offers hot Mexican cuisine while `Bojun Patha' on Fridays features a true Sri Lankan dinner menu. Lobsters, prawns, mullet and garoupe will be set ready on Saturdays at `Fisherman's Night' and Sundays will offer `Mumbai Spice Market' with Biryani and the Kebabs. Coming event The art of films Tissa Abeysekera will lead you along an adventurous path through expressionist history and its impact on film-making and arts in general, with special reference to Asian cinema at the time and upto today. Two films out of the autumn 2002 silent film season will be used as the backdrop. The seminar will be held from March 13 to 20 at Gl Auditorium of Goethe institute Inter Nations. Let us in on Colombo's best kept secrets. We need hot tips on
night spots, restaurants, cuisine and the latest in entertainment. Tell us
what you like or share with us good bargain buys, promotional events,
travel news- anything under the sun. If your tip is worth following, we
will feature you on this page. Write to the Editor Travel, Daily News,
Lake House Colombo 10 or e-mail us at |
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Tired of the usual rushed holiday packages and tours tailored to get 'a
glimpse of things' and nothing else ?
Spectacular Cycle Trails in a tropical setting, are the newest of
concepts that are now being developed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Board to
enable locals as well as tourists to see Sri Lanka's diversity.
Circular rides have been designed to make all this accessible to more
adventurous guests staying at hotels in the area and wanting to spend the
day in a stunning countryside.
"Today's travellers are increasingly focused on getting the most
from every aspect of their holiday. It's much more than `simply
unwinding'. They travel to learn about new places and people, or to be
exposed to new ideas of new activities. The trails will help to establish
a stronger link with the community- the pulse of the country," he
said.
