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Glenfall Rest lives up to its name:
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WHEN you visit Nuwara Eliya and ever happen to stay at the Glenfall Rest you will discover yourself the peace and tranquillity that can spell out the meaning of a restful holiday.
This is an abode of well appointed 9-roomed property operated under the command of Leslie Dassanayake a longstanding inn keeper and hotelier for over 24 years, born and bred amidst those picturesque mountains known by most as 'little England'.
'When I started operating guest houses they were one of a kind as there was only the bigger properties that were catering to the rich foreigners', said Dassanayake indicating that the guest houses broke in to the market opening up accommodation possibilities on a larger scale to the ever growing numbers that thronged the hill station annually. This present property he's operating is also an exclusive abode.
Glenfall Rest is popular amongst the vast number of honeymooners who arrive in Nuwara Eliya to spend some romantic moments together away from noise and disturbance.
Though it's a walking distance from the town near the Dharmapala Circle off the Badulla Road on Glenfall Road once you have moved in, it is amazing to see how relaxing it can turn out to be.
The vast lawn and the well paved and flourishing fence that enclose it, extend an immediate invitation for one to sit and enjoy the chill and misty weather that prevails at present. There is an equally large garden space at the back as well which is utilised for barbecue dinner sessions for a large in-house gathering.
The bedrooms which are mostly double or family rooms are furnished to retain that cosy comfort, with a television to keep you entertained and a fireplace in real English style to keep your evenings warm.
All rooms are with panelled wooden flooring. The attached toilets have hot water. There is a restaurant that serve both eastern and western cuisine prepared by an experienced master chef.
This little hotel outfit is presently a popular venue for weddings and other intimate functions. But Dassanayake claims that they undertake to accommodate such functions only after taking into consideration the convenience of the in-house guests occupying at that moment.
Sometimes they get small groups from Colombo who needs more than the number of rooms that are available, "then we find accommodation for them at other similar places but we have found that they all gather here in the evenings for their sing-song sessions with drinks and dinner as there is enough outdoor space for them to revel around", he said.
At present Dassanayake says that they are promoting special excursions among the many visitors who visit Nuwara Eliya notwithstanding the popular notion that this hill station only blooms in April "This is the best time for us" said one of the guests who has come down with his family from overseas on holiday.
He further explained stating that it is the best time because there are no crowds to cope with and the weather is what Nuwara Eliya stands for "if we cannot enjoy the cold climes and visit the gushing waterfalls while we are in this beautiful surroundings what is the great idea in visiting the hill country at all," said the visitor with much enthusiasm.
As I walked out of Dassanayake's premises I noticed another coach with holiday makers pulling up the curb inquiring for accommodation and as I walked further away I turned back and saw Glenfall Rest set against the vast faraway mountain leads up to 'Single Tree' with its sprinkling of hotels and guest houses at its base.
The mist was curling down the mountain and the early morning sun temporarily disappeared behind the clouds shedding some gloom over the area making it a very special place to be. A place called Nuwara Eliya.
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Steam Boat at Great Wall
GREAT WALL Restaurant will steam into its first anniversary of the
Great Steam Boat Festival from June 18 to 30.
It will be a carnival atmosphere with everyone joining in the fun, for some it might actually be a first time experience to rock the boat. Thrill and spills from the boat when you do cook it yourself at the table with fabulous music to entertain you and keep your toes tapping on Sunday nights.
The Chinese Steamboat owes its beginning to the Mongols of Northern China, more than 400 years ago. These Nomadic people did not bequeath a great culinary heritage to Chinese cuisine, but the Mongolian hot pot is an important legacy.
By the 18th century it had become a winter favourite in the Qing dynasty court and still remains and flourishes in all China's regions today.
It began as a simple way of cooking meat and vegetables, the thinly sliced meat is dropped with some leafy vegetables into bubbling chicken soup contained in a specially designed pot (called a steam boat by the Cantonese and a hot pot or a fire kettle in other regions of China).
It is placed in the middle of the table for finishing and serving. After a minute or two, the food is cooked and is lifted out and eaten with a variety of dipping sauces, when all the meat and vegetables are finished, noodles is added to the broth, resulting in a wonderful fragrant and flavoursome soup.
"Come along and make yourselves at home and join in the fun, don't miss the boat," said Restaurant Manager of Great Wall Adrian Gomez.
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