Travel

Habarana Resthouse:

The unique location in the Cultural Triangle

HABARANA Resthouse, owned and managed by the Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) is an ideal location at Sri Lanka's world famous heritage sites. It has easy access to ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Medirigiriya, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Aukana, Yapahuwa and Kandy.

The resthouse which is built at the junction of Habarana, also has access to Sri Lanka's east coast.

It is a popular stop-over for tourists, both foreign and Sri Lankan travelling to Lanka's ancient cities in the cultural triangle.

The resthouse serves a variety of Western, Eastern and traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry which are very popular not only among in-house guests but also among 'stop-over' guests travelling to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and other heritage sites. It also offers an 'A-la-Carte' menu.

Safari tours to Minneriya/Kaudulla Wild Life Park, and Elephant Safari tours offered by the resthouse are popular specially among foreign tourists.

"Most of the CHC resthouses and hotels have become popular especially among Sri Lankans and expatriates due to the very attractive prices offered not only to in-house guests but also to stop-over' guests said consultant, travel and marketing, Ceylon Hotels Corporation Shan Wickramaratne.

CHC's Travel Bureau is located at Galle Road, Colombo - 4, Wickramaratne said. -LJ

Around the World in Seven Days at 'Ports' Taj Samudra

SAVOUR some of the most delicious cuisine from around the world at Taj Samudra's "Ports" coffee shop which has introduced a seven day dinner buffet.

"The new concept caters to the pallette of each and every guest, be it a Sri Lankan or foreign tourist from any part of the world " says Priyantha Weerasinghe, Taj Samudra's sous chef.

Sunday is 'Metatherian Night' which offers the very best of food items from countries around the red sea. The dinner buffet consists of authentic Italian, Lebanese, Arabic Morokko and UAE food.

Monday night is "Taj Street at Live" - Mongolian Night. It is an action station where meats and seafood are made in the presence of guests, to the individual taste of each guest.

Tuesday is "Oriental Delight", a typical oriental night offering spicy Japanese, Chinese and Thai delights. On Wednesday, the "Ports" goes Mexican, presenting a buffet made up of mexican cuisine, using authentic mexican spices.

Thursday is "Western Fusion BBQ" night. Here Taj's expert cooks offers a variety of BBQ items meats - chicken, pork, beef, lamb, sausages all made up with a variety of marination. It is a must of BBQ lovers.

Friday is Sri Lankan "Bojun Patha" spicy Sri Lankan dishes - you name it "ports" offers it. A typical Sri Lankan buffet with a wide spread of traditional Sri Lankan food.

"Taj Fish Market" is presented on Saturdays. The dinner buffet consists of a variety of seafood, made up from the "Catch of the day" from the Indian ocean. Prawns, lobsters, crabs, cuttle fish and other seafood items make up the "Taj Fish Market" dinner buffet.

The seafood is made to the individual taste of each guest. Its a treat for seafood lovers. Scintillating live calypso music makes Friday and Saturday night most colourful and entertaining. -LJ

Winners at Culinary Art 2005

THE Culinary Team of the "Amaya Hills' owned by 'Connaissance Holdings Limited" received a number of awards at the recently concluded 'Culinary Art 2005' event held at the BMICH.

Two Gold Medals for Live Cooking, Two Silver Medals for Five Course Set Menu and Arrack Cocktail, Four Bronze Medals for Plated appetizers, Vegetable Carving, Ice Carving and Arrack Cocktail was won by Amaya Hills Team.

The 'Culinary Art 2005' showcases the expertise of the young, budding chefs of Sri Lanka and the stature of the organizations they represent.