Alpine of Nuwara Eliya earns 3-star status

Mahinda Kumara, Chairman of the latest 3-star property which is over 40 years old in Nuwara Eliya explains that the award was presented on the grounds of their extensive eco friendly programmes beside the modern facilities that they offer their guests.

Prasad Abu Bakr

TOURISM: There is so much to offer says, Mahinda Kumara, according to him exploring on the lines of eco tourism is a limitless exercise says Kumara who is currently promoting spots of natural interests in the hills. Travellers are showing keen interest, which Kumara states as a means of attracting not only the foreign traveller but locals as well.

Kumara's interest in this direction stands unanimous considering his vast knowledge on the subject and with 15 years experience in the related trade. He has been featured regularly in internationally acclaimed travel guide magazines focusing on the subject of eco tourism such as Lonely Planet, Foot Print, Abenteuer Reisen and Globe Trotter.

'The waterfall tour alone is an eye opener to any nature lover with 22 waterfall sites to visit' he states adding that a legendary story is attached to most of them. He also said that during the peak tourism season from October to March these falls are attractively visible as they are gushing with water. Bomburu Ella which is 2-km away from the town is the most patronised.

Horton Planes and its related mountain Kirigal Poththa Sri Lanka's 2nd and 3rd highest mountains for example are to be featured as major attractions based on the variety of flora and fauna, with over 36 varieties of Orchids and 150 bird species adding upto the splendid bird life it has to offer.

A large collection of butterflies can also be found here between November and April. The camping site here is also being broadbased with a view of encouraging travellers to camp enabling them to wake up to a splendid sun rise while observing the many variety of bird life at an early hour.

The Victoria Park right in the heart of town is currently being featured as a venue for bird watchers, a visit to the park as early as 6.am. According to Mahinda Kumara a variety of 48 bird species has been identified and bird lovers who visit the park early enough can watch most of them in their natural habitat, there are a total of seven bird sanctuaries that are presently promoted.

The Galways land forest, a 55 acres area is one such rare setting harbouring the Nuwara Eliya town that is identified and being promoted as a bird sanctuary at present.

Seeta Eliya is where the legendry Indian princess Seeta Devi was once hidden away from her husband Rama. A colourful Hindu kovil stands at the site today patronised largely by Indian tourists. Konda Gala is another venue that is connected to the same love legend, it is believed that it is at this rock site, which affords a spectacular view from its peak, that Rama went into hiding with his beloved.

'Lovers Leap' an active, gushing waterfall is believed to be identified so because many lovers are supposed to have jumped to there death from the heights of it as a result of their unfulfilled romances, situated in close proximity to the town.

The spot is visited by people to witness its picturesque view than to rekindle its unfortunately detailed past. Shanthipuram is another site that most people can enjoy visiting, as it is the only point at a high level that the entire Nuwara Eliya can be viewed from. On a clear day Adams Peak too can be seen from here.

A sightseeing tour is also conducted to Randenigala, Rantambe and The Victoria Dam where many elephants cross over at Raja Mawatha to reach surrounding wildlife sanctuaries.

At Kothmale the Vivendran kovil is a popular worshipping point of visiting Hindu devotees, the tour also takes

 one to the historical Pothgul Vihare where it is believed that Prince Dutugemunu hid away from his enemies for some time.

The 'Tunnel Tour' is another new attraction that is being formulated for the benefit of visitors. A train ride from Nanuoya to Haputale spans a tour taking the train through 18 tunnels, some with a kilometre in length. The other programme that is geared to go into operation in a bigger way than at present is the boating and canoeing at Lake Gregory.

A location has been identified at St. Clares water falls stretching upto Punduloya for white water rafting which is presently done at Kithulgala which is a 2-hour drive from Nuwara Eliya. "We won this status by running for it side by side with some of the leading hotels in the province", said the hotels present General Manager Sagara Jayasuriya.

Amaya Resorts and Spas win awards

LEISURE : Amaya Lake and Amaya Hills won National Business Excellence Awards at the National Business Excellence Awards ceremony held recently, While Amaya Lake of Dambulla was the overall winner of the coveted title Amaya Hills became the first runner-up. Both the awards were presented focusing on the leisure and entertainment sector category.

Since its re-branding from its original Connaissance de Ceylan to Amaya Resorts and Spas, all propertied under the banner has undergone major re-furbishing and re-structuring to suite current international resort trends, said Denesh Silva, Director Marketing and Sales.

The three properties including its latest addition Amaya Reef have been re-designed to keep up to suite global markets and the contemporary traveller in mind. Besides gearing up with all modern amenities to address the needs of the travellers the necessity to retain a Sri Lankan identity has been given priority at all times.

While the winning award of the leisure and entertainment sector was collected by Srijith Gunaratne, General Manager Amaya Lake, Dambulla the 1st runner-up trophy for the same category was collected by Upul Leukebandara, Manager Amaya Hills. (PAB)

Wine Diploma for Clive

PROGRAM : The Labels Wine Academy in affiliation with L'Ecole Des Vins Bourgogne France launched a comprehensive wine education program to collectively uplift the service standards of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka.

The five-month course offered a theory and practical based course geared towards training competent senior staff; so that they may in turn be trainers in the hotels and institutions they work for.

Clive De Costa, Manager, Bars, Galadari Hotel sat the examination which was held at the French Trade Commission in Colombo. He along with 20 other participants were examined on both theory and practical questions on wine; maintaining strict international examination standards.

The highest mark of 55 was obtained by De Costa which is a great achievement, the pass mark being 50. The Diploma was awarded to Clive De Costa who is now further equipped to pass on his wine knowledge to the other Galadari Hotel staff.

Dr. Ariff Jamal, Chief Winemaker and Export Director of Maison Albert Bichot travelled extensively from France to conduct the entire course which was held in four 5-star hotels in Colombo.

The participants were from the Hotel School, 5 star hotels (Cinnamon Grand, Trans Asia, Hilton, Galadari, Taj, Galle Face Hotel, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Riverina) and key restaurants. They are senior level staff who wanted to further their knowledge in wine service and train others in the future.

The syllabus is focused on the hospitality industry, covering topics such as introduction to wine, old world and new world wines, organising and managing wines for hotels and wine service. This prestigious diploma was awarded to five participants and 16 others were awarded the certificates. The prize-giving is to be held on January 17, at the French Trade Commission in Colombo.

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