Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 01:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Abbi Kanthasamy
Venturing into the heart of Sri Lanka’s highlands, Kandy unfolded like a vivid tapestry, woven with threads of its colonial past and the lush, green vibrancy of its famous tea plantations.
The base was the W15 Hanthana Estates, a property that doesn’t just offer guests a stay – it’s a plunge into a bygone era. This place is pure, distilled colonial nostalgia, packaged within the walls of a luxurious, five-star estate, echoing the days when estate owners, known as “Planters”, shaped the fortunes of this island.
Stepping into W15 Hanthana is like walking into a sepia-toned photograph, where the air is crisp, and every corner tells a story of opulence and old-world charm. From the architecture to the ambience, it’s a reverent nod to its colonial roots, yet equipped with the trappings of modern luxury.
The estate offers a variety of experiences that blend the rugged natural beauty of the area with its storied past. There are hikes and 4x4 trails winding through the expansive property, and in a stroke of sheer brilliance, they set up a bivouac in the middle of the jungle.
There, amidst the chirping of crickets and the rustle of the trees, I sipped on Colombo Gin – a local spirit that captures the essence of Sri Lanka in a bottle. Paired with tonic, it brought to mind the old English days of sundowners and tales of the Raj.
Kandy is a city draped over hills and valleys, where flat lands are rare, but cricket grounds are not – this is Sri Lanka, after all, where cricket is less sport than religion. The weather here carries a coolness that mingles with the scent of pine mixed with local flora, creating a climate that feels almost temperate yet distinctly tropical.
Culinary adventures in Kandy are as vibrant and varied as its landscapes. The local cuisine is a fiery dance of flavours – roti, pol sambol, dhal curry, and an array of spiced rice that make each meal a colourful dream. One also cannot visit Kandy without delving into its tea culture.
At a local tea factory, the ritual of high tea is a ceremonial affair, a tribute to the leaf that shaped the fortunes of this region.
Abbi Kanthasamy blends his expertise as an entrepreneur with his passion for photography and travel. For more of his work, visit www.abbiphotography.com.
(Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/travel/2024/12/22/a-mystical-journey-through-kandys-colonial-vestiges)
(The writer blends his expertise as an entrepreneur with his passion for photography and travel. For more of his work, visit www.abbiphotography.com.)
