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 A relaxing retreat from the city of Colombo in
a charming Sri Lankan villa built in the new "modern build,
tradition rich" style. Set at the end of a quiet road overlooking
the lake and Paddy land, the villa is approached through a heavy
timber door onto a walkway of concrete platforms 'floating' on a
pond.
The walkway leads through the verandah to a
set of wide Jaffna style doors, which open onto the living area.
Elegant, comfortable sofas are set amidst cool white walls and
rich, polished Jak wood cupboards and doors.
Butterflies, dragonflies and small birds visit
the indoor ponds and sing meloncholy tunes in the early morning.
As night approaches the atmosphere becomes soft and romantic as
colonial 2 candle lamps mingle with decorative panels of tiny
lights- a true mix of old and new.
Interior walls are decorated with sepia prints
of bygone Sri lanka, contrasting yet harmonising with the highly
modern abstract tiles highlighting the courtyard walls.
Though only about 30-45 mins drive from
Central Colombo with its city-rich selection of shops and
restaurants, at Villa Talangama you are in the heart of the
wetlands with excellent opportunities for walking and nature
watching.
The Pheasant-tailed Jacana steps from lily pad
to floating lily pad, water hens broach the evening's quiet with
harsh calls and the Purple faced leaf monkey sends his booming
call through the forest. These colourful contrasts are Sri lanka.
Facilities
The villa is typical of
Sri Lankan architecture and is infused with contemporary touches:
columns and verandas that skirt around the villa, large doors and
windows opening out to the swimming pool, the gardens and the
wetlands beyond, cooling cement floors and open-air bathrooms,
timber ceilings and clay-tiled roofs. The ground floor of this
villa consists of living, dining and many lounging spaces by the
poolside or in the veranda by the ponds. The upstairs lounge area
consists of a flat screen TV, CD player and an interesting library
including many titles on Sri Lanka. Meals are served when and
wherever you please - al fresco dining by the poolside or in the
elegantly laid out dining room facing an ochre colored, pebbled
courtyard. Both Western dishes and Sri Lankan rice and curries
using locally available ingredients are served. If you wish, you
are welcome in the spacious and modern kitchen to do your own
cooking with Pathmanathan, the in-house chef giving you a helping
hand, or just sit back and choose from one of the menus on offer.
Dining
The dining area has a table dressed with
sparkling white linen and comfortably seats 8 should you have
guests. The views are of the lush gardens and wetlands beyond.
More informal meals will be enjoyed on the well furnished verandah
or in the courtyard sharing the tropical planting and reflecting
pool with the butterflies, dragonflies and small birds enjoying
the tranquility.
A choice of Western or Sri lLankan cuisine is
always available. Daily discussions will enable staff to shop and
cook to your taste while you take to the many treks during the
day.
Tea, coffee and fruit drinks are served on
request or you may enjoy your favourite wine purchased in
Colombo. Room rates are given on a half board basis usually to
include dinner. Lunch will be provided if notice is given.
For a change, the restaurants in Colombo offer
class, sophistication and character and a plethera of
nationalities and menus.
Accommodation
The stairs from the verandah lead to a gallery
landing overlooking the living areas which gives access to the 3
air conditioned bedrooms and ensuite open-air bathrooms.
The master bedroom, Kings Room,
is simply furnished with storage cupboards and a king size four
poster bed. The canopy ceiling reveals the rafters spread like
palm leaves. The open-air ensuite bathroom has a beautifully
designed vanity unit with arched taps and bowls in the Phillip
Stark tradition. A basketful of bathtime toiletries, an efficient
shower and plenty of fresh towels completes the comfort list.
A further two bedrooms, Queen Room,
one single and one with twin beds share a second bathroom. The
window seat in the twin room is piled with jak leaf coloured
cushions inviting you to sit and read or peer through the tree
tops to the sight of Openbill storks flying to their roost across
the water.
The villa has shelves full of books inviting
all guests to take and deposit their favourites as they visit.
Although your hosts request that the wildlife and bird books
remain for the next twitchers.
Room View
 
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