25/09/2014
★★★☆☆ Central Heritage Bungalow offering you the very best of Traditional Sri Lankan living, plus fantastic in-house dining, using seasonal, locally sourced produce.
Centrally located, midway between Dambulla and Kandy, within the Cultural Triangle, you can either relax and enjoy memorable day trips to nature parks, ancient temples or fabulous heritage sites, like Sigiriya.
1. Sigiriya and Dambulla
Considered by many in Sri Lanka to be the “eighth wonder of the world”, Sigiriya is a twelfth-century summer palace built atop the famous Lion Rock by one of Sri Lanka’s powerful kings. The Rock Temples at Dambulla, unchanged for 2,000 years, are a major site of Buddhist pilgrimage, crowned by the largest Buddha on the island. A visit to the bustling, multicoloured Dambulla vegetable market late in the afternoon is not to be missed - 40 minutes’ drive from CHB
2. Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park
Enjoy a cycle ride around the extensive and peaceful ruins of thirteenth century Polonnaruwa, one of the major ancient capital cities in the heart of Sri Lanka. En route, visit a local wood craft shop and return via Minneriya National Park to see Sri Lanka’s largest herd of wild elephants grazing in the late afternoon sun by the huge Tank (manmade lake) - 60 minutes’ drive from CHB.
3. Matale and Kandy
Visit some of Sri Lanka’s most amazing Buddhist and Hindu temples in Matale, including the historically important Aluvihare Rock Temple; it was here that Buddhist texts were first written down in Sri Lanka, so paving the way for the Sinhalese alphabet. Then on to the Botanical Gardens in Kandy with its broad avenues and rare plants. Plus seats at the unique early evening Kandyan Dance display, and finally a visit to the stunning world-famous Temple of the Tooth at sundown - 60 minutes’ drive from CHB
4. Anuradhapura plus Aukuna
Anuradhapura is the jewel in the crown, the largest of the ancient cities, which remains a major centre for Sri Lankan Buddhism. See the Buddha’s bodhi tree, brought here 2,500 years ago from India, one of the oldest living things on earth.En route visit the Aukuna, the largest standing Buddha carved from a single piece of rock - - Two hours’ drive from CHB
5. Tea District
Nearby Matale is home to some of the best tea estates in Sri Lanka. We can arrange visits to see the daily tea picking and weighing in, followed by lunch at a traditional estate bungalow, then on to a nearby tea factory to see the tea processing and enjoy a tea tasting session. Combine with a spice garden tour on your return - One hour's drive from CHB
6. Elephant Orphanage
Visit the world-famous, unique Elephant Orphanage at Pinnewela. Feed the baby elephants; watch the whole herd parade through the village for their daily bath. Great to combine with an afternoon visit to the Botanical Gardens in Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth tour - One and a half hour's drive from CHB
new Elephant Orphanage has opened at Rittigala, near Habarana; currently 8 baby elephants are being cared for before their release back into the wild - One and a half hour's drive from CHB
Other local attractions include: Ahelepola temple i n our village where the Chief Monk can explain the principles of Buddhist practice and philosophy;
Kawatayamuna
Budd hist temple , with its famous wall paintings; Wahakotte Catholic Church , foremost in Sri Lanka; Nalanda Gedige and Menikdena , two local hidden ancient sites; and Popham's Arboretum, the leading collection of indigenous trees.
7. Local/Family Activities
- Sri Lankan Cookery Lesson with our Chef - Find out how to select the best ingredients for a traditional Rice and Curry from the Farm's vegetable and herb garden and the local village stores; prepare your curry sauces, fruit and vegetables and then cook over an open fire, using our own cinnamon wood for maximum flavour. Then share your own Sri Lankan Rice and Curry lunch with your party. Cost $10 per person for your cookery lesson,including of course your own lunch.
- Maps are available for local walks or short tuk-tuk rides; local sites include:
a) Local Paldeniya Raja Temple , 3 kms from Jim's Farm; easy walk or tuk-tuk ride.
Claims to be the original Buddhist Temple where the first Buddhist scripts were written - hence the first ever Sinhala texts - before the scripts were transferred to the Aluvihare Temple in Matale for safer storage. The site is also the ancient home of the Prince of Ahelepola, who fought against the Kandyan King's capitulation to British colonialists. You can see the Prince's House, the beautiful Temple and the old Prison.
As a national hero the young prince is revered for his bravery and commemorated by a golden statue in the village.
- Visit our local Buddhist temple - learn about the practice of Sri Lankan Buddhism and receive a blessing from the resident Monk
- Buddhist Seminary , home to two Buddhist nuns, in a beautiful paddyfield setting, again in Paldeniya, an ancient local village. Also visit the British Colonial Court, the new Court building and the adjacent Doctor's surgery and pharmacy.
- Go shopping in our local town of Pallepola , 20mts from CHB. Visit the Buddhist College in the heart of the town; supermarket, ATMs, cafe, pharmacy, doctor's surgery, newsagent etc. all available.
Cycling -2 bikes available
- Volleyball and badminton available
- Golf - The Victoria Golf Club in Kandy has one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in Asia
- Walking in the Knuckles Range - natural springs/lakes for bathing
- Bird-watching ;more than 90 species have been spotted here on the Village and in adjoining paddy fields, including wild peacocks and eagles.
- Driving the hotel's Tuk-tuks around the village
- Elephant and horseriding at Kandalama Hotel, Geoffrey Bawa's most famous, natural architectural project
- Local Spice Garden visit to learn about ayurvedic practice and massage
- Haggling with the Matale spice traders - amazing value v Western prices!
- Visit to colourful, bustling Dambulla Fruit and Vegetable Market
EcoPark or Minneriya National Park for elephants and wildlife Safari
*****
FOOD
Traditional Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
Coconut sambol
Dhal Curry
Jack Fruit Curry
Potato Curry
Brinjal Curry
Chicken Curry
Pork Curry
etc. .
WESTERN FOOD
Burgers
Chips
BBQ
Shawarma wrap
Soup
etc. .More and More
THANK YOU. .
