Courtyards Verandahs in the Footsteps of Geoffrey Bawa 2013

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Courtyards & Verandahs in the Footsteps of Geoffrey Bawa

To travel Sri Lanka with a discerning eye in appreciation of the arts and architecture is sought after by many avid

travellers. With the inspiration of Geoffrey Bawa who redefined Sri Lanka architecture and significantly influence

South-East Asian architects, one can only be in the very best of hands.

Day 1 Airport - Kandalama: About 4 Hours Drive

Having arrived in Sri Lanka you will be greeted by both our Jetwing representative and your chauffeur guide at the

airport itself. Take a leisurely drive, just about four hours into the depths of the island the Cultural Triangle and

check in to your hotel. You will realize that the very structure of tonights hotel in Kandalama is well worth this

journey Heritance Kandalama is built not on flat land but upon a mountain side, surrounded by a jungle and

overlooks the Kandalama Lake. You will find that the simple geometry and lack of decoration of the building, helps

to highlight the natural environment. To share an anecdote it was related that when Geoffrey first built the hotel, he

told hotel management that one day it would peer out from under a canopy of lush vegetation. They didnt

understand what he was describing. Today, they say he had described the hotel exactly as it is.

Day 2 Kandalama Sigiriya Polonnaruwa - Kandalama: About 4 Hours

Drive



Explore the cultural triangle and head out just twenty minutes away to mount Sigiriya - a 5th century fortress in the

sky, which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the island. It is also referred to as Lions Rock because of

the huge crouching lion image that is carved at the entrance to the fortress.

Next drive to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, which takes about two hours drive one-way. In

fact, Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13

th century A.D and one of the better kept

ruins of ancient Ceylon. During this time, great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically as well

as socially. While walking about you will see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya - where three splendid

statues of Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedantry', and 'Recumbent' postures are carved out of the rock, the Audience Hall,

and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the Great.

Your chauffeur guide will help you arrange lunch at a local restaurant before returning back to the hotel to unwind.

Day 3 Kandalama Matale or Kandy - Bandarawela: About 6 Hours Drive

Take a scenic six hours drive toward Bandarawela. Either one could break the journey at the Matale Heritage

Centre you can view the artistic designs of Mrs. Ena de Silvas a close friend and collaborator of Geoffrey Bawa

who contributed many artefacts to his projects. Today Mrs. Ena de Silva is well known for her local batik work.

Whilst you are at the Matale Heritage Centre we would recommend grabbing a bite for lunch from the 3 different

type of rice and over 30 curries. Alternatively, why not drop by the city of Kandy where you will be visiting the

Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses Sri Lankas most sacred relic, a tooth of the Lord Buddha. The Temple

itself dates from the 16th century and is entered via 2 doors showing mythical beasts.

Continue on your journey and you will also be passing Sri Lanka's tea growing region. During the drive, relish the

endless views of tea carpeted valleys, processing factories belching out fragrant aromas and the bright flash of

female "tea pluckers" in their pimento, fuchsia and cerise saris picking their way through the plantations. Enroute

visit a tea factory where the process of tea producing and grading will be explained. You will also be able to taste a

cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.



Day 4 Bandarawela Dickwella Galle: About 7 Hours Drive

After breakfast drop by the granite built Bandarawela Chapel of the Good Shepherd's Convent, which designed

both by Geoffrey Bawa and Ulrik Plesner.

From the hills of Bandarawela descend over seven hours to reach Dickwella and then Galle. Enroute admire one

of Sri Lanka's finest views and visit the Rawana Ella Falls. The dramatic Rawana Ella Falls are 49 metres high and

follow the water cascading down the mountainside in a series of mini waterfalls.

Arrive at the coast of Dickwella to visit Fitzherbert House, now known as Claughton House, which too was built by

Bawa. Then drive towards Galle and en-route drop by another of his work the Ruhunu University Campus and

the Matara Office building. Once in the town of Galle walk through the Dutch Fort- a UNESCO world heritage site

and look out for the old Dutch Church as well as the bastions. After an eventful day relax and unwind at the

Geoffrey Bawa designed Jetwing Lighthouse featuring wide open spaces combined with magnificent views of the

garden and sea.

Day 5 Galle - Bentota: About 3 Hours Drive



Since Geoffrey Bawa designed not just hotels and other public buildings, but also private homes, this too is a must

see. In the past we have been attained permission to visit the homes of Mr. A.S.H. de Silva on Woodward

Mawatha, Galle and the home of Duchini & Jayakoddy in Bentota. In between we recommend having lunch at the

Hotel Heritance Ahungalla, where Bawa created features such as interconnecting expanses of water lead the guest

into the hotel. For evening tea, drop by Geoffrey Bawas country residence Lunugana where you will find that

nature has been incorporated in the very design of the house. Spend the night at a boutique hotel, Club Villa too

built by himself.

Day 6 Bentota - Colombo: About 3 Hours Drive

On your way to the capital Colombo, visit the five star minimalist hotel The Blue Waters, Wadduwa designed by

Geoffrey Bawa. Once in Colombo, take an exterior tour of the current Sri Lankan House of Parliament. Finally,

arrive at his very residence at No. 11 for a comprehensive tour. The evening continues with dinner at his former

office, the Gallery Cafe and if possible with the company of Channa Daswatte, who trained under Bawa.

Day 7 Colombo - Airport: About 1 Hour Drive

As all good things must come to an end, your chauffeur guide will comfortably take you to the international airport in

time for your return flight.

Alternatively, you could always extend your holiday and explore other creations of Geoffrey Bawa such as Mohotti

Wallauwwa, the Piliyandala Education Centre and more.

END OF SERVICES



Terms & Conditions

Your Holiday includes:

- Per person cost of twin-sharing accommodation - Transport by private air-conditioned car or van and services of English speaking chauffeur guide for the entire

duration

- Local government taxes & service charges - Meals: Dinner & Breakfast - Entrances: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Ancient City of Polonnaruwa -

Your Holiday excludes:

- Meals: Lunch - Visas - Travel Insurance - Optional tours & activities - Flights - Airport taxes - Activities & highlights - Camera & Video permits at cultural sights - All expenses of personal nature - Tips and portage; if you are satisfied we recommend tipping your chauffeur guide - Spa and Wellness treatment

Reservation, Cancellation Policy & Notes :

- All reservations subject to availability at time of booking - Quote is subject to availability of rooms, tax increases, price fluctuations and any peak season supplements. - The cost is based on cash basis. For any other method of settlement whether it be cheques, drafts, credit cards or

debit cards we will entail a service charge. - For cancellations within 30 days before the date of arrival 100% of the holiday program will be charged - For further details about the cancellation policy please refer www.jetwingtravels.com - The standard check in time in Sri Lanka is 14:00 hours and standard check out time is 11:00 hours - All drive times are approximate and are subject to change

Courtyards Verandahs in the Footsteps of Geoffrey Bawa 2013

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