Hubby had to see an ayurvedic doctor for his heel pain in Horivila, close to Habarana. So on Saturday morning, we packed our kid, clothes and breakfast into our Nissan March and started off at 5.30 am. Well, when we actually got out of the house it was 5.45 and the sun was already out, but no matter. Hubby was grumbling a bit, but I was in great spirits and Kid was already curled up at the back, giving gentle snores. Perfect!
We made quick time and hubby and I chatted quite a bit until I reclined my seat and had a small nap. When I woke we were already in Kurunegala and quite famished. Made short work of the sardine sandwiches I made the night before and we all munched on a lovely box of grapes I bought at the local Cargills.
We reached Habarana in record time, at around 10 am and then proceeded to Horivila to visit the Ayurvedic doctor. Let me tell you, I have never seen so many mangoes in.my.life.ever. Had I died and gone to mango heaven? There were all kinds of mango stalls, from crude tables to more permanent structures to mangoes in bowls placed on rickety stools and chairs, just outside houses. The prices for those green and gold beauties were always between 15-20 Rupees each. I wonder if the locals also bought them for the same price. Anyway, I bought about 20 mangoes from different sellers and they cost me a total of 400 rupees or so. A bargain by Colombo standards!
This was not a real holiday as we had made our way to Horivila in order to get hubby's heel pain treated. So with the strict budget in mind, Hubby said we would be staying the night at the Habarana Rest House. Surprisingly, when we arrived at Habarana from Horivila, Hubby drove right past the Rest House. I looked questioningly and he said let's drive to Dambulla to have some lunch. Hmm.. pretty expensive lunch to be driving all that distance is all that I allowed myself to think!
Final destination for the day :Thilanka Resort and Spa! I had always wanted to visit, after reading so many great reviews of it! And the pictures!
Well, a bit of background. This was originally a mango (yes! again!) plantation and the hotel was constructed 2 1/2 years ago. There is a cemented pathway that starts from the carpark and which goes right down to the lush gradens and is supposed to be one mile long. The entire land goes into several acres and apart from the mango plantations, I saw a largish banana plantation, mini papaya trees heavy with fruit, cashew nut trees here and there (with lovely golden cashew apples hanging like bulbs) and the most beautiful emerald green paddy field, right there next to the hotel.
More in the next post!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment