The tiring flight to the remote island was quickly forgotten, as soon as we landed we were greeted with a smile from our host Chamil, who was holding the Tara Garden sign. We were immediately fascinated by the upbeat and for us chaotic lifestyle of Colombo, but as we were driving away from the capital, the noise and the crowd disappeared with it.
We entered this surreal village that seems somehow detached from the outside world. We were served a breakfast with the fresh local fruits. I may have been influenced by the beautiful suroundings, but that was the best pinapple and banana i've ever tasted. The villa is amazing and the pool is great. You can rest in the evening with a coctail next to the water.
Every morning you are served fresh fruits. Thanks to Sousil you are eating like a king. He is not only a good cook but also a great person. He is charming, modest and always ready to answer all of your questions. He always plans ahead and adjusts his style of cooking to your taste. I recommend choosing the traditional local food, the srilankan cousine is very simple and delicious, always using fresh ingredients around you. Sousil will always impress you with his food.
We went to the fish market. You should go early because later the good fish are sold and also the sun comes up. That was a great experience, you get to know their culture and also the fish are very cheap compared to european prices. Later we saw the turtle hatchery and the herbal garden, both were interessting and educational. In the afternoon we went to the incredible Bentota beach, a beautiful sand beach with warm water, which we later visited every day. If you want to swim I suggest you go in the morning when the water is calm. In the afternoon the big waves come. It's fun to be in the water with them but you have to be careful not to go too deep because of the currents.
Sri Lanka is definitely a country worth visiting and Tara Garden puts you right in the heart of it. Sorrounded by the jungle, the rice fields and the tourist attractions, like the Udawalawa National Park, the river safari on the Bentota river, the Big Buddha Temple, Galle and others, you get to experience their culture with a luxourious touch from the newly renovated villa.
