Surrounded by rolling hills carpeted in neat rows of lush green tea bushes and sunsets and daybreaks that burst the sky into flares of colour, is Mandira Craig Appin, the latest of a chain of holiday bungalows operated by Sunshine Travels and Tours.
A subsidiary of Sunshine Holdings, Sunshine Travels and Tours runs bungalows set in some of the most scenic locations in Sri Lanka. The Craig Appin Bungalow is located in the Dickoya estate in Hatton, and is a peaceful escape from the clamour and commotion of everyday living.
Built in the early part of the 20th century to serve as a home for planters of a bygone period, the bungalow still retains the same architectural splendour of colonial times. Although the bungalow has now been upgraded, great care has been taken to preserve the original look and feel of an old colonial planter’s home.
Every element of the bungalow, from the furniture and wall hangings to the shades of paint adorning the walls enhance the ambience and romance of a previous era. Not only does a sojourn at Craig Appin Bungalow mean you can experience this charming setting, it also means you will be treated to the same luxuries and indulgences of a time gone by.
On arrival at the bungalow, guests will meet the white-sarong-and-shirt-clad Appu (or butler) and the Operations Manager, whose responsibility is to personally see that guests’ needs are met. A unique feature of staying at the Craig Appin Bungalow is that guests are made to feel at home. Instead of a form to fill at a reception, you are met with friendly staff making conversation, carrying your bags to your room and serving you steaming cups of tea. Instead of having your meals at a preordained time and place, you can have your meals at leisure, in the dining room or out in the beautiful garden. If you want to be woken up at four in the morning to catch the early morning rays, all you have to do is make a request and at the stroke of 4am there will be a knock on your door with the Appu standing outside, morning tea in hand. Guests have the luxury of communicating their specific needs directly to the Appu or Operations Manager, who will do their best to oblige with the assistance of other staff members.
Taking pride
At Craig Appin Bungalow, the staff not only meets the needs and fancies of guests, they take pride in doing so. Discussions are held with guests to determine what kind of food they prefer and how they would like it prepared. Although there are menus for guests to select from, they act as a conversation starter about guests’ partialities and penchants, rather than a list of dishes that guests have no option but to pick from. Variations of items on the menus can be suggested or something completely new can be requested. The chef excels in both Western and Eastern cuisine as well as a range of delectable desserts. In addition to being able to enjoy meals personalized to your palate, you are also given the option of having your meal arranged in the garden outside. On a sunny day, with a breathtaking panorama of a valley of tea bushes before you, dining outside becomes yet another indulgence of colonial living.
The gardens
The gardens surrounding the Craig Appin Bungalow have been beautifully manicured and arranged to best display the surrounding mountainside vistas. It is a tranquil place to spend an afternoon admiring the scenery with a cup of tea. Within the garden itself, there is much to appreciate. Taking into account the sloping hill that it is perched on, the garden is laid out in tiers and nurtures beautiful flowers like roses, lilies, petunias, cannas, anthuriams and dahlias that thrive in the crisp climate. There is also a patch of vegetable garden, where tomatoes, carrots, salad leaves and various other produce keep the bungalow’s kitchen well stocked with garden-fresh foods.
Venturing outside
If the desire arises to venture outside the bungalow, there are picturesque roads and pathways lined with tea bushes that make for pleasant walks. For rainy days, the bungalow stores indoor games like scrabble and monopoly as well as the traditional carom and chess. A TV and DVD player in the lounge will also provide hours of entertainment enhanced by mugs of hot chocolate to keep you cosy and warm.
The Craig Appin Bungalow is in a central location that provides easy access to scenic sights like the Castlereagh reservoir and the Devon and St. Clare’s Falls. Excursions can be made to a spice garden, dairy farms and tea factories. The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is a drive of an hour and a half from the bungalow and Adam’s Peak is only two hours away.
The other bungalows operated by Sunshine Travels and Tours, Mandira Dick Oya Bungalow and Mandira Strathdon Bungalow, are also located in the Hatton area. While they are all old planters’ homes, each has its own identity, layout and character. Therefore, while each will provide guests with an experience of life during Colonial times, the experiences will be varied.
Future plans
In the future, Sunshine Travels and Tours hope to operate holiday bungalows in all parts of Sri Lanka. The experience the bungalows will offer will be that of old Sri Lanka. The locations however, will be varied, from the southern to the eastern coasts. No doubt the experience at each of these bungalows too will be personalized, intimate and one of a kind, just as it is at Craig Appin Bungalow.
source - www.dailymirror.lk
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