 | Kimbulagala Watte (Crocodile Rock), South Coast, Sri Lanka |
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| Our Inspection | |
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| | 29-Jul-2010 |
| Character/Charm | 9/ 10 |
| Location | 7/ 10 |
| Outside Area | 8/ 10 |
| Living Area | 8/ 10 |
| Kitchen | 8/ 10 |
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| Bedrooms | 7/ 10 |
| Bathrooms | 7/ 10 |
| Facilities | 6/ 10 |
| Staff | 8/ 10 |
| Value | 8/ 10 |
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| REVIEW |
| Overall Comments: |
As soon as we walked into Kimbulagala Watte we felt immediately at home. We came with no expectations and loved how the warmth and spaciousness of the house plus its private lake views were immediately disarming. It was easy to settle into these tasteful surroundings. There’s a staff team of three and Shashika’s in charge; she only comes to cook in the evenings if you ask her to (Rs 1,000 charge plus food costs) otherwise she and the houseboy will go home at 3pm leaving you the house to yourselves. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to cook your own dinner (although the kitchen and its facilities are excellent) as Shashika can prepare meals – such as curries – in the afternoon leaving them ready for you to heat up later. I liked the privacy this arrangement gave us in the evening even though the resident watcher was around to help us lock up the house and turn off all the lights.
We certainly didn’t mind the lack of TVs or internet at the house; it’s just not that type of place. Watching fishermen in the lake, listening to birdsong and laughing at the antics of monkeys made a welcome change from watching TV. The book collection is big enough to keep even long stayers amused and the extensive veranda offers plenty of spots to sit. The lake setting is glorious and if you’re lucky to be sleeping in the master bedroom (it’s by far the biggest and the only one with a direct lake view), make sure you wake early, fold back the doors and lie in bed looking at the mist that creeps slowly over the still water.
If you don’t have a car it is possible to rely on tuk-tuks here as long as you take one of the directions cards with you so you know how to get back – it’s tricky. The guest book is filled with useful titbits of advice about places to go as the owner encourages guests to write down the names of restaurants, attractions and shops they have visited during their stay. |
| Read More |
| Highlight: |
| I loved this villa’s perfect get-away-from-it-all location picturesquely overlooking Koggala Lake which was so peaceful. If you do need stimulation, however, there are plenty of restaurants, shops and attractions that are between a ten- and 30-minute drive away. Fishermen often come right up to the villa with their catch-of-the-day; while we were there the ‘crab lady’ made a visit and we bought a huge mud crab (make sure they are alive when you buy them) that Shashika immediately made into a curry for our dinner. You can’t get fresher than that! |
| Surprises: |
| The house is not recommended for the under fives due to the steep terracing and number of sheer edges where they could easily fall. Always take care when walking on the polished concrete floors as they can get very slippery when wet. The house is isolated and not for anyone seeking nightlife and lots of conveniences on tap. |
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| DESTINATION |
| Surrounding area: |
Kimbulagala Watte is quite isolated (despite there being a handful of other villas tucked into the verdant hinterland) so having your own transport to get around is highly recommended. Exploration of this sleepy village is best done on foot, however, and it’s a joy to wander along these quiet back lanes and experience a way of life unique to this lakeside region. An even better way to explore this region is atop the lake itself; take off by boat to visit spice gardens, cinnamon factories, temples and indulge in a spot of bird watching. These trips are most rewarding in the early morning or late afternoon.
There are no restaurants within the immediate area, but going further afield, our dining recommendations are ERA Beach (7km) for succulent steaks, KK (6km) for evocative daytime dining so you can enjoy the views (afternoon tea is a treat) and Italian-owned Why Beach (6km) for exclusive private dining beside a stunning swimming beach; you can spend the day here atop sea-view loungers but bookings are essential and best made in advance. The Fortress Hotel (4km) is also nearby and here there’s a top class spa plus a small boutique selling glamorous beachwear and other tourist souvenirs. The Handunugoda Tea Factory (3km) is famous for its exorbitantly-priced white tea that can be bought (fortunately) in miniscule quantities alongside all sorts of black tea and herbal remedies. Kids will love the Sea Turtle Hatchery in Habaraduwa (5km) whilst the famed Buddhist Ginigalla temple in Kathaluwa (1.5km) is one of the most historic temples around and famed for its ancient painted murals. |
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+65 6475 3121
(Singapore, +8hrs GMT)
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| customerservice@phvillas.com |
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