Joanna James
Bentota, the town located on the famed southern coast of Sri Lanka is every beach lover's dream. However, once you probe beneath the surface, Bentota has so much more to it.
Brief Garden by Bevis is present around ten kilometres away from the town of Bentota and was the countryside retreat of Bevis Bawa. The house is now open to the public and is akin to something out of a fairytale. The twenty acre compound has around one hundred and six tree species and countless other fauna, all of which have been impeccably placed to give a well thought of design. The garden is still frozen in its original design while the inside of the house carries numerous pieces of art. The garden consists of many paths, all of which trail back to the house, so do not worry about losing yourself. However, to make the task simpler, you can ask the staff members for a map. Brief Gardens is a popular attraction among visitors to the town so your resort in Bentota will have no difficulty organizing a tour for you.
This is one of the most essential experiences in the area. Astonishingly, five out of the seven species of endangered sea-turtles can be found in Sri Lanka. At the turtle hatchery, you can learn a great deal about these creatures, and depending on your timing, you could be part of introducing baby turtles back into the ocean.
If you want to take a peek into a complete Buddhist temple, the Kande Viharaya is where you should visit. A temple that is highly revered by the locals, it regularly attracts throngs of faithful pilgrims who wish to pay homage to Buddha. It has a relic chamber whose walls and ceilings are adorned with artworks that depict the history of the country and Buddhism. The Bo Tree inside the premises is thought to be over three centuries old. Also, do not forget to pay a visit to the image house. With an eye catching design, this seventeenth century structure contains even more artwork about the Buddha. this hallowed temple even has a library that houses a number of valuable books. The Kande Viharaya is inland and away from beachfront resorts like AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa which means you might have difficulty getting there on your own. Nevertheless, as with the above option, chances are that your hotel can and will organize a mode of transport to enable you to get to the Kande Viharaya.
Take a peek into one of the finest architectural works by Sri Lanka's legendary architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Known to have an unparalleled effect on Sri Lanka, the Lunuganga Gardens was his countryside home. It is a massive garden estate that stretches for fifteen acres and is set right by the Dedduwa Lake. The estate is well known for its combination of multiple architectural ideas. Some parts of the garden exhibit an Italian Renaissance feel while other parts feature the distinctive British Colonial era architecture. The chipped stone sculptures further add to the overall rustic appeal. The inside of the house is quite sparse but still emits a minimalistic appeal. There is a handful of paintings hung around on the walls that are quite breathtaking and are thought to have been painted over three decades ago.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
