Trip to Kalutara
We decided to get out of the city and spend the weekend at a resort in Kalutara (about 45km outside of Colombo), called the Hibiscus Beach Resort. Like many resorts in so called “developing” countries, fancy resorts are situated amongst some of the poorest neighbourhoods. There are several such neighbourhoods up and down the beach from the Hibiscus Beach Resort, where people live in makeshift housing, share a common water supply and can be seen flying kites and hand washing clothes outside. We are told that these neighbourhoods were like this prior to, and not a direct result of, the Tsunami. However because of the Tsunami, the people in these areas have been offered land elsewhere as compensation. They are told that it is for their protection, but likely there are other motivations for moving the poorest people off ocean front property and away from the tourist resorts. Either way – the people will not leave.
Abandoned “Health Centre” on the beach. Perhaps used after the Tsunami?
The resort is lovely and we were offered flow leis and cool drinks upon arrival. It is a relief to get away from the noise of the city as we live in a very busy area. Everything is very inexpensive for us including mai tais – hurray! We are offered hour long massages for $10 US each and although we are used to more therapeutic, deep tissue massage from a giant ex- SFU football player and massage therapist, named Loris, we thought that we would give it a try. The massages were full body and interestingly my massage included a frontal massage. I guess that explains why the male masseuse was so adamant that he only did men! After the massages we are covered in head to toe with herbal oils, and were told not to go into the pool for at least 30 minutes. So we sat out by the pool covered in oil (something that likely has not been done since the 70s) and I start to get crispy. Even after several showers with soap and exfoliating body scrubs I still can’t get the oily feel out of my skin! The water here is very soft and with the heat and humidity, even without being coated in oil, your skin feels dewy and slightly sticky most of the time.
Rob on the Beach at the Hibiscus Beach Resort.
Men fishing in Kalutara
Abandoned “Health Centre” on the beach. Perhaps used after the Tsunami?
The resort is lovely and we were offered flow leis and cool drinks upon arrival. It is a relief to get away from the noise of the city as we live in a very busy area. Everything is very inexpensive for us including mai tais – hurray! We are offered hour long massages for $10 US each and although we are used to more therapeutic, deep tissue massage from a giant ex- SFU football player and massage therapist, named Loris, we thought that we would give it a try. The massages were full body and interestingly my massage included a frontal massage. I guess that explains why the male masseuse was so adamant that he only did men! After the massages we are covered in head to toe with herbal oils, and were told not to go into the pool for at least 30 minutes. So we sat out by the pool covered in oil (something that likely has not been done since the 70s) and I start to get crispy. Even after several showers with soap and exfoliating body scrubs I still can’t get the oily feel out of my skin! The water here is very soft and with the heat and humidity, even without being coated in oil, your skin feels dewy and slightly sticky most of the time.
Rob on the Beach at the Hibiscus Beach Resort.
Men fishing in Kalutara
posted by ~chill~ at
6:05 PM
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