Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebrations at Cinnamon Lodge hotel, Habarana.


Masked traditional dancers. waiting for their turn.

Nearly 25years old, this resort type hotel is a favourite haunt of many visitors from around the country. Situated in the North Eastern area, though the occupancy falls below average the Cinnamon Lodge lies in a most peaceful surrounding with a lake bed in it's grounds.

At any given time of the year there are over 50 species of birds in the gardens of the Hotel.

On the 12th of April the staff don their New year outfits and open 'petti kada' (village teashoppe) for the visitors and residents of the hotel. There follows many traditional New Year games that all can participate.

Hit the pot blindfolded



Pillow fight





Pin the eye on the elephant




Jackpot gambling with either dice or playing cards


There were all the sweet meats laid out, with 'toddy' for the more robust and soft drinks for the others. The atmosphere, pleasant and amenable we saw all the gathered having a blast of a time participating in almost all the games.

The rooms of the hotel range from Suites named after trees (4) to chalets. The deluxe rooms offer one bath and a lovely newly designed shower cubicle which is actually spacey and has more room than most other luxury hotels. There are many small luxuries placed in the room with DVD player, Mini bar, Satellite TV channels and tea or coffee making facilities.

The restaurant is a large area which can sit over 500 guests and serves buffet meals when the occupancy is higher. My favourite meal of the day would have to be the breakfast that cater to all taste buds. This is one hotel that serves wholemeal bread and buns and a range of fruits and cheeses out of Colombo.

With a shallow shelf raised half a foot, a adult pool and the kiddies pool runs nearly 40meters. A breathtaking collection of tiles of blue, black and turquoise, this is the finest pool in the area.


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