Curated Local Experiences in Sri Lanka
by Serendipity Experiences
Explore
Colombo
EXPLORE THE ANCIENT CITY OF KOTTE
ARRACK TASTING
Enjoy an evening of tasting varieties of Arrack with an expert mixologist. Learn about the origins of arrack and its significance in the region. Your host will guide you through the various ways arrack is consumed in the Island along with condiments that are eaten along with it. The famous Aliya (Elephant) cocktail, the tea-infused arrack cocktail Toddy tappers punch and Arrack Obama are just a few of the cocktails you’ll get to enjoy in this experience.
EXPLORE SLAVE ISLAND
Explore the streets of Slave Island, a bustling trade hub in the heart of Colombo that dates back as far as the time of the Portuguese. This experience fluidly combines some of the most interesting, yet unknown, sides of Colombo. The capital city is a densely packed metropolis with influences, both, local and colonial. The walk focuses on the economic, colonial, cultural and religious history of Colombo, with a particular emphasis on the famed area of Slave Island. A network of intricate ferry lanes and canals crisscrossed this area not too long ago. Tributaries of the Beira Lake snaked across Slave Island, and the ferry was the main mode of transport, at one point, for the influx of goods and people to this commercial hub. The Slave Island Railway Station, too, was an important part of the country’s economy as all the tea from the inland areas was, first, transported here prior to export. It still functions normally but, today, it is restricted to the passage of commuters to and from Colombo. Slave Island was, once, the economic center of all-Colombo. The richness of this experience is, further, embellished by the host’s background. Of Dutch Burgher and Sinhalese origin, his family once occupied a part of Slave Island. This highly personal perspective affords him the ideal lens to bring to light the numerous sides that Slave Island has to offer. His motivation to curate and host this experience stems, not only, from his geekish love of history but, also, from his keen interest in cultural preservation through sustainable means
OLD PORT CITY ARRACK STORIES
“a marriage of bourbon and rum, but with a stronger, burning kick and a mysterious bouquet” Anthony Bourdain
Arrack has one of the oldest stories in the ancient world, the name derives from the meaning Arak which means distillation in the ancient world. This beverage is predominantly distilled from coconut, sugar cane and red rice in South Asia and Southeast Asia, mainly in Sri lanka. Hardworking Sri Lankans for hundreds of years have been drinking a fermented beverage known as Toddy from both coconut and palm, it was the English colonizers that introduced distilling to the Sri Lankans that helped create the much famed Arrack. Arrack for a long time has been known as the poor man’s drink, however after new refined techniques that bought out various flavor profiles, arrack has reached the threshold of high society as an expensive scotch or bourbon. Coconut toddy was the drink of choice for the hard-working folk of the Colombo port and Pettah bazaars. After the early 1900’s the drinking culture of the old port city was introduced to British distilled Sri Lankan arrack, which is still as popular in the street of Colombo. This tour revolves around these very establishments and their people. The Metropolitan Bar is a hole-in-the-wall joint right next to the Colombo port, it is your quintessential dingy bar with flare and character. It is said that this bar has more customers in the morning than in the evening. One of our other visits is to a Military bar with limbless army vets who have stories for eternity, we indulge in its unique pub food and an arrack fit for a 3-star general. While we visit a few more bars the last bar we visit is older than Independence and served officers from the British East Indian Company and World War 2, it is known to be a bar that serves an arrack you can only drink from the bar. The host for this experience is a fun-loving local from Colombo. His in-depth knowledge of his city, its food and beverages along with his likeable personality makes it for an unforgettable night
MUNCH AROUND COLOMBO
Colombo is the island’s most populated city is home to many communities. It is said that at one time close to 40 communities were living in this old port city. All this diversity has greatly influenced the island’s culture and heritage, particularly in the food scene. This experience revolves around those communities and the food scene they helped influence. We begin this tour watching the sunset from the famous Galle Face Green while enjoying its most renowned street food, fried prawn biscuits or isso wadei. Once dusk falls we make our way to the night markets of slave island, where a minority community in the island known as the Sri Lankan Malays began life. The food stalls you see here were created by the community for the community, which is home to some of the last snacks and dishes of the Malays. We then make our way to a 150-year-old tea shop, serving hot teas, hoppers, palm treacle sweets and many more for the hard-working blue-collar folk of the city. It’s an establishment not to miss. With a few more community eateries to visit and hear stories from, the only task here is to manage gut space for this unforgettable experience is one to be till the end. The host for this experience is from one of the minority communities of Colombo, his in-depth knowledge makes him a great ambassador for the city and its food. His personal stories of the city and these food establishments will leave you feeling like you’ve always know this city and its people.
CULTURE CAB
The old financial district of Colonial Ceylon has attracted many traders, merchants, day workers, religious folk and colonizers from around the world for two millennia. This makes this old port city a melting pot of culture and community. This experience revolves around this very story. The host is from one such community in this cosmopolitan city, he has lived through many highs and lows of this city. Visit some of the key religious sights, forgotten museums lost forts and some of the newly emerging institutions of Colombo. Meet and chat with some of the locals that call this dynamic city home while you sip and snack on some of the local delicacies only found in Colombo.
Explore
South
EXPLORING AMBALANGODA'S
ARTISTIC LEGACY
Spend the day with a celebrated local artist from Ambalangoda, exploring his hometown which is rich in culture and history and is renowned for its contribution to Sri Lankan arts and crafts. From a Puppeteering family whose hosted shows to Royalty for the last hundreds of years, Mask makers carrying on the tradition for generations, Batik fabric producers create some of the most intricate detailed work in the riskiest ways. This experience provides you an exclusive insight into the lives of these artist’s workshops, spaces and homes. You will also visit South Asia’s tallest bell tower, the longest Buddha statue and many more surprises. Your host is an established award-winning artist who is featured in many magazines and documentaries. He’s currently involved incurating Sri Lanka’s very first underwater museum where guests will get a chance to visit his workshop and witness some of the sculptures being produced to be dropped down into the ocean
AN EVENING OF LAGOON FISHING
Enjoy an evening fishing with the local fisherman of Rathgma. The Lagoon is a big part of the local community and is home to a variety of marine life. The lagoon is famous for Catfish, Barramundi, and Thalapila, a fairly large lake fish. One of the largest species of prawn can be found in these waters along with the mud crab. Make your way out through the lagoon to the fishing harbor. Pick the fresh catch from the boats coming in and enjoy a seafood BBQ by the beach. Includes: Host, local fisherman, fishing rods, and boat ride.
TODDY TASTING
Enjoy an evening of toddy tasting hosted by a local agriculture expert. A non-distilled natural beverage used for medicinal, culinary, and recreational purposes. It is brewed from both long fishtail palm flowers and coconut flowers. Taste this sweet
Explore
Hills
MOKE AROUND KANDY
Discover Kandy in style with a 4-5 hour vintage car tour, starting at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. Begin with a stroll through the stunning gardens, then head to Kandy View Point for panoramic city views. Visit the bustling Kandy Market and explore a private gem museum to learn about Sri Lanka’s gem history. Enjoy a scenic drive around Kandy Lake and the city center, followed by a relaxing drink at a members-only bar or the historic Royal Bar. Optionally, complete your experience with lunch at the whimsical Helga’s Folly.
ADVENTURE OF THE LOST BEANS
Way before Sri Lanka was known for Ceylon tea, this island was number 1 for commercial coffee growing. The humid rainforests and central highlands made for perfect growing conditions of high-quality Arabica beans. Ceylon coffee played a significant part in the old Dutch East Indian company. The early 19th century saw the demise of this crash crop, due to a disease known as the leaf rust disease that brought Ceylon coffee to a halt. A hundred years passed during which these plants were pushed back to the rainforests until the early 90s when the concept of specialty coffee was introduced to the world and coffee explorers went in search of these lost Arabica beans. Hansa Coffee, one of the first specialty coffee producers in the island, roasted these beans and took them to coffee conventions, which tasted the emergence of new taste profiles, It was discovered that natural mutations in the rainforests for hundred years caused new gene makeupsthat led to new taste profiles. The 21st -century Sri Lankan coffee boom is still in its early years.This experience takes you on a tour of these very rainforests and the different types of coffee beans that freely grow. The host has a background in organic farming and a deep love for coffee. Learn about the stories of these lost beans while enjoying these breathtaking rainforests. Conclude the excursion with a coffee tasting of different roasts from different roasters of these lost beans.
DISHES FROM THE MANOR
Kandy, tucked away in the central hills of the island, was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. It is known to be the final refuge of life before and during colonization. Along line of prominent Aristocrats, leaders, Planters, artisans, and sportsmen have deep-seated roots in the history and heritage of Kandy. This authentic culinary affair revolves around one such family. This experience begins at their family manor, where guests get an exclusive insight into this vibrant home and garden. At the foothills of the manor are acres of paddy land, an indication of the fertile land the manor stands. Guests begin by harvesting and foraging for fresh seasonal produce from the family farm and then help traditionally prepare family-favorite authentic dishes. Learn about the family history and recipes, while you dine in a mouthwatering meal, savoring the ambiance. The host, a cuisinier learned from generations of women like herself is not only a custodian of these old family recipes but an innovator not afraid to create something new. Her insightful knowledge and graceful attitude will make you feel right at home.
AN EVENING AT A COFFEE ROASTERY
Coffee, the world’s most popular beverage was first commercially grown in Colonial Ceylon. In fact there are more years of coffee growing in the country than tea. The humid rainforests of Sri Lanka made for some of the highest quality coffee to grow and was the go-to cash crop for the Dutch East Indian company. After coffee production peaked in the late 18th century, it all came to a halt due to a disease that wiped out the whole industry. More than 200 years later, the coffee bushes that were exiled to the rainforest have slowly been making a comeback. This experience revolves around a personality and business that pioneered the resurgence of these delicious beans. This is the story of the Island’s first specialty coffee brand that has educated and advocated for high-quality coffee production through the conservation of our ecosystem. Take a tour through the old tea bungalow turned coffee roastry and learn about the pain-staking process to make some the world’s best coffee. Meet the faces that run this fully female-operated business while you enjoy an evening of tasting the various roasts produced by this ethical enterprise
THE SERENDIB CHOCOLATE STORY
Cocoa or “food of the Gods” as it was known during the Mayan empire is one of the island’s best shade-grown crops. Introduced during the early parts of the 18th century from Central America, the clay loam fertile soil of Ceylon made for the highest quality of Cocoa to be grown. This experience centers around an artisan chocolate producer tucked away in the central highlands of the Island. Their goal is to produce premium dark chocolate from the highest quality beans. Dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, and chocolate truffles are a few of the products that are produced out of cocoa and coconut sugar. The host is a farmer and conservationist that grows and endorses produce that helps build up the eco system in the country. Cocoa is one such shade-grown, forest-loving product in Sri Lanka. Tour this old tea bungalow turned chocolate factory and learn about the philosophy of the business while you consume you delicious chocolate to your belly’s content.
Explore
East Coast
EXPLORING KONESHWARAM
The tour begins from Fort Frederick, which surrounds the remnants of the temple complex. The colonial style buildings in the fort complex tell a tale of the French and Danish settlements that landed on these shores for various reasons. Your host and avid historian with a South Indian and Dutch burgher mixed heritage is an ideal personality to take you on this wondrous journey on one of this island’s greatest marvels. Hear the stories of the treasures found during the filming of Sri Lanka’s first underwater movie, The Settlers of the Fort, and the archeological finds in this 2500 temple structure.
TRINCOMALEE WWII HISTORY
It’s almost a forgotten fact the role this tiny island played during Second World War. The British had occupied Sri Lanka from 1796, But after 1917 the country did not have a regular garrison. That all changed once the war began. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force established Naval installations and aerodrome in Trincomalee. Trinco is home to the 3rd deepest harbor and the 5th largest natural port in the world. Along with its strategic positioning, it plays a vital role in defences from back in the day to modern times. After the fall of Singapore, Trincomalee became the HQ for the British eastern fleet under Sir James Sommerville. Trinco Harbor protected 36 vessels when waves of Japanese kamikaze suicide squads attacked the peninsula during the Easter Sunday raids. Due to its natural defenses, the Japanese managed to sink only two cruisers and an aircraft carrier along with blowing up an oil tanker. This tour covers locations that played a part during the occupation of the Eastern fleet. From warehouses that stored weaponry to sites where the Japanese kamikaze blew up and many more. End this tour at the World War 2 cemetery that honors the souls who gave their lives in Ceylon. Hear the stories from your host with South Indian, Sinhalese, and Dutch burgher origin. His narration will take you back to a time of uncertainty and danger.
Explore
Negombo
NIFTIES IN NEGOMBO
Famously known as Little Rome, Negombo is a coastal town 45 minutes from the Colombo Airport. Perhaps one of the first towns to embrace Catholicism during the Portuguese period, it now has the Largest Catholic community in Sri Lanka. Explore the hidden treasures of this thriving town with visits to the legendary fish market, where the fresh catch comes in straight from the ocean andis either sold at the busy market minutes away or sun-dried out in the open sand. Visit the ancient temple of Agurukaramulla, which has paintings done by renowned local painter Solias Mendis. The temple is also home to a 300-year-old library that boasts an extensive range of books. Explore one of the oldest Dutch forts in the island in Negombo and drop in at the home-turned-museum of Rukmani Devi, considered as the ‘Nightingale of Sri Lanka.’ End your evening at a local hangout sipping locally brewed Lovi-lovi wine and Jaffna rolled cigars.
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