Curated Local Experiences in Sri Lanka
by Serendipity Experiences
Explore
Colombo
EXPLORE THE ANCIENT CITY OF KOTTE
Take a stroll through an ancient kingdom right in the bustling city of Colombo.
Once a flourishing kingdom in the 15th century, it ruled the island for nearly
200 years and played a significant part in the path of the future of Sri lanka. It
not only united the country under one flag with the help of the Ming dynasty,
it also famously welcomed the Portuguese to the island in a devious manner
that created folklore amongst the community. It is currently home to the
countries parliament and is the capital of Sri lanka. The Kotte kingdom made
many contributions to the arts, heritage and culture of Lankan way of life.
Some of which can still be seen in old ruins, temples and architectural
structures found in this area. It is believed most of the ruins are under or
behind the backyards of modern houses n Kotte. The kingdom was set right in
the middle of a vast complex of natural urban wetlands that were engineered
by men for the protection and agriculture purposes of the kingdom. The
natural habitat is home to many species of birds, reptiles, and mammals and
feline. From the predatorily saltwater crocodile to the illusive endemic fishing
cat and curious water otter. This area is protected under Ramsar wetland
conservation sites. The host is a local kotte resident who has been involved in
lobbying for conservation and sustainable practices in the island for almost a
decade. His passion for history and architecture goes hand in hand with his
dedication for a sustainable future in the Island. Here the stories of his
hometown and learn about a forgotten kingdom.
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.
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