{"id":29019,"date":"2014-03-27T01:17:14","date_gmt":"2014-03-27T05:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=29019"},"modified":"2014-03-27T01:22:23","modified_gmt":"2014-03-27T05:22:23","slug":"eastern-escapade-at-uga-bay-sunsurf-and-fun-amidst-a-personalised-paradise-in-passekudah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=29019","title":{"rendered":"Eastern “Escapade” At Uga Bay: Sun, Surf and Fun Amidst a Personalised Paradise in Passekudah"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

By<\/p>\n

Marianne David
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 6 a.m. in Passekudah and the skies are grey-blue with some low-lying clouds on the horizon. It\u2019s already light out although the sun is yet to rise and it\u2019s time for a jet-ski adventure before it gets too hot to venture out to sea.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The perfect place to relax and unwind<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite the early hour, Manjula, the hotel\u2019s jet-ski expert, is ready and waiting and life jackets on, we\u2019re good to go within minutes. It\u2019s my first time on a jet-ski and I am slightly nervous despite being eager to try it out. Thankfully, Manjula is reassuring and very much in control.<\/p>\n

We head out slowly and as I get used to the controls, it\u2019s time to speed up, with this machine able to reach 130 kmph. There\u2019s a world of a difference though when Manjula takes over, switching keys, and he goes full speed ahead. Drenched in sea spray in no time, I am thrilled to bits by the exhilarating experience.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Suddenly he changes direction and as we watch, riding towards the clouds, the sun breaks free and rises into the eastern sky. It\u2019s a brilliant feeling, riding towards the sun rise and being bathed in its heart-warming light\u2013 joyful and uplifting, absolutely unexpected.<\/p>\n

At 6 p.m., I find myself on the jet-ski with Manjula again and we see the sun set from out at sea, another unexpected encounter that brings on wide smiles all round. Having realised his goal of spreading happiness, Manjula is just as happy as I am.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make people happy and when they get off the jet-ski happy with the experience, I am also happy,\u201d he says, with a grin.<\/p>\n


\nSlice of paradise<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re at Uga Bay, a luxurious boutique hotel that offers personalised pampering in Passekudah amidst sun and fun, and I\u2019ve escaped from the stifling heat of Colombo for the weekend to enjoy a weekend in this slice of paradise.<\/p>\n

A Rs. 900 million investment, Uga Escapes is the leisure arm of the Finco Group of Companies. The resort is one among a line of hotels on a beautiful and pristine stretch of beach, boasting soft white sand and calm blue seas.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>

An aerial view<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cPassekudah is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. With so many hotels next to each other, Passekudah is becoming a fun, hip and happening place again. There are five hotels operational right now and around five more should commence operations this year. Passekudah is an amazing place and excitement is only going to keep building for Passekudah as a destination,\u201d asserts Uga Bay General Manager Roshan Dylan.<\/p>\n

Uga Bay is definitely doing its part in this revival, offering guests culinary experiences, exciting excursions, water sports, live bands, a fully-functioning beach bar with happy hours, and a spa which will be up and running under its own brand within two months.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Uga Bay pool at night<\/p><\/div>\n

The hotel has been fortunate in getting one of the best stretches of beach in Passekudah and has been built in such a way that all rooms feature ocean views and access to the beach.<\/p>\n


\nBlue, white and green<\/strong><\/p>\n

At Uga Bay, guests can immerse themselves in the brilliant blue and sparkling white, interspersed with a green oasis to soothe the eyes in the form of well-kept lawns and lush greenery, says Uga Escapes Marketing Manager Ashan Wijewickrema.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s spot on with this description: As we enter the property, which is built on a Mediterranean theme, the blue, white and green greets us, welcoming us into a luxurious haven.<\/p>\n

Having reached our destination in the late afternoon, we stop to gaze at the stunning ocean view beyond the infinity pool lit up by blindingly brilliant sunlight before we head to the restaurant for lunch, where we are served a sumptuous Sri Lankan meal.<\/p>\n

Checking into my room soon after, I am tempted to stay there enjoying the panoramic views it offers, located right in front on the beach. The water proves too tempting though and it\u2019s time for a dip, followed by dinner \u2013 a barbeque on the beach as a live band plays, providing the perfect setting.<\/p>\n

Everything\u2019s designed to ensure a delightful time and as the food sizzles on the action stations and the sushi sits on ice, we relax and enjoy the music, wandering over to the buffet spread from time to time and indulging in the culinary offerings, sipping on delicious drinks all the while.<\/p>\n


\nExciting excursions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The next morning, fully refreshed after a good night\u2019s sleep in the luxuriously-appointed Beach Studio and breakfast, which starts off with the Uga breakfast tray followed by individual mains, we\u2019re off to Batticaloa to explore the town, including the Fort \u2013 where the jarring sight of the gallows is alleviated by the stunning views over the lagoon \u2013 and we also visit two kovils and the St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral.<\/p>\n

Passekudah is an ideal base from which to explore Sri Lanka, with good roads and many places of cultural interest located one to two hours away. Places to explore include Minneriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Thoppigala and Batticaloa, amongst others.<\/p>\n

\u201cUga\u2019s excursions are designed in such a way that you have everything you need from start to finish, featuring a personal butler travelling with guests instead of merely handing them a picnic basket. There is an Uga signature experience besides the excursion experience,\u201d says Roshan.<\/p>\n

Food to the fore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Uga Bay also pays a lot of attention to food, as our poolside dinner on the second night reveals, where we are served delicious drinks and canap\u00e9s, followed by a menu featuring several salads, including the signature Uga salad, soups, a choice of mains ranging from Lobster Thermidor (a large serving of an entire lobster, with every bite divine) to Australian Beef Tenderloin, along with vegetarian, chicken, pork and fish options.<\/p>\n

The dessert offering is equally extensive but I stick to the chef\u2019s special recommendation \u2013 the delicious lava cake, warm chocolate with vanilla ice cream. The tiramisu I had the day before was equally delicious \u2013 a pot of pleasure you can\u2019t finish alone, given its richness and size.<\/p>\n

\"Uga<\/a>

Uga Bay General Manager Roshan Dylan<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe believe food is a major part of the travel experience and we\u2019ve created the Uga Culinary Group, where all F&B staff and chefs from the group get together in one forum and develop culinary concepts for Uga \u2013 that\u2019s how the breakfast tray was conceived. It\u2019s a very good substitute to a buffet in a certain way and gives you what you want to start off your day, when you probably don\u2019t want to think too much,\u201d explains Roshan.<\/p>\n

Uga Bay pays special attention to a la carte over buffets and Roshan asserts preparing food to order is the future of how people eat. However, it also features theme nights, Saturday barbeques and Sunday brunches.<\/p>\n

Culinary experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n

In terms of experiences, there\u2019s cookie making classes for kids and cooking experiences for adults as well.<\/p>\n

One exciting excursion features crab, which starts with catching it and ends with consuming it on the beach. Guests can assist fishermen reel in the crab catch off the coast of Batticaloa, sail back with their pick, partake in a cooking class on the beach and then eat.<\/p>\n

To make the experience even more memorable, Uga Bay serves up the crab on little chopping boards with wooden hammers. Later the name of the guest is hand-carved on the hammer, which is presented to them as a memento.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, Uga bakes its own bread, makes its own jams featuring local flavours (rhubarb and red chillie is one variety), makes its own sausages according to a special recipe, is looking at making its own tea blends, and grows the greens that go into its signature salads.<\/p>\n

Uga\u2019s little greenhouse is a must-visit and Uga also offers a dining experience inside the herb garden, where you sit at a log table surrounded by greenery and watch the chef cook up your meal.<\/p>\n

\"Manjula<\/a>

Manjula heading out on a jet ski<\/p><\/div>\n

Exciting times<\/strong><\/p>\n

With all this and more on offer, it\u2019s excitement all around for guests and the resort. As Ashan confirms: \u201cThis is an exciting time for Uga Escapes as we make a firm commitment to investing in our marketing strategy to raise awareness of our hotels and develop a strong brand presence within the upmarket hotel industry in Sri Lanka and internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outlining the story behind the delicate lotus that is embossed in the property\u2019s offerings, Ashan says that for Uga, the lotus represents purity and the cycles of life: \u201cIt rises from the muddy earth, through water, light and air, through all the elements of the cosmos, until it blooms and starts its cycle once again. At Uga Escapes, the lotus functions symbolically as an eloquent metaphor for the regeneration of the soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

A weekend here will undoubtedly soothe the soul and leave guests relaxed and refreshed, after basking in personalised luxury and enjoying the sun, fun and excitement in a place that is best described as a slice of paradise. COURTESY: DailyFT<\/em><\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Marianne David It\u2019s 6 a.m. in Passekudah and the skies are grey-blue with some low-lying clouds on the horizon. It\u2019s already light out although the sun is yet to rise and it\u2019s time for a jet-ski adventure before it gets too hot to venture out to sea. Despite the early hour, Manjula, the hotel\u2019s …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘Eastern “Escapade” At Uga Bay: Sun, Surf and Fun Amidst a Personalised Paradise in Passekudah’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29019"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29019"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29055,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29019\/revisions\/29055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}