The Commons Coffeehouse, Colombo

The Commons

There is something common about The Commons with Cafe Che. It's another cafe concept from the Harpo's Group and it's all about providing a common place for people to chill, eat and meet up.


Bottom L-R: Rotti with Devilled Crab Meat- Rs. 265, Mandarin Juice- Rs. 295, Rotti with Brownie and Chocolate Sauce- Rs. 235, Mandarin Frappe in the background- Rs. 285

Coincidentally, this coffeehouse is a walking distance from the place I am staying put. I've been here on 2 occasions on the weekend. I must say I quite like the comfortable and cozy environment where one can choose to sit at the couch areas (great especially if you're with a bigger group) or at the normal tables and chairs area (the only downside is there fit too many tables at one place and can get slightly congested when there's more customers).

The cuisines are not anything extraordinary, you get the usual cafe offerings- sandwiches, wraps, burgers and pasta which are all very modern Western fares. Apart from that, you also get the rotti variety- Rotti: If you're familiar with Malaysian or Singaporean cuisines, it's the same as Roti Canai or Prata. Usually rotti is eaten with sambal or curry but here they offer a slight twist to cater to the non-Sri Lankan customers. There are a variety of savoury and sweet fillings to choose from. I had the Devilled Curry and Brownie with Chocolate Sauce versions. Both taste good and definitely simple but satisfying.


Baked Crab- Rs. 560

On my second visit, I tried the Baked Crab dish which proves to be a combination of crab meat, onions, cous cous and a host of other spices, and cheese baked. It was quite comforting especially eating them with the toasted garlic bread and hot potato wedges.

The beverages are towards the pricier end in my humble opinion, but this is where I get my fix of Mandarin Frappe. There is nothing more satisfying to a meal than having a glass of chilled Mandarin juice or frappe.

Free wifi is also available here. Perhaps my only grudge is that the VAT + Service tax which amounts to 25% of the meal! Expect to spend at least Rs. 800 - 1000 for a decent meal.

Also read:
Cafe Che, Colombo


The Commons
39A, Flower Road,
Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.
Biz hours: Sun - Thu 11am - 10pm, Fri - Sat 11am - Midnight
Delivery available: 4869000
Website: http://www.thecommonscolombo.com/

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Celebrating NY in Colombo

Are we at the right place? It was kind of sponsored by an airline, hence the theme

Being away from Dec - Feb means I'll be missing out on all the major celebrations back home: Firstly it was my birthday, Christmas, NY, CNY, Valentine's Day and not including a few major celebrations/ parties at the work place. It's true- there's always parties, major events, and celebrations when you're not around!

And me being socially inactive (I usually choose to hibernate on 31st and sleep through till 1st) thought I'll just be hanging out at my apartment balcony, maybe have a solo toast to the year of rabbit (my year btw), watch some fireworks and snooze through the night. But then my colleague asked if I wanted to join her in the celebration at one of the hotels. It's never polite to say no to hospitality and who knows the Sri Lankans usher in the NY differently, right?


NY party at Inter Continental Hotel Colombo

Well, apparently hotels here tend to organize parties in conjunction with major commercialized celebrations like Christmas and NY, and these parties are done ala your high school prom / annual dinner & dance style. One would need to purchase tickets to get in and boy they are not cheap too! I've heard some of the better hotels were selling their party tix from Rs. 10,000 (RM280-300ish) and usually includes dinner. My colleague got a cheaper deal of Rs. 3,000 (RM80ish) which includes breakfast.

Now I had the same question in my mind as you have: Breakfast?? Doesn't the party starts at night?


Party like it's the last day of the year!

Well, then I found out... the parties usually starts at 8pm and ends about 6am! That's why you have breakfast- can't be partying till 6am without any food, huh? Anyway, I think you get what you paid for. The DJ (claimed to be from Down Under but seemed like a local dude to me) was horrible, the only consolation was the band (coincidentally the same band the company hired for the family day) but after the 12am countdown, they started belting all the Sinhalese songs... there were few other activities and some lucky draw giveaways but you bet I was already yawning. Also, I had in mind that it was going to be a poolside kind of party with fireworks- not staying inside a ballroom!

We left at 4.30am and I would have been happier snoozing my way through NY.

p/s: Another colleague told me this is NOT the way Sri Lankans party. Hmmm, I have no idea but it was definitely an 'enriching' experience!

Unawatuna, Poya Festival and Hikkaduwa

Unawatuna beach

Unawatuna is one of the many other coastal villages in Sri Lanka located 112km down south from capital Colombo. However, among the other southern coastal areas, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are the two more popular locations and here you will find more foreign presence, interestingly many European travelers especially Germans love to come here for vacation. Some of the locals can even speak German!


Unawatuna beach

I talked to one of the restaurant & guesthouse manager and he told me that there are many foreigners especially Europeans who are regular visitors here and even bought lands to build their summer villas! What a life! I also met a German who has since made Sri Lanka and Unawatuna his home and even have a resort & dive center business here.


Poya Parade

During the duration I was here, there was also a Poya Festival, which is a monthly Buddhist festival to celebrate full moon (there is a Poya public holiday every month- so that gives the Sri Lankans an automatic 12 public holidays a year!). There was a Poya parade and it was nice to see one as I doubt I would have the chance to see it in Colombo. During Poya, the people generally abstain from alcohol and all entertainment places are closed.


Hikkaduwa beach

Hikkaduwa is another famous beach, 98km down south from Colombo. Here, you'll find alot of guesthouses, budget inns, and landmark hotels lining the roads. I find the waves considerably strong here while the sea is blue and beautiful. Again, like the beaches in Matara and Unawatuna, there is only a thin fringe of sandy strip and you don't see a sea of beer bellies, beach chairs and umbrellas too! (read: Phuket)


Lunch stop at Refresh Restaurant; Grilled Shark Steak- Rs. 890; Default drink: Ginger Ale!

On my way to Matara and back to Colombo, my driver dropped me at Refresh Restaurant at Hikkaduwa for lunch (suspect that he is paid a commission for it). I know how much most of us fancy and get excited at the thought of dining at the beach side (like the famous Jimbaran Bay in Bali) but here, you'll get to dine in front of the sea and hear the waves pounding at the bay too!


Refresh Restaurant at Hikkaduwa; Hot butter calamari- Rs. 990

I had a shark steak on my first visit and a hot butter calamari on my second visit- am feeling the cholesterol! The food are priced at the lowest of Rs. 800 for mains and can go up to Rs. 2000-ish for seafood like crustaceans.

Although both Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are considered touristy, I think it is still peaceful and less congested than the Patong @Phuket and Kuta @Bali. At least you won't trip over a beach chair and lost amongst the thousands of beach bummers here.

Also read:
Sri Lanka- Matara


Refresh Restaurant
184, Galle Road,
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka.

2010 and looking forward

It is always interesting how we tend to look back in the year that has just passed and realized that there are so many things we could have put a little bit more effort and done better, did differently, or wish never done at all.

2010 has been a fantastic year despite all the comments going around that it's going to be another tough and challenging year (it is but I always believe that after every storm, there is a rainbow). There were times when the year just whizzed by but also slow and dreadful moments, whatever it is "in a blink of an eye" we have already stepped into 2011 and to sum it all up, 2010 was a great year!

Great times indeed!


Well, let's put the year behind in pictures!

> Been to the overcrowded, overrated and definitely oversunburnt Phuket



> Been to Hangzhou & Shanghai



> Could have gotten a super duper trooper epic swarm badge here at the Shanghai World Expo 2010



> Been to Bandung, Indonesia for shopping and just shopping



> Been to the magical Bali and had some best BBQ ribs in the world!



> White water rafting at Sg Padas, Sabah



> Currently posted to Colombo for 3 months, and it has been nothing but an eye opening journey



> Diving was in my 2010 NY Resolution list, got it fulfilled when I was in Unawatuna last week... in fact I failed cos I couldn't cope in the water but at least I've tried, and not lovin' it!



> The only sorrow that 2010 brought was the passing of grandma after months of coma. And I also lost a friend to a road accident.



Moving on to 2011, with years of experience in making empty resolutions, I've come to learn that I should just stick to those that is achievable (by spending a bit of money) and not vague stuff like 'be more hardworking and get more A's' - that is so high school.

So with this blog as my records keeper, my 2011 Travel Resolutions and things to achieve are as below:

> Visit the paradise of Maldives (since I'm gonna be in the region till end Feb '11, might as well make it happen?)



> Bungee jump at the world's tallest jump location- The Macau Tower (233m)



> Visit Cambodia & the breath taking Angkor Wat (which is happening in June- highly likely to achieve this)



> Perhaps revisit Hong Kong or Taiwan for a gastronomic adventure



> Tryout for the Amazing Race Asia Season 5! I know it sounds ambitious but it would certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that money can't buy!



How does your 2011 list looks like?

Baked Crab at Raffle's, Colombo

Raffles Restaurant; 100 year old building

Continuing on my journey in search of the best of Colombo is Raffle's, a not-so-old restaurant in a very old over 100 years premise. While new restaurants and cafes are booming in the post-war Colombo and choose to be at the more happening and recognizable addresses such as Ward Place or Galle Road, Raffle's is itself nestled within colonial settings and well secluded from the heat and rush of the city. Entering the restaurant, one gets transported back to the old British colonial days.


The interior; Ceasar Salad with Cajun Chicken- Rs. 385

With such colonial setting, one can only expect to have a bar that has that similar feel and environment. The thing with these old and historical establishments is perhaps not the food but the ambiance itself speaks a thousand words.


Personal wine locker; Signature Baked Crab- Rs. 425; French Onion Soup- Rs. 225

I came here with the sole intention of savoring the famous signature Baked Crab. It comes in two serving options, as appetizer or mains with the latter being a bigger crab obviously. I had the appetizer portion instead as I was also having a soup and salad. Judging from the pictures, the salad is nothing spectacular and the soup is just so-so. However, if there was a smell to the word 'baked', you bet I could smelled it when the crab arrived. The smell of baked fresh seafood is so distinct... I had a few bites but it was too salty and was going to give an unpleasant verdict but the waiter volunteered to have the kitchen whip me another one when I gave him the feedback. The second crab was indeed just nice, the smell, the baked taste of fresh crab meat, a tinge of saltiness from the mustard seed.

If there's any way I want to eat my crab, I want it this way without the hassle of using my fingers, pliers and hammer! So, come for the crab and skip the rest.


Raffle's Restaurant
35, Bagatale Road,
Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
(next to Malaysian High Commission)
Website: www.rafflescolombo.com

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Matara in pictures, Sri Lanka

During the weekend (my weekend actually stretches 10 awesome-day long, with weekends, a couple of annual leaves and the Christmas holidays in between), I headed down south from the hustle bustle of the city to the more peaceful and serene seaside of Matara. It is about 3.5 hrs journey by car.


My way, your way or the highway

The distance from Colombo to Matara is only about 140km, much less than KL - Ipoh which only takes about 2.5 hrs. The issue here is the roads, unlike M'sia where all the states are connected by at least 4 lane highways, to get around the country here is through what we call trunk roads back home: 1 lane to and 1 lane back. The driver skills and precision is put to test when overtaking slow vehicles especially lorries, buses and tuk tuks.


Scenic journey

While a journey on the M'sian highways may seem boring (all you see is trees, trees and trees), the scenic journey here makes up for the lengthy car ride. Now, I know most of us get excited at the sight of passing by the seaside, and that's what you get here! Clear blue seas, the locals having a frolicking good time, fishermen hauling up their trade, and the colorful tuk tuks parked at the roadside... just to name a few sights.

Well, less words and enjoy the pictures of Matara- these are some of my favourite shots!


The locals having a splashin' good time at the sea during sunset


This was the view I wake up and sleep to every day


And when sunset takes place


The iconic stilts fishermen of Sri Lanka


Fisherman of Matara


Fishmerman of Matara clad in sarong


A lonely fisherman trying to have some small catches


Nature taking its course


Boys catching fish


Smile for the camera!


Look what we've caught!


I've got some fishes too!


A typical seaside village

********************

I've dedicated a label on 'budget hostels' which aims to provide other budget travelers an honest and pictorial review of the budget accommodation that I've stayed in. I usually book my budget stays through hostelbookers.com or hostelworld.com. Most of the time, it is price vs. comfort, you can't have both on two extremes. What I ultimately look for in a budget accommodation is hygiene, condition of the place, price and location. I'm not too bothered with service criterias or the facilities. I have had a few experiences with budget accommodation when I traveled to Vietnam and China so I didn't hesitate to go budget again in Matara.


Beach Inns surrounding

I had initially wanted to go to Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna but all of the budget hostels in the two towns were fully booked and finally I found Beach Inns in Matara which coincidentally also runs a diving school. There wasn't much reviews on it but it was going on a steal of only USD14 a night, so I did not hesitate further and placed my booking for 4 nights with a 10% deposit (which only equate to about USD5).


Beach Inns; breakfast in the morning; clean bathroom; decent and basic room

Beach Inns is located at the Polhena beach front. Matara itself is less touristy and popular compared to Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa, hence it is generally quiet and serene and a few of the budget holidaymakers that I spoke to told me that is the reason they enjoy their stay at Beach Inns. The rooms are basic and decent, refurbished due to the destruction caused by the tsunami a few years ago, with clean bathroom and an amazing view. The service staff is helpful, courteous and polite and the manager is also a dive instructor who is well traveled, hospitable and speaks good English. Beach Inns also has a working kitchen so there's always food available. Perhaps the only grudge I have is the annoying bugs at night (mosquito net is readily available though)! I think overall, Beach Inns has surpassed my expectations of being not only value for money but also a great place to meet other like-minded travelers and having a taste of the local non-urban culture.

Excel World, Colombo

Keeping the distance between the elephant & me

I am always delighted to meet people who tells me that they've been to Malaysia or KL. There is an instant connection in the conversation- as though we have done something together and he/she understands what I am talking about. In one of my earlier conversations with one local colleague who is coincidentally a traveling auditor, he mentioned that we have nice theme parks such as Sunway Lagoon.

Unknowingly, I brushed off the comment with an 'Oh really? I think it's just normal..."

Well, that was before I came to know what the standards of a theme park in Sri Lanka is like.


I think the Sri Lankans can sing really well

2 weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see for myself what the local theme park, or rather I would call it an amusement park looks like as the company was organizing the annual family day at Excel World. To manage my expectations, my colleague warned me that it may not be what it is like back home.


Inflatable castles- nothing extraordinary but kids love it!

Excel World is the first and only amusement place in Colombo. Sad to say, it is run down and not properly maintained and perhaps have seen better days. I was told that it is not a culture to have theme park outings amongst the Sri Lankans, perhaps because it won't be cheap and people usually visit Excel World for the food court rather than the entertainment section.

Some of the pictures I took around Excel World and the stuff we did for the family day:


A game of basketball shoots- the traditional way, not the arcade version!


The candy floss man


Adventura- hmmm


Drawing & painting competition going on


I think these are some very good paintings


What rides does your theme park has?


The usual suspects in a theme park- Merry-Go-Round


Myself with few other colleagues


The clown needs to be entertained


Strikes 'Bowling alley'


I think those are Mars bars up for grabsss (I'm sure you know machines like this is a con!)


The arcade is popular amongst the kids- I would too if I was a kid!


Entrance to Snow World... perhaps the only place you'll ever find 'snow' in the whole of Sri Lanka besides the freezer at home


Kids love snow and ice

And last but not least, you know you're in a Sri Lankan theme park when........


... the tellytubbie mascot is skinny!

obviously he doesn't eat much McD compared to the real American tellytubbie!

After a visit here, I definitely feel lucky that our theme parks are of better standards and have higher entertainment value.


Excel World Entertainment Park Colombo
383, Darley Road,
Colombo 2, Sri Lanka.