We are settling into a routine here at the Wellness Centre, up at the crack of dawn and walk up to the yoga centre. Rahul did all the same, breathing, stretching and relaxation moves we are used to now. After we had passed through the yoga churn we partook of our breakfast.
Our first break from tradition came when we indulged in the Sri Lankan version of breakfast. Their day starter closely resembles all the other meals. Several different types of curry. The only difference came with the removal of the rice and its replacement with a rice cake. I ate most of the curries but left the rice cakes. I won’t choose the Sri Lankan breakfast option again.
A quick shower and another change this time we set off for the Santani River Walk. We gathered together outside the restaurant with 6 others. Sandhu our guide gave out special gaiters to protect us from any leeches which might attack us on the trip. These gaiters fitted inside our shoes and rose up to above the knee.
We set off on the downhill trek with Sandhu pointing out observations of pythons, cobras and other dangerous snakes. We also learnt about several plants on the way including mahogany trees and citronella.
The walk lasted just under 2 hours, an easy journey downhill and a much more tiring uphill hour on the return. Maggi and I both had a shower when we got back to our room and thankfully saw no signs of leeches.
Apart from a brief spell swimming in the pool we spent the rest of the day in our room or in the restaurant resting or eating.
The Architecture of Santani Wellness Centre
The resort built for Dumabara Hotels in 2016 by the architects Thisara Thanapathy Associates https://www.thisarathanapathyassociates.com and who described their work in the following ways.
Spreading over a vast hilly terrain, Santani,was built as an architectural refuge, away from the consumerist lifestyle of the modern day. Strongly inspired by the unique context, the design expresses to be a harmonizing detail to the landscape instead of dominating over its natural presence. The relationship is as such that the built forms connect the landscape and the landscape connects the built forms as a flowing spatial experience. The simple structures disappear into the landscape, mastering the spiritual tranquility of its surrounding.
All of the floors in the rooms and public spaces are made of the popular smooth concrete. Our room, like all the 16 others offers one outstanding view of the landscape and is surrounded by walls made of concrete girders. The rooms that sit hovering over the jungle exposes the visitor to the sounds of the animals and occasional the visual presence on the balcony.
Architectural images from Santani