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MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN - JUNE 2018

6O1A2646

 

Dear Trade Colleagues,

We wish you a warm ‘Ayubowan’ all the way from Sri Lanka, and welcome again to yet another exciting episode of ‘Journeys’.

This month, we introduce to you a unique accommodation option in the historical city of Kandy under Experiential Accommodation. This delightful, owner-run place is a great option for anyone who wishes stay close to and yet away from the noise of the bustling city centre. You are bound to enjoy your stay as the owner, Naeem, is a great host to be with and a true Sri Lankan with a great passion for hospitality.

This time, under ‘Real Local Experiences’, we give you a peek into a very special industry, which is the ancient art of making of clay roof tiles. Your clients are definitely going to be excited by this entire experience, will thoroughly enjoy their visit to the tile making factory and will come away with many fascinating stories to tell.

The month of July is the season for ‘bear’ necessities! As the ‘Palu’ fruit (a yellowish-green oblong fruit renowned for its medicinal properties here in SL) comes into season, our usually shy and elusive friends, the Sloth Bears can be observed feasting on the ripening fruits in the jungle. Read all about this unique phenomenon of nature below.

You will meet Prof Sarath Kotagama, the renowned Ornithologist and Conservationist of Sri Lanka under ‘Hosts You Will Meet’.

In terms of sustainability, we have a very successful Drinking Water Policy that we are truly proud of. We are pleased to say that we provide safe and quality drinking water to all our valuable guests, and have completely stopped the practice of single-use plastic bottles in our tours, making us truly sustainable in business.

Furthermore, in the ‘News from the Group’ section, you get to read all about a new and exciting camping experience we organised in Doluwa, a town in Kandy.

The sunny isle of Sri Lanka has so much to offer...keep discovering and exploring with us!

Anuruddha Bandara (A B)
Founder
Experiential Journeys



Planet over Plastic…More Steps Forward

On updating our Drinking Water Policy, we now use refillable glass bottles to avoid the usage of single-use plastic water bottles to minimize the negative impact on the environment. We purchase 20 litre purified water bottles from a supplier, certified by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution and refill 400ml glass bottles with them. These 20 litre bottles are filled from hygienic and safe water sources to ensure we serve safe drinking water to our guests whilst protecting the environment and the health of our visitors. As we all know, plastic bottles when exposed to the sunlight for an extended period of...
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Professor Sarath Kotagama

Professor Kotagama has lectured at the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo and at the Zoological Division, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka since 1974, reaching Senior Lecturer - Grade I by 1997. Between 1989 and 1990, he served as Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation on secondment. In 1997, he was appointed a Professor of Environmental Science in the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo holding it until he gained Professor Emeritus status on retirement. He also served as the Head of the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. Currently he is a Scientific Advisor...
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‘Palu’ Season Comes Alive…

As the ‘Palu’ season sets in, it is the best time to visit Wilpattu, Yala and Kumana, some of Sri Lanka's gorgeous National Parks, looking for the elusive Sloth Bear as it ventures out, enticed by the aroma of its favourite food! The period from May to July is the time that the ‘Palu’ (Manilkara hexandra) trees come alive, filled with ripe golden and scented fruits within the dry zone jungles of Sri Lanka. If there is anything that's irresistible to a wild Sloth Bear, it's the scent of the juicy ‘Palu’ fruits. These giant furry black lumps will climb their...
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Combining the Four Elements of Nature - The Making of Clay Roof Tiles

The tradition of the clay roofing tile dates back almost 10,000 years, making this the oldest form of roofing in history. Traditionally made from clay or terracotta in this part of the world, roof tiles combine the classic four elements of Nature: Earth, Water, Air and Fire along with human artistry. The clay roof tile manufacturing industry offers a durable, UV and fire resistant product with a life expectancy of nearly 100 years and sometimes longer. Visiting a clay roof tile factory in a little town in the north-east of Sri Lanka will be a unique experience for your clients, as...
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The Mandarin Hill Residence

The Mandarin Hill Residence Welcome to the Mandarin Hill Residence, which is situated 8 km from the majestic and timeless city of Kandy. This unique property features panoramic vistas of mountains and rivers along with a stunning view of the famous Adam’s peak in the distance. The Mandarin Hill Residence has a terrace and a shared lounge, as well as on-site dining. The property is 6.2 km from the Sri Dalada Maligawa which is the focal point of the Kandy City. The rooms have private balconies that promise scenic views of the forest and river below. This is an excellent place...
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Our policy in discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

Animals Are Friends Too: Discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

We at ExJ stay away from tourism experiences that are staged and involve animal cruelty and shopping traps that are contrived to exploit and deceive clients.

Even though some of the popular ‘attractions’ are not included in our programmes due to the above reasons, we have no objections in our clients making their own arrangements with our Drivers to visit these places.

 

Why we do not promote following attractions

 

Turtle Hatcheries

As this concept has serious negative aspects in terms of conservation, we do not encourage our visitors to patronize the turtle hatcheries, as not all of them are really turtle-friendly. We instead encourage them to observe turtles in their natural habitats.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we became aware that the animal welfare standards there were questionable, we stopped encouraging our clients to visit the orphanage. We are pleased to observe that the Born Free Foundation has now adopted similar measures.

Elephant back rides – Habarana

There’s uncertainty surrounding the attitude of this place towards animal welfare. There may be a few ethical operators, but in general, we are not in agreement with how the place is run. We all would love a photo of us riding an elephant, but is a lifetime of pain caused to these magnificent mammals really worth a few fleeting likes on social media?

Traditional Village Tour with a Canoe Trip and Bullock-Carts – Habarana

This is a tourist trap where a lot of the trip is ‘staged’ for commercial purposes. Such fake touristic experiences will not give our visitors an idea of what life in the country is really like, so join us as we show you the real side of Sri Lanka. And at the end of every vacation, always ask yourself, “Did you feel that your holiday was ethical, eco-friendly, and reduced environmental impacts?”

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