Day 2a | Giritale Hotel And Environ

In my earlier entry I have shared snippet of Giritale Sunset. Here, I would like to share the outlook of the place where I stayed.

Sri Lanka entries :

Day 1a | Missed AA Flight, Repurchase Sri Lankan Airlines

Day 1b | Pinnawala - Elephant Orphanage
Day 1c | Sri Lanka Beedi Cigarette & Giritale Sunset

The drive was pretty serene, well; to me at least. You probably get to see monkeys here and there. And if you were to stop by the dam/reservoir, you can see birds (no idea what bird though).... forgotten to ask whether is there migration bird at certain season. That would be nice to see.

Bus stop out in the nowhere, on the right are the dam/reservoir.

The only sundry shop I saw along this road, I guess they were catering for the hotel workers. There are 3 hotels located at this dam/reservoir, and Giritale Hotel ie the one I stayed is the highest of all. Don't worry, it's not 5 nor 6 stars hotel (am not that rich [yet]); it's a 4 star with fantastic view and pleasently superb service. Oh yah! It serves halal food. YEAY!

The final stretch of road leading to the hotel.

I know the hotel entrance doesn't look that impressive but trust me, the view is picturesque and I like the feel of the wind brushing through my hair. Sexy! Hahhaha....

This was the first sight I saw (mind you, I arrived at dusk hence it was darkness). I was not that keen at first, till I saw the magnificent sunset of course (check out my Day 1c entry). Anyway, it's a small and quaint hotel on the hill, serene and sexy (my new vocab now after reading last night's blog, hehheheheee...), I recommended it to everyone. 

Further down was this view with a glimpse of the dam/reservoir.

Then, you get this view. breathtaking huh.

From Wikipedia :

Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts. The park earned revenue of Rs. 10.7 millions in the six months ending in August 2009. Along with Kaudulla and Girithale, Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka. The park is situated 182 kilometres (113 mi) from Colombo.

View from the pool. Splendid.

Very small and charming hotel. 

The bell is their trademark.

Minneriya Giritale National Park is situated within the famed Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka that features no less than five UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Culture): Anuradhapura to the north-west, Polonnaruwa to the south-east, Sigiriya to the south-west, Golden Dambulla Rock Cave Temple to the south-west and Kandy to the further south of Dambulla.

Click here for UNESCO link.

Apparently this to symbolise relationship of wedded couple. Hemmm.... ok 

This is the other hotel located at the foot of this hill. Understood that deers to roam in hotel compound.

  

A 5 star hotel next to the Deer Hotel. 

If you wish to stay at Giritale Hotel, please check out the below.

Giritale Hotel
National Holiday Resort
Polonnaruwa 51000
Sri Lanka