July 5th, 2008
Written by Web mistress
Are you missing out?
On events and stories concerning Arugam Bay?
Of course You are!!!
Because most events are published abroad, somewhere and they never make the headlines and the front page of Arugam.info!
But thanks to our partners : “Netfinder” everything is hidden in our own archives.
(Since Dec/2004 in fact, month by month; see AbaY News, right, below!)
Do you wish to receive Arugam News in a sort of .. electronic Newspaper?
Simply add your email address in the Feedburner box and you will receive a summary every time there are any news from the Bay!
(We promise we will not pass your mail address on to anyone!)
July 3rd, 2008
Written by Fred
A famous, most beautiful surf (& Party-!) spot in eastern Sri Lanka just to the north of Arugam Bay.
Here is YOUR chance to enjoy the beautiful setting of The Point!
The resort has been selected to host a private, three day Party in mid July, 2008!
Tickets to the event as well as transport from Colombo are by INVITATION only.
Details, contact numbers and full information, see link below:
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/#/event.php?eid=17541337053
Non Facebook users may need a password to see the above page.
Available from the Rock-the-Point hot line:( +94…)
The above photo was selected by the the Daily Telegraph, London and published in March, 2008; see link below.
What a location for a 3 day Party weekend!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Slideshow/slideshowContentFrameFragXL.
jhtml;jsessionidFTYQHT5AUGIGVQFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/global/
slideshow/expatworld17/expatworld17.xml&site=News
July 1st, 2008
Written by Anil
The new so-described- “High Tech” USAid bridge has officially been opened by Mr. President today, 1st July, 2008.
Official Photos above.
Behind the scene snapshots submitted by Arugam Bay Surfer & Tourists:
http://picasaweb.google.com/arugamsurf/AbaYBridgeUnder
Security was VERY tight. Throughout the preceding week.
Some estimate the security personnel employed in nearby PottuVille and at AbaY to be around 4,000 men.
Teams specially drafted in from far afield as Badulla, Tangalle and even Chillaw…
There was no noticeable Press presence.
However, Tourists noted plenty of hardware such as Navy patrol boats, divers, amphibious vehicles instead.
A huge marquee had been erected; see photo gallery.
Here are some shots taken and posted here, by foreign visitors:
http://picasaweb.google.com/arugamsurf/AbaYBridgeUnder
There are some reports that one of the helicopters, an American “Bell 412EP” had been fired at.
Q.:
Is there a connection with “Lanka Bell”?
And the huge new telecon tower at AbaY?
Did the chopper just fly into this new ‘Lanka-LandMark’ and lost it’s fuel or what really did happen at AbaY?
Has anyone got further information/confirmation/observation?
June 29th, 2008
Written by NetFinder
| By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix Nilan Maligaspe |
|
The sunny golden beach of Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka’s East Coast is one of the top attractions in the Sri Lanka’s beach destinations. Arugam Bay, which is located 230 km East of Colombo, is one of the best surfing and tourist destinations in the world.
Though it is world famous, the most significant thing is the absent of star class hotel in the area. Out of popular surfing joints, Ranga’s Beach Hut stands tall among the visitors to the area. Ranga’s Beach Hut started its operation in 1989 with just a restaurant and two Cabanas. After all these years of terrorists threats and 2004 tsunami, the Hut developed into a popular seafood place and now with 7 Cabanas and six standard rooms.
 
 |
| Ranga |
The resort is now in full operations and a massive refurbishment is under way to cater to the influx of tourists to Arugam Bay, after the liberation of East.
‘I am certain that the golden beaches of Arugam Bay will soon be another ‘Hikkaduwa’ and the arrivals have gone up since last few months’ said Ranga Krishnarajan, the proprietor with much hope.
The service at Ranga’s Beach Hut is homely. The food delicious, offering the catch of the day straight from the Bay beach, fish, jumbo prawns, king crabs, cuttlefish and lobsters are the name of the day. It makes up the mouth watering menu in addition to the usual Western and Eastern cuisine. Guests are also offered pure curd made of fresh milk available in plenty and fresh fruits at Arugam Bay.
Ranga’s Beach Hut offers a host of tourist attractions. It lies midway between two popular National Parks, Lahugala National Park and Kumana Bird Sanctuary, which is the eastern border of Yala National Park. Lahugala is only13 k.m. and Kumana Bird Sanctuary is only 30 km from Ranga’s Beach Hut.
A host of heritage sites and ruins dating back to the 5th century are in close proximity to the resort.
They are traditional Panama village, Magul Maha Viharaya Mudu Maha Viharaya and Kudumbi Gala Hermitage, the Oakande Rock and Hindu temple, which is said to be the spot where Sindbad the Sailor ended up after a ship wreck.
|
source:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080629/TV/tvtimes001.html
June 28th, 2008
Written by Fred
Arugam Bay is unique!
Not only because the Bay has more than 325 sun shine days/year.
Another very unusual feature is a shifting sand bank.
Every year millions of tons of fine sand are deposited by the swell and a very calm baby’s paddling pool is formed.
This process only takes a week or so!
Where else in the world can you find perfect high waves and brilliant surfing conditions?
And a huge, natural sea water swimming pool next to each other?
Now the Bay has something for everyone:
A perfect destination for any surfer dude as well as families and non-swimmers!
June 26th, 2008
Written by NetFinder
Arugam Bay was awarded the Highly Commended Best Destination award at the World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards Ceremony at Excel in Docklands, London on 14th November 14, 2007. Out of the thousands of nominations received, Costa Rica and New Forest were the other two nominees.
Arugam Bay is classed among the top ten surfing destinations in the world. The village itself is a delightful experience. There are no big hotels. The community has developed tourism by dint of their own hard work and imagination.
Three star establishments rub shoulders with low-key stilt cabins and coconut palm leaf cabanas, and tourists share the beach with local fishermen.
The wild and rugged scenery, elephants meandering at the edge of the village, abundant birdlife, and mysterious archaeological sites have made this a long-time favourite destination for travellers.
The three ethnic groups - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, work and live in harmony. The population of 3,000 families is made up mostly of small family managed hotels/guest houses and restaurants.
Posted by kosala at 8:04 PM
source:
http://youtube-home.blogspot.com /2008/06/arugam-bay-surfers-paradise-voted.html
June 22nd, 2008
Written by Web mistress
ArugamTaxi Share Initiative
To share costs, save fuel, protect the environment
Arugam.info does NOT make money on Taxi Bookings!
Arugam.info advises to avoid buses, trains & public services, for now.
To take you to and from the secure, peaceful Bay to the Airport and to the West/South
Investing in a secure, knowledgeable Taxi could be your best advice
In this, troubled time better be SAFE - Not sorry!
(Operated by a somewhat more modern version of the above ‘Mini Bus’ of course!)
We can collect you at ANY time, from anywhere in Sri Lanka - but to share costs, due to high fuel prices, please give us some notice to find fellow passengers!
(An-up-to date schedule is always published on the “AbaY Taxi” Link above)
Contact: ArugamTaxi@Gmail.com
Hotline: 0773 200 201 (Country code: 0094 ….)
June 16th, 2008
Written by Carole Ann
Arugam Bay at it’s Best: June 2008 Surf photos
Surf conditions are perfect right now!
Where are all of you surfer dudes?
The Bay also is ultra- peaceful - so don’t worry - take a trip to AbaY and you will be an instant hero!
(Can You name any other Country, at war, which you can travel to- without any realistic danger to you, personally?)
More and better photos by “NixPics” are added to our online Picasa Gallery.
June 15th, 2008
Written by Fred
Arugam.info still promises to publish all relevant security information!
Q.: Following the end of the cease fire agreement, is Arugam Bay still safe as a destination?
A.: The straight answer is:
YES! Arugam Bay and the surrounding areas are very safe.
But:
Travel to the East could not really be considered to be ultra safe these days.
Potential flash points are the airport, the capital city Colombo, Kandy and all large towns, in the West and South.
- Do avoid public transport!
- Try to drive yourself: Car or motorbike
Avoid freshly dug up areas on any road
- Avoid large gatherings!
- Avoid large cities and army camp & any other military areas!
- Identify yourself as a tourist
- Do not pretend to be part of any NGO (they are no longer popular in some quarters)
- Do not comment on political/ military matters to people you don’t know
- Do not offer lifts to armed people of any group
- Instruct your driver to refuse lifts of men with weapons - because your vehicle could be mistaken as a target
If you follow these simple, obvious rules we are sure that you will have a peaceful, very quiet and most memorable vacation on the super quiet East Coast - because everybody seems busy elsewhere these days…
June 5th, 2008
Written by Fred
The New Arugam Bay Bridge is open to the traffic.
The official opening Ceremony will take place later, it is said to be 1st. July, 2008
However, the event is shrouded in mystery:
Rumor and very tight security as well as increased military survey lance suggest that Mr. President himself might descend in his helicopter onto the peaceful Bay to perform this, first major function in the East. Arugam.info will report.
The old, distinctive Land Mark Arugam Bay bridge is being dismantled right now.
Arugam.info is informed that it will be re-erected on a location in the South of Sri Lanka, as it still is in excellent condition.
May 14th, 2008
Written by Cheril
Where? At Arugam Bay of course!
All is quiet, calm, peaceful, blue and pretty in the remote little Bay of Arugam.
Also:
Swell is UP!
See you on the beach this coming weekend?
April 14th, 2008
Written by Web mistress
Happy Tamil & Singhala NEW YEAR!
There is no more Tiger on the East Coast!
(South Eastern Pacific Breweries appear to have supply problems)
A Local Product, recently Exported to the UK:
(Said to have run into trouble with authorities on arrival in the UK)
Famous Arugam Beers
Still on draft @ Arugam Bay!
AbaY’s New Year Offer:
Cut out this image, present it to us at Arugam Bay:
And receive a FREE Sample of Natural Draft Beer from us!
(Before we are also forced to export the stuff…)
Choose from:
(If available)
This post was due to be published two weeks ago. April 1st, 2008.
But it is still somewhat relevant.
TODAY's Comments