A morning boat cruise, breakfast on an island and a luxury stay at Cinnamon Lodge in Sri Lanka
A morning boat cruise, breakfast on an island and a luxury stay at Cinnamon Lodge in Sri Lanka
It was an early morning and I was invited to take an early morning cruise on a man-made lake by Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara to view all the amazing wildlife that were up early to greet the day and typically find their food around the lake. The boatmen, local fishermen from the village are typically hired for these morning tours of the lake along with a nature guide from Cinnamon Nature trails to give you a first hand experience of the wonderful birds and wildlife that live on this man-made lake fronting the Cinnamon Lodge.
Fishermen and tour guides for the mornings lake cruise
I was a little worried about bringing my DSLR on the canoe so I opted to use my cell phone instead which turned okay image wise, so hopefully it shows well even for a cloudy and drizzly day on the morning cruise. The guide pointed out all the magnificent birds that were around the lake that morning: king fishers, purple egrets, white egrets, hawks and too many others for me to remember.
Along the shoreline I spotted a trail of asian elephants carrying tourists along the trails with their mahouts guiding them, making for a very exotic vista. Unfortunately it was too far to capture a decent image and my cell phone which didn’t really zoom to well for a distance shot. Unlike the treatment of elephants for tourism in other Asian countries, the mahouts here only do a few tours in the morning and later take their elephants for a nice bath and scrub and feeding so I didn’t really see any mistreatment and considering that Asian elephants were used primarily in the logging and farming industries in Sri Lanka, this is a more tame and humane way to treat them, at least from what I observed.
Paddling through these giant water lily pads in a man-made lake
We slowly crossed these huge lily pads above, I didn’t get to see any blooms, but aren’t they amazing? After a clearing the fishermen stopped to set up their nets for the mornings catch and will later come back in the early evening to pull in the fish caught in the nets.
Putting out a net for the mornings catch
Crossing a small bridge for an island breakfast at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
After a nice and slow cruise with the nature guide showing me most of the mornings wildlife activities on the lake, we came back to an amazing breakfast on an island that you have to cross a little wooden bridge to get to the island. What was waiting just for me was totally outstanding, a breakfast table set with a delicious array of fruits, breads and any type of omelet or meats you want prepared on the spot. I opted for the typical hoppers (like a crepe) filled with an egg, spices and some bacon and it was perfectly prepared just the way I wanted to enjoy the local specialty. I find out that the lodge will customize any type of event on the island to fit your preference: a wedding, anniversary, barbecue or just a gathering, it’s all done to what you would like to have and the food you would like, sweet!
Breakfast fruit all ready at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
My breakfast hoppers is made to order with any toppings – I settled on mushrooms, bacon, eggs and some sambal to give it a nice little kick. The staff serving my breakfast were all so friendly and accommodating – I think they all show amazing pride and spirit working for the Cinnamon hotel brand.
Break hoppers made to order at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
The table is set for breakfast by the lake, so glad I have a big appetite this morning!
Breakfast with an island view, Cinnamon Lodge Habanara
Wow, what a breakfast, pretty hearty since it’s only for a party of one. It’s a good thing I came with a big appetite after the morning cruise on the lake at Habanara.
Breakfast is served on the island at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
After a very nice and long breakfast, I accepted another tour of the edible farms on the perimeter of the property to check out what they are growing for consumption at the hotel. I met up with the grounds care taker and one of the sous chefs to collect some edible fruits and vegetables for the evenings meal which the chef will be creating an incredible meal for the evening along with some of the fish from the mornings catch on the lake.
Touring the edible gardens at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
Edible tree flowers at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
We visited the various sections of the organic garden and harvested a variety of greens, edible flowers and even some quail eggs from their hatchery. It was a fun tour but getting later in the morning, the weather started to get quite humid – a perfect time to get to the pool and enjoy a little siesta under a big umbrella.
The stunning pool at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara
Afterwards, I took a nice nap in my gorgeous bedroom, when things are so well-appointed at the Lodge, it’s very difficult to even venture outside when there are enough activities built into Cinnamon’s Lodge stays so easy and luxurious. I’m so glad I built-in some down time after a rather hectic five days of continuous traveling around the island, so I’m glad to lay low for a bit and just indulge. Thank you for visiting today and getting a glimpse of a luxury stay at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara, Sri Lanka. Please do visit the other travel bloggers participating in today’s link up for Travel Photo Mondays. If you decide to stay at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara, they will plan any custom dining experiences for you on the island or any part of the resort, just inquire with the concierge for more details.
I visited Sri Lanka for TBCAsia, hosted by Cinnamon Hotels. Thanks also to Sri Lankan Airlines for flying me there from London and Cinnamon Nature Trails for taking me through this lovely lake and tour of the edible gardens at Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara, Sri Lanka. All opinions and thoughts, as always, are my own
Noel hi,
That’s a long way to go my friend, but as always photos are very interesting and so down to earth.
Cheers!
German
Sounds like the kinda place I’d love to stay in when I get to Sri Lanka … awesome pictures guys!
wow, how romantic – breakfast on the island and edible garden – must be great to be pampered ike this. Now, i don’t see a blue linky on my Ipad, Noel …
This was last weeks post Jesh
What a wonderful breakfast it looks like you had at the Cinnamon Lodge in Habanara, Sri Lanka. It was especially enjoyable seen in your large-view photos.
You’re tantalizing me with all these Sri Lanka photos Noel. Beautiful and the lily pads with all those water droplets – oo-la-la!
—
Wow! As usual your pictures are so intriguing and beautiful it makes me want to go there right now 🙂 Honestly, I had no idea Sri Lanka had such well-appointed places like Cinnamon Lodge. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t stayed at many lodges, but this looks like a beautiful place to relax and enjoy. I definitely would like the boat cruise. Having organic food growing right there on the property is wonderful. I’m ready to visit! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hi Noel,
Those huge lily pads are so pretty.
This is a story of meeting locals and seeing the back country — and even though it’s all planned by a resort, the experience looks wonderful.
Thanks for sharing!
Josie
Now I know that we have become stuck in our comfort zone. WA is lovely but I constantly need reminding via beautiful photos and posts like yours Noel, that this isn’t the only beautiful place in the world. Thank you for expanding my horizons. Love that pool, and those breakfast eggs looked delicious and different!
Wow, you visit some of the most interesting places. These photos are wonderful, and hard to believe that the canoe ones are from a mobile phone.
This looks so serene and peaceful.
Sounds like a pretty wonderful visit. Interesting tours, good food, and a luxurious looking lodge. I even love the name – Cinnamon Lodge.
What a marvelous respite this stay must have been after so much activity. Your photos convey the luxury and the languid aspects that relaxation in such a sublime setting can bring. I’ll bet this experience will be a recurring memory.
Looks like you had a great time! I especially loved the photos with the lily pads – they lend such an ethereal feel to the photos.
What a fine adventure and a luxurious perspective of Sri Lanka. Can’t wait to visit again.
Your photos and descriptions live up to the exotic name of the Cinnamon Lodge and your breakfast looks absolutely amazing! I’d love to visit there – definitely a dream destination!
This looks like it was an amazing visit Noel. Of course I especially liked the customized breakfast and you’re right it was very substantial for a party of one. I would also love to have seen all the birds. And your photos with the iPhone turned out quite well. Great story thanks!
You could not have opened with a more evocative travel photo Noel. I immediately wanted to be in that boat on that man made lake. I totally love being offered a selection of tropical fruits nicely cut and displayed. I am such a lazy fruit eater! At home I can’t be bothered cutting them up, I just munch on them whole, but I really enjoy traveling when breakfast fruit is so enticing. Looks like a gorgeous place, but the boat/lake and the breakfast – wow!
Is there a direct flight everyday from heaven to this place to have breakfast and a swim before lunch? Wow! What a beautiful set of colorful stuff for breakfast. You must have enjoyed this treat for quite some time.
After drooling over your photos week after week, post after post, I’m finally back with something of my own, though it’s a lot less exotic!
Way cool @Noel, but I think lunch in the Woods at Cinnamon Lodge Kandy is a notch above :-); although, your view may have surpassed mine. What I found with these experiences is the people serving are so pleasant and genuine.
Thanks for sharing this one.
PS: Something tells me you did not do any rowing on this adventure :-).
Your right about the staff, very genuine and friendly which is perfect!