By P. Ramnath, PGP 1972
- Ayubowan!
It was Southward Ho! for our enthusiastic RU group in 2025 when Subbu decided to get us all down to Mamallapuram for a change from earlier trips to Rajasthan, UP, et al. So entranced were our Delhi wallahs with the Bay of Bengal up close that it took just a nanosecond to propose we cross the Ram Setu and explore the island out yonder this year. So it was that the trio of Ashok/Nalini, Kapil/Pervin, Anshu/Shama roped in the Delhi-based event people Ira and Alka, and away we were to Bentota and Galle in late February 2026.
It was a mellow group of more than 25 couples and a few singles that landed up at the Taj property at Bentota for a couple of days of bonhomie and good cheer, grateful for the unhurried schedule in as close to Nirvana as we could get. The organising trio’s welcome note promised a celebration of great fellowship: for the other big words there in we could always refer to the Tharooraurus!
The Taj laid out the works, welcoming us with traditional dance and music and a meet-and-greet over High (Ceylonese) Tea at the Palms. Cocktails at the Orchid Banquet Hall promised much. Soon enough, all settled down to listen to an erudite talk on the Ramayana and contemporary Sri Lanka. Of course it triggered some spirited CP from the well-read.
The hors d’oeuvres whetted the appetite; an elaborate spread at the Palms followed; the seating and live counters -you couldn’t miss the Aappams and stew-gave all room to mingle and cross-chat over the courses as we caught up with our respective journeys and grandpapa/mama stories.
Morning walks and a hearty breakfast done, the mandatory group pic was on the lawns the next morning.
And then it was off to Galle. The tuk-tuk ride/optional walk around the Galle Fort on the oceanfront took us to the lighthouse on the beach, a dekko at colonial architecture, the artisan shops, a view of the Rajapaksa Cricket ground, a quick quaff at a brewery for the boy gang, receiving the monk’s blessings at the Buddhist temple, and posing at Sangakkara’s house and the many photo ops against the ocean.
And we were ready for the promised gourmet lunch at the Jetwing Lighthouse hotel. Designed by the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa on a rocky promontory on the sea, with its iconic spiral staircase and bronze and copper balustrading, it was an aesthete’s delight. The spread blew us away, and the vegetarians were not denied. The blue waters gushed on the rocks outside and romantic couples recalled their salad days.
The cultural show that evening on the Sea View Deck had us with our hearts in our mouths as the fire eaters dazzled.
Bacchus, God of Wine CBN, manned the bar overflowing with Bandaranaike Airport duty-free choices as everyone enjoyed the karaoke night with our celebrity crooner Murali leading the way. Solos and duets followed; Ravi accompanied everybody, the ladies were in full flow, and Padma and Miriam found their mojo, with the DJ providing links to forgotten numbers that rode the charts before he was born.
The Madu River safari next morning took us to Cinnamon Island- oil very good for you, yes, we bought a lot- and the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre- God, some of these guys are older than us!- where we met some endangered species, too.
Gliding through river channels and mangroves, we drifted along fishing villages towards the Indian Ocean secure in our life jackets. Pictures flooded our WA group; Hilla posted a beautiful set- landscapes are a passion with her, I gather.
That afternoon Kaulie had his TT paraphernalia ready for those who dared to challenge him; Ravi and Jambu were game, but the sea breeze on the open deck took the wind out of his sails!
We had our priorities right; a visit to the spa and beauty parlour before the Finale.
The Gala dinner at The Lawns, with a live band and delicacies on offer, had the ladies glowing in their finery. The decorative lights twinkled, the sound of the sea soothed, and conversation and liquor flowed. The Puneris did their thing as the ladies enlivened the evening, posed, and took away keepsake pictures together.
Anshu did a Tharoor, getting exclusive pics clicked while accepting compliments on the arrangements. Ashok and Nalini (whose earlier Colombo experience surely helped many an inspired choice of agenda) and Shama were felicitated too, but we missed Kapil and the effervescent Pervin (we were glad to hear Kapil was recovering from his ailment). The memento of local spices so imaginatively sourced was to treasure as were the memories.
After a final dip in the beautiful pool overlooking the sea the next morning, Breakfast was a happy-to-have-been-together affair, with future catch-ups planned by the ladies over common interests since discovered. Ravi did his nth take on Malayalam and tried to get Miriam’s approval. We hope Usha will be able to join us next time.
Anjali and Kothai were such enthusiastic participants; we missed Asha, Monica and Sunita
Sri Lanka’s other attractions beckoned: many departed on their private trips to Nuwara, Kandy and Colombo- and all loved this lovely island.
Good health and we look forward to the next
Ayubowan!
