Lunuganga: Bawa house and garden at Bentota

We spent a totally enthralling day touring the buildings and gardens of Lunuganga, before sitting down on the verandah to enjoy a typical Sri Lankan curry meal.

As you would no doubt be aware, Geoffrey Bawa is/was Sri Lanka's most influential architect. He designed A wing of rooms at the Jetwing Lagoon hotel, where we stayed upon arrival. He was also responsible for designing the Hotel Kamdalama which we stayed at when we traveled to Dambulla.

This time, we visited his residence, situated on a former rubber plantation. The main residence has commanding views over the river from the rear verandah. He removed several metres off the top of an adjacent hill to obtain a water view from the front of the house. While there is a small public lane bisecting the property, it has been deepened and with the use of thick vegetation and a covered passageway, he was able to maintain privacy of the property.

Bloody smart bugger, if you ask me.