Located virtually within shouting distance from Colombo (30 kilo meters) the Whispering Ocean bungalow offers just what its name tantalizingly suggests. The sound of soft ocean waves wakes you up in the morning and is the last thing that you hear at night.

The best pick-me-up for sleepy heads is opening the living room French windows in the morning when rippling white crested waves against the blue horizon greets you; a sight even more delightful when one goes up to the balcony upstairs which gives a breathtakingly wider sweep across the ocean.

The occasional passing train carries with it a whift of city folks on their way to or from work in the metropolis, causing one to luxuriate in the sense of being away from the city grind. For those obsessively wanting to be connected to the world which I must confess to at times, there is cable tv with a good range of news and movie channels.

The bungalow, where I spent perhaps the most refreshing weeks of my life in Sri Lanka sleeps six with three bedrooms having their own private spaces plus beautifully designed open-plan bathrooms. Very safe & secure with daily supply of fresh bread, seafood and vegetables.

What irony! Having traveled all over Sri Lanka in search of the perfect place to chill out, one happens to stumble on it by chance, right on one's own doorstep, as it were!

Kishali Pinto Jayawardana
Woman of the courage award winner