sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

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6 Drinking & Nightlife
In this sacred city, the legislation for pubs,
bars and discos is very strict. The typical
Kandyan goes to bed early, but there are a
few places for an end-of-day gin and tonic.
All the top hotels also have decent bars.
Kandy’s two nightclubs are in hotels. At
both, entry for women is free and for mixed
couples Rs 500, and there’s usually no entry
allowed for unaccompanied men from out-
side the hotel. Long trousers, covered shoes
and a collared shirt are mandatory for the
lads.

Royal Bar & Hotel BAR
(map p 146 ; %222 4449; 44 Raja vidiya (King St);
mains Rs 700-1500) One of the nicer places
in town for an oh-so-civilised drink. This
recently opened place, in a beautifully reno-
vated colonial building, recalls pith helmets
and British stiff upper lips, and its courtyard
bar couldn’t be a better place for an evening
G&T. Happy ‘hour’ runs from 5.30pm to
7.30pm.
It’s also a restaurant and hotel, and while
the food isn’t bad, it’s not great either. The
rooms are overpriced.

Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar BAR
(map p 146 ; 29A Anagarika) With views out over
the lake, pool tables, premiership football,
decent Chinese food and a 6pm-to-7pm
happy hour, this place is a winner on many
accounts. It’s a big British expat hang-out.
It’s sometimes still known by its old name of
Bamboo Garden.

National Coffee CAFE
(map p 146 ; %220 5734; 5 Temple St; h8am-7pm)
Bright and cool environment for a freshly
ground, organic caffeine pick-me-up.

3 Entertainment

The modest Asgiriya Stadium (map p 146 ),
north of the town centre, hosts crowds of
up to 10,000 cheering fans at international
one-day and test matches. The compact sta-
dium is reckoned to be one of the most at-
tractive used for international cricket. Ticket
prices depend on the popularity of the two
teams. India versus Sri Lanka matches are
the most valued. Tickets are also sold on the
day, or you can book grandstand seats up to
a month in advance through the Sri Lanka
Cricket office (map p 146 ; %223 8533) at the
stadium.
Rugby is played between May and
September at the Nittawella rugby grounds.

Alliance Française CU lTURAl CENTRE

(map p 159 ; %222 4432; http://www.afkandy.org; 642

Peradeniya Rd; h8.30am-6pm mon-Sat) The

Alliance hosts film nights (often with

English-subtitled films), and has books and

periodicals. Good coffee is available. Non-

members can browse in the library.

7 Shopping

Central Kandy has shops selling antique

jewellery and silver belts, and you can buy

crafts in the colourful main market (map

p146; Station Rd).

Selyn C lOTHiNg, JEWEllERY

(map p 146 ; %223 7735; 7/1/1 Temple St)

High-quality, fair-trade textiles, clothing and

jewellery made of recycled paper and other

materials.

Rangala House Gallery gAllERY

(map p 146 ; 2nd fl, 7/1/1 Temple St) The works

of local and Colombo-based artists are dis-

played and sold here. It also sells a range of

organic jams made in the hills surrounding

Kandy.

Kandyan Art Association &

Cultural Centre HANDiCRAFTS

(map p 146 ; Sangharaja mawatha; h9am-5pm daily)

Has a good selection of local lacquerware,

brassware and other craft items in a colonial-

era showroom with a patina of age. There are

some craftspeople working on the spot. Prices

are slightly inflated.

Buddhist Publication Society BOOKS

(map p 146 ; %223 7283; http://www.bps.lk; 54 victoria

Rd; h9am-4.30pm mon-Fri, to 12.30pm Sat) The

Buddhist Publication Society, on the lakeside

400m northeast of the Temple of the Sacred

Tooth Relic, is a nonprofit charity that distrib-

utes the Buddha’s teachings. Local scholars

and monks occasionally give lectures, and

there is a comprehensive library. See online

for free information downloads. It’s a good

place to ask about meditation courses.

Odel Luv SL C lOTHES, SOUvENiRS

(map p 146 ; shop l3-3, 5 Dalada veediya; h10am-

7pm) T-shirts, tacky tourist goods and some

good souvenirs: this shop under the arcades

of the Queens Hotel has the lot.

Cultural Triangle Office BOOKS

(map p 146 ; h8am-4.15pm) Has a selection

of books on the Ancient Cities for sale.

Kandy, by Dr Anuradha Seneviratna, is an