It was a searing hot September day when I got an email from a close friend inviting me to experience their beautiful property in Ceylon (also known as „Sri Lanka“, an Island with the form of a teardrop...). It began with the warmest of welcomes at the Hotel Villa Walauwa in Bentota, where I got to meet the team who are now managing the property. You know how there are places that feel like an oasis and the moment you step into one, you automatically breathe in deep and feel totally relaxed? Well, Villa Walauwa is exactly like that.

Have you ever visited Ceylon? Well, then I suggest you’d explore Sinharaja Rain Forest, a biodiversity hotspot on the south of the Island. It is of international significance and has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The reserve’s name translates as Lion (sinha) King (raja). The vegetaition may be described as tropical wet evergreen forest. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not easily seen as at dry-zone Yala National Park.

I also got some work done; I visited a wonderful stonedealer and spent hours (!) selecting beautiful moonstones for our new collections to come. This place is heaven for saphires, aquamarines and moonstones.

I’ll be back soon!