8 HOURS IN THE AIR, 4 HOURS ON THE ROAD AND 12 UNEDITED TRUTHS FOR WHY I NEED TO REVISIT “ANI VILLAS”
Once I was told: “There is a time and place for everything.” I totally agreed with it. There is no need to rush or force things, for what’s meant to be will always be.
Time, on the other hand, is never easy for someone like me, who are committed to a full-time work, clocking-in, and clocking-out. Ironically, it’s not a nine-to-five routine like what most corporate-people experience, but it turns out to be a nine-to-nine ritual on a daily basis, in full weekdays and at times weekend. I hope this gives you an idea of how demanding my work is.
This condition seems to give me enough excuse not to travel, but, hey! let’s be honest here; traveling is not about having time.
IT’S ABOUT MAKING TIME.
WE ALL MAKE TIME FOR WHAT WE FEEL IS IMPORTANT IN OUR LIVES. AND TO ME, TRAVELING IS ESSENTIAL. WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US.
It’s 11 pm on a Friday night. Coming straight from my office to Beijing International Airport, I was half-alive after a long and tiring week. But, I guess the reason why I made it through to that Friday was because I know what lies ahead for me. I was going to Sri Lanka, and the best feeling in the whole world is watching things finally fall into place after watching them fall apart for so long.
Sleeping on board never works on me. It’s just so hard to sleep especially when my heart is at war with my mind. Works are still overwhelming and my thoughts are wandering away every time I’m up in the air. Eight hours flight to Colombo seemed longer than how the clock ticks away second by second.
As soon as I landed at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, the transportation from Ani Villas was ready to take me to the destination. Only then did I realize that it would be another 4 hours of a journey—but now on the road.
After all these years of a serious traveling, one thing I know for sure is that “difficult road often leads to a beautiful destination”. This concept has never been wrong, but, yes, it’s a long journey from Beijing to Ani Villas in Sri Lanka, and these 12 unedited truths would make you realize why I’m planning to revisit Ani Villas in Sri Lanka again soon.
1. I’M NOT TELLING YOU THAT TWELVE-HOUR JOURNEY IS GOING TO BE EASY, BUT I’M TELLING YOU IT’S GOING TO BE WORTHWHILE.
While I was on the road, I couldn’t help but wished that I could fast forward time just to see if it’s all worthwhile in the end. Twelve hours journey is never going to be easy for me or anyone, but—for once and for all—the moment when I first stepped on the hotel lobby all doubts I had an hour ago disappeared. With a simple but genuine smile from the local staff, the breathtaking scenery of the ocean unlike “any” other places, “Ani” Villas already made me feel completely just like “home”.
2. “HOME” IS WHERE I BELONG.
My traveling philosophy is that I don’t seek anything perfect, but I seek something just “right” for me. Ani Villas owns that magic. Everything is just “right” on the dot. The staff leaves me alone, yet I felt I was well attended. The design, the setting and the ambiance of the hotel gave me a true sense of luxury; “an inconspicuous luxury,” to be exact. As a believer of the saying “Less is more,” I found that this quaint low-key property produces a strong impact upon me. Tiny as I may feel and disconnected as I was from all the works behind, Ani Villas casts a magic spell that subtly transported me into a sphere of the joy of a few days to come.
3. COME RAIN OR COME SHINE.
Should you be disappointed when you come to the beach just to get wet in the rain, not by the sea water? The rain was pouring cats and dogs with no sign of stopping. Surprisingly, I started to hear my own heartbeat singing along with the rhythm of the raindrop. For the first time, the rain didn’t bother me at all. It was a unique experience that needed to be told and I know for a fact that this little rainy moment would turn me to be a storyteller.
4. THE STORYTELLER GM.
Yeshi Phuntsho is the General Manager of the property and I don’t think anyone can do better than him. Other than the fact that he managed to make all of his guests felt at ease, Yeshi kept us abreast and alert with his countless stories out of his sleeves. He is one of the most passionate storytellers I’ve ever met. He did story-tell everything about the hotel, the staffs, the local belief, the funny fact of the city, the weather. Earnestly, I can just sit there listening to his stories for days.
5. DAYS ARE SHORTER BECAUSE WE WERE HAPPIER.
I couldn’t find any better examples to describe this unedited truth. Raise your hand if you disagree with me that when you’re happier, time flies faster. “We don’t remember days, we remember moments”. And, at that very moment, I decided to be a kid for a day. To keep the child within me alive. I let loose and lifted my legs up higher to make me glide down the water slider in fast speed—the fast pace that lasts vividly in my memory.
6. MEMORY LASTS LONGER AND WE CARRY IT WITH US.
The moment I dipped in the infinity edge pool, I didn’t realize I was creating a memory. I thought I was merely having fun. Now that I look back, I wish I could have lived with more of “the present” in that moment. And if I would ever turn back time, I would have swum 2 more rounds; I would have held my breath and put my face down under water a little longer; I would have returned back to that private tennis court; and, I would have asked the therapist to extend the spa time for 15 minutes longer. I would have done anything to maximize my time and stop it right there.
7. THERE ARE FOOD TIMES AND BEDTIMES
I cannot not talk about food; the full-board meal plan is designed just to personalize the foodie inside you. Although I am not a food adventurous type of guy, I can say that every single local dish prepared by the Executive Chef is just inexplicably delicious. And bingo! Here’s another relatable unedited truth for everyone. There’s nothing better than having your delish meal and jump straight to the bed. Fully aware that it shouldn’t be the best practice, I was unable to resist that Hollywood king-size bed in suite 202, overlooking the private plunge pool and the scenery of endless ocean. It was just incredible and there’s nothing like it!
8. IT’S ALL YOURS
This is not just the “tagline” of Ani Villas, but this is going to be your “wifi password” in case you are planning to visit this stunning property. Perhaps the concept of “all-inclusive” is somewhat new to you but you can go “worry-free”, and no shocking bill when you check out. Keep in mind that you can do anything that you want when you want it. Everything is “tailor-made” and “unlimited” inclusive of premier spirits, house wine, all-day snack, personal trainer, tennis lesson, cycling tour, cooking class, body and facial massages, wash-and-fold laundry, complimentary international call, unrestricted numbers of Netflix streaming. Trust me, you are not going to get anything less than what I’ve mentioned above and oh, don’t forget to include your “unlimited happiness” too!
9. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Still remember Yeshi, our great storyteller? Not only is he a good storyteller, but he can bring stories to life too.. ...
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