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Crafting journeys & excursions throughout Sri Lanka!
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10/06/2020

'Galle Face Hotel'

The Galle Face Hotel was originally a Dutch villa called Galle Face House. It was then a meeting place for gentlemen of the colonial era. Later on, four British entrepreneurs decided to use the premises to establish a lodging business.

In 1864, the Galle Face Hotel was built and became known as one of the best hotel East of Suez, the old seaport city of Egypt. It is also one of the oldest operating hotels in Asia. The name of the hotel was derived from the neighboring historical Galle Face Green, a promenade along the coast popular since the Victorian times.

The hotel was initially built section by section, starting with the central area followed by the South and North wings. In 1894, the hotel expanded and became a two-storey luxury hotel. Edward Skinner, a prominent architect of the time was responsible for most of its design. He was also the architect of other beautiful buildings of old Ceylon like the Cargills and Co. and Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital. Around 1903 to 1909, the Galle Face Hotel Company continued to buy up land and expanded the hotel to its present size.

Throughout it's history, the Galle Face Hotel hosted many notable guests including Mahatma Gandhi, Yuri Gagarin, John D. Rockefeller, Prince Philip, President Nixon, Prime Minister Edward Heath, Prince Hirohito of Japan, Actress Carrie Fisher of Star Wars, Actor Sir Roger More of James Bond, Author Mark Twain and many more other royal entourages and famous individuals. The renowned science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke even the penned the final chapters of '3001: The Final Odyssey' while staying in the hotel.

An iconic Sri Lanka doorman, the late Kottarapattu Chattu Kuttan aka KC, who worked at the Galle Face Hotel is one of the oldest and most reputable hotel employees of the world. He became the trademark of Sri Lanka's hospitality industry and was featured on the covers of many world travel magazines.

Talk to us about handcrafted history walk through Colombo!

04/06/2020

'The Wolvendaal Church'

The Wolvendaal Church, also known as the Dutch Reformed Church, was built in 1749 by the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C) following their take over of the island's trade from the Portuguese Empire. It remains one of the oldest Protestant churches on the island.

It was originally the site of a small chapel on a hill built by the earlier Portuguese clergy. During that period, the hill was surrounded by swamps and wild marshlands and inhabited by jackals. The Portuguese misidentified the jackals for wolves and began calling the hill ‘Agoa de Loupe’ which translated to ‘Dale of Wolves’. When the Dutch took over and began discovering the island, they visited the chapel on the hill and called the area Wolvendaal, meaning ' Wolf's Dale or Valley'. The hill offered commanding views over the Port of Colombo, the Fort and its the surrounding town that caught the attention of the Dutch as well.

In 1736, the then Dutch Governor of Ceylon, Gustaaf Willem van Imhoff, wanted to initially demolish the Kasteel Jerk (Church) within Colombo Fort and build a Protestant church on the same site. However, his request to the V.O.C was not approved.
By 1743, Julius Valentyn Stein van Gollenesse became the Governor of Ceylon. He planned to build a new church beyond the the Fort and city walls that eventually became the Wolvendaal Church in 1757.

The age-old Wolvendaal Church was designed based on the Doric style and in the form a Greek cross. This was an influence of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The walls are nearly 1.5 meters thick made of large kabok (a clay ironstone) with coral and lime plaster. The high roof in the middle of the building looks like a dome that was originally arched with brick and roofed in blue Bangor slate roof tiles. It was surmounted with a brazen lion which had a crown on its head, bearing a sword in one hand and seven arrows in the other, representing the seven united provinces of the Dutch Republic. In 1856, a bolt of lightning destroyed the lion and seriously damaged the dome and the roof was was later replaced with an iron covering.

Today, devotees and visitors could still experience the heritage of the church's past including the elevated pulpit, a Dutch governor's chair, an old pipe organ and several tombstones dating back for centuries ago.

30/05/2020

'Hindu Temples on Sea Street'

The 'Gopurams', the ornately carved towers, of either the same or a different Hindu temple, I am not entirely certain. They both were, however, located on Pettah's Sea Street.

Hinduism is one of the oldest faiths in the island with long standing traditions and culture dating over 2,000 years.

29/05/2020

The Kayman's Gate was once an entrance to the age-old Colombo Fort. It was located at the foot of the Wolvendaal Hill in the Pettah district of Colombo.

The original Colombo Fort was built by the Portuguese around mid 1500 as a fortification for their trading post at Colombo and was later captured by the Dutch in 1656.

Under the Portuguese, the fort's main entrance at the eastern rampart was Poorta Reinha, Queen's Gate. There was a passage way to the fort that was guarded by drawbridge and moat. Kayman's Gate comes from the Dutch word 'Kaaiman', which translates to Caiman (crocodile) in English. During that period, crocodiles (later identified as Mugger crocodiles and not Caimans) were found in large numbers in the Beira Lake and it's connected canals. The crocodiles would congregate around moats to eat the waste thrown out by the city dwellers within the fort.

16/05/2020

'A classical and contemporary view of Colombo's canals'

Back in the day, especially during the Dutch colonization of the island, Colombo's canal systems played an important role in terms of transportation. Boats were used to transport people and various goods in or out of the Colombo Fort and other districts around the city.

Today, most of the canals have been taken over by a unique set of biodiversity including trees, aquatic flora, mammals, reptiles, insects and birds like the infamous Pelicans of Colombo, all whom have adapted to a comfortable life within an urban environment.

12/05/2020

'The Old Town Hall'

The Old Town Hall is a historical building that was built in 1873. It was the headquarters of Colombo's Municipal Council for over 50 years. This was where council meetings were held, and where city and public works planning activities took place. It also functioned as a courthouse back in the day and included the Edinburgh Hall alongside it. The hall served as platform for the development of arts in the form of street plays and dramas.

The building was designed by J. G. Smither, a British architect in the Public Works Department during the Colonial era of British Ceylon. The architectural features of the building portrays neo-Gothic, Victorian Gothic or Gothic Revival styles which were popular during that period in the Western world.

By 1925, the Colombi Municipal Council's headquarters was moved to the current Town Hall, next to Viharamahadevi Park at the Cinnamon Gardens district. The Old Town Hall building eventually got lost in time and was getting swallowed up by the hustle and bustle of Pettah's bazaars.

Around 1980, the fading structure caught the attention of the late president, Premadasa. He initiated a restoration project that turned the Old Town Hall building into one of Colombo’s historical landmarks. The building was converted into a museum while the Edinburgh Hall was transformed into Edinburgh Market for Pettah's street hawkers and traders. The museum

Today, the main building houses a Fire and Rescue Department for the vicinity alongwith the museum. The museum features various remnants of the city's past such as life-sized wax figures and statues, antique typewriters, old photographs and portraits, a mobile library, huge street lamps, a witness box, a steam-engine truck, plumbing and sewage systems, street signs, press machines and an old steam roller. Occasionally, Edinburgh Hall is also used to host contemporary music and arts festivals when the bazaars are closed for business.

07/05/2020

'Chatham Street'

One of Colombo's most historical streets and a place of age-old heritage lined with monuments like the picturesque Central Point building, which was once upon a time Colombo's tallest structure, and the Old Lighthouse Clock Tower.

06/05/2020

'The Delft Gate of Old Colombo Fort'

The Delf Gate is one of the last remaining elements of the age-old Colombo Fort. This gate formed one of four entrances to the Dutch Fort of Colombo, along with the Galle Gate in the south, Rotterdam Gate and the Water Gate in the harbor.

The Delft Gate was accessed via the Pettah district by crossing a moat using a draw bridge, and a curved passage way led to the entry of the fort. On either side of the gate was one continuous building which housed the guards. The reason for the curved passage way was to avoid direct fire from the outside to the interior of the fort in case of an attack or invasion. It was also believed that crocodiles lingered under the moat, feeding on the waste food disposed by the fort's inhabitants. This was probably another defence strategy used by the Dutch to prevent invasion by swimming across to the fort.

Today, the Delft Gate is currently a part of the Commercial House building and its preservation is managed under the bank.

05/05/2020

'Grand Oriental Hotel & Victoria Arcade'

Sitting across from each other on the historical York Street are the Grand Oriental Hotel (G.O.H) and Victoria Arcade, two grand Edwardian style buildings from the British Ceylon period.

The Grand Oriental Hotel:
G.O.H was originally the site of a Dutch governor's residence. Around 1837, the British Crown Colony modified the building and constructed military barracks and a hostel for their army. By 1875, they established a hotel with around 154 rooms. At the time, it was one of the few only fully equipped, European owned and managed hotel in the East.

Aristocrats and wealthy merchants would port their ships at the Port of Colombo and walk right into the G.O.H for a comfortable room and other lavish hospitality facilities. During the civil unrest in 1950s, the British owmers sold it to the local Bank of Ceylon. Initially, due to legal issues the bank could not brand the hotel Grand Oriental Hotel and thus it was renamed the Taprobane Hotel.

In 1966, the local renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa, was charged with the remodelling of the hotel. He designed the Harbour Room, a restaurant on the fourth floor directly overlooking the Colombo Harbour. At around the same time the island's first night club, the Blue Leopard was also built in the basement. In the late 1900s the hotel was again branded G.O.H and was re-opened for business after extensive refurbishment.

Today, G.O.H is considered a heritage hotel and a testimony to the heydays of colonial architecture in Colombo.

Victoria Arcade:
Right opposite from the G.O.H" is another beautiful piece of architecture known as the Victoria Buildings or better known as the Victoria Arcade. It was a ground floor shopping arcade where the seafarers during the British Ceylon era could stroll amongst palms and fountains, browsing through jewellery shops, snack on refreshment at Messrs Burdayron Freres, books tours at the Thomas Cook & Son's office or exchange money at the National Bank of India. It was usually the first stop the tourists of that period made after checking-in at G.O.H.

The building's upper stories housed offices and residential flats. It was also where the monumental statue of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee stood before being moved to Colombo's Museum premises.

Today, Victoria Arcade houses several offices including travel agents and a small boutique shop selling food.

04/05/2020

'The Colombo Lighthouse Clocktower'

This historical Victorian era monument was originally built around 1856 as a clock tower and later on transformed into a lighthouse. The neo-classical tower was designed by Lady Emily Elizabeth Ward, the wife of a British Governor of Ceylon named Sir Henry George Ward (1797 – 1860). It remained the city's tallest structure at that period.

The original clock was built by the renowned English clockmakers, Dent. They were also responsible for manufacturing the clock on 'Big Ben' at Westminster Palace in 1852. It is believed that Colombo's clock was actually made in 1813 and was supposed to used 43 years earlier. But due to the high cost of construction of such a tower, it remained in the Commissariat Stores for almost half a century. When Lady Ward discovered it, she convinced her husband to install it after herself designed the tower.

The latter lighthouse elements were built by the Chance Brothers, English pioneers in glassworks of that era. It featured a revolving dioptric light visible for around 27 km from the sea.

The lighthouse was eventually decommissioned in 1952 after nearby buildings obscured the light from sea, and a new lighthouse was built by the nation's leaders following Sri Lanka's independence.

Craft a unique walking experience through the historic streets of Colombo and uncover its age-old colonial heritage with us.

09/03/2020

Roam the bazaars of Pettah and catch a glimpse of local life, trade and historic gems hidden along the way.
You'll immerse into the hustle and bustle and feel Pettah's colorful, vibrant and culturally diverse atmosphere.

29/02/2020

Explore the neighborhoods of Colombo on a cultural heritage experience to discover the sacred spaces dotted across the city.

Colombo is a melting pot of cultures. Come find out more about it's people, faiths and food with us!

20/02/2020

Discover beautiful sacred spaces on an interesting cultural heritage experience through Colombo.

Learn about the city's diversity and the different faiths that make Colombo a melting pot of culture.

06/02/2020

Stroll under centuries old colonial style verandahs and come across beautiful heritage buildings dotted across the Fort district.

Get an anecdote and the story behind every building on an insightful heritage walk of Colombo.

29/01/2020

Take the off-the-beaten path on our walking experiences and uncover rare city scapes.

Join us for an bespoke and insightful excursion through the streets of Colombo.

Plan a walk now!

22/01/2020

Experience a different side of Colombo when you explore the parks and affluent neighborhoods of Cinnamon Gardens.

You'll walk under tree shaded pathways and discover the story behind the place and it's treasures.

Plan A Walking Excursion!

20/01/2020

Check out colonial style mansions as we walk through the tree-shaded streets of Colombo's most affluent neighborhood, the Cinnamon Gardens district.

Plan an insightful heritage walk with us now!

16/01/2020

Explore the unknown paths of Colombo and discover the mysterious and beautiful city scapes from a different point of view.

You'll come across age-old canals teeming with wildlife adapted to an urban environment and even hear interesting stories about the canals.

Join us on a walking excursion through the city of Colombo!

08/01/2020

Take an insightful excursion to explore Colombo and discover its historic sacred spaces dotted across the city.

Learn about the different cultures and faiths of Colombo.

Talk to us about truly experiencing Colombo
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28/12/2019

Discover an age-old colonial era Asylum and it's English Gardens.

Take an insightful, guided walk through the affluent neighborhoods of Cinnamon Gardens.

15/10/2019

Take an insightful tour at the National Museum of Colombo to get a glimspe of the island's age-old history and rich culture.

View an array of historic artefacts and exhibits dating back to the times of the Sinhalese kingdoms.

Book your dates!

16/09/2019

Take an inspiring Art Walk through Colombo!

Visit art galleries to discover the works of classical Sri Lankan painters like George Keyts, David Paynter and Ivan Peries.

Stroll by the streets of Cinnamon Gardens to browse through paintings by contemporary local artists and art students.

Immerse yourself in an Art Walk now!

13/09/2019

Immerse yourself in a heritage walk through the historic streets of Colombo Fort.

Retrace the steps of the Fort's past inhabitants and uncover their stories.

Experience the city's colonial heritage through its buildings, architecture, culture and people.

Join us on a unique walking excursion to Discover Colombo!

06/09/2019

Take an inspiring Art Walk through Colombo with us!

Visit art galleries to discover the works of classical Sri Lankan painters like George Keyts, David Paynter and Ivan Peries.

Stroll by the streets of Cinnamon Gardens to browse through paintings by contemporary local artists and art students.

Book your Art Walk now!
@ Sri Lanka

26/08/2019

Pettah is a maze of streets and alleys selling goods of every description, from colorful textiles to the daily commodities such as spices, fruits and vegetables.

Roam the bazaars with us on an immersive and insightful walk through the district of Pettah.

Explore, Discover & Experience Pettah!

19/08/2019

'Storytelling' - the most purest way to connect with the people, culture and history of a place.

Join us on a Heritage Walk to meet locals and uncover insightful stories of Colombo and it's treasures.

Discover Colombo!

11/08/2019

Stop by one of Sri Lanka's oldest churches, the Mission to Seafarers, also called St. Peter's Church.

Discover its origin story and colonial history during a heritage walk through the streets of Colombo Fort.

09/08/2019

Stepping out of the busy city and into a peaceful temple is one way to rejuvenate a wanderlust soul exploring Colombo.

Witness an array of faiths and visit their places of worships to discover the cultural diversity of an age-old Colombo.

09/08/2019

The spices of old Ceylon are still treasured by many wayfarers to this day.

28/07/2019

Roam through the bazaars of Pettah and discover the ingredients used in a variety of Lankan cuisine

Plan your walking excursion now! travel

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Crafting Journeys!

Odysseys is a travel company that designs experiential and bespoke travel throughout Sri Lanka. Odysseys was founded in 2017 by travel enthusiasts who have explored the hospitality and tourism industry for over 6 years as tour executives, travel specialists, hoteliers and foodservice personnel.

We are avid voyagers ourselves and wanderlust is part of our existence.

Whether it be tailor-made for you or hand-picked by us, our journeys and excursions connect travelers with meaningful, insightful and personalized travel experiences.

We aspire to help people embark on their odyssey to experience the world through travel.