Dutch Thali

By Juliet Coombe

Wafts of spices mixed with cinnamon and heady smells of hibiscus hit you as you enter through the grand teak doors of Landesi by Jetwing, Galle Forts grandest Dutch villa. It is distinctive from the other Galle Fort merchant houses due to its outstanding position on Middle Street overlooking Sri Lanka’s oldest hotel The Amangalla (previously known as the N.O.H) on one side and the Dutch Reform Church built in 1755 on the other. A homage to the past great Dutch builders that engineered the fully walled citadel situated a minute walk away from the house is a marvelous creation over four years by the owner Stephen Labrooy.

Dutch Origin

The local joke in the area is that it is in the middle of Middle Street as one side of the road is typically Dutch style architecture and on the other it is British colonial. Landesis name translates as ‘of Dutch origin’ –and from the moment you enter the veiled teak crisscross slated door way, you will be wowed by the colonial elegance of this splendid building whose architectural brilliance was a combination of architect Ashley De Voss and Stephen Labrooy.

The colonnaded porch that takes you through the grand tropical garden on the ground floor and holds up the main two bedrooms on the second floor is breathtaking whether early morning or in moonlight. Here one can enjoy breakfast on the top verandah overlooking the old city or a cool drink in the open as the main dining seating area occupies views of both the old streets and the idyllic tropical garden, where peacocks can be found fanning themselves late afternoon. –

See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/dutch-thali#sthash.l6BmfzNR.TTbYqK3I.dpuf