Golden Mornings

The golden colours of the morning illuminate this photograph of the fields near Far Cry a few days ago, making it reminiscent of a painting by John Constable. The harvest this season promises to be a good one, with the weather gods looking benignly upon farmers’ endeavours. The sleeping “Bhoothaya” (the affectionate endemic term for a mechanized harvester) is symbolic of progress that local agriculture has made from traditional manual harvesting of rice. Romance aside, it nevertheless underlines a serious problem facing the industry. Mechanisation has arrived, but has not gone far enough to offset the acute shortage (and cost) of labour faced by farmers. Still very much a smallholder driven crop that has been an inherited generational practice, today’s youngsters have aspirations that go far beyond the prospect of the physical labour required to bring a crop to fruition.

Mechanical methods are best suited to large scale cultivation, and the current legal and administrative framework for paddy (rice) lands is mired in a pre-colonial era that does not encourage scaling up. Once the current generation of farmers dies out, will Sri Lanka depend on imported rice, or can the authorities drive a strong programme of modernization to mitigate this threat?

#GoldenMorning #JohnConstableVibes #HarvestSeason #MechanizedHarvesting #AgriculturalProgress #LaborShortage #SmallholderFarming #ModernizationEfforts #ImportedRiceThreat #SustainableAgriculture #RuralLife #TraditionalFarming #YouthAspirations #AgriculturalChallenges #FarmingCommunity #FutureOfAgriculture #RuralDevelopment #SustainableHarvest #ModernAgriculture #FoodSecurity

The Positive Energy of Flowing Water

Vaasthu and Feng Shui are ancient systems of spatial design that promote harmony, balance and well being in life. Originating in South Asia and China respectively, the two systems have many common elements, demonstrating the universality of certain design principles. One such principle is the importance of flowing water around places of abode – purportedly to regenerate positive energy.. Sri Lanka’s rural landscape is blessed with an abundance of flowing water, harnessed by our ancient kings for agriculture. It is no coincidence therefore that one feels so much at ease when spending a few days, or, if you are lucky, a week or more, in Sri Lanka’s beautiful countryside, be it in the hills or in the dry zone, within sight of a lake or a river. Far Cry is particularly favoured by irrigation channels that run around two sides of its boundary, as well as older streams that flow through it. Except in the driest of seasons, these channels carry water from our local “wewa” or tank to the rice fields below. I am convinced that the serenity of Far Cry is largely due to the water factor – so many of our guests have described it as “magical”. Why not come, experience it yourself?

Guest Reviews

So we created this word collage from words taken directly from guest reviews!

At Far Cry, we care about what our guests think of our services and facilities. That is why we passionately strive to exceed guest expectations.

There is nothing more rewarding than a positive guest review, and thrills us to see Far Cry through the eyes of someone new.

Stay with us and find out what these words mean to YOU!

Word cloud

Morning Walks at Far Cry

By

Yohann Dias

One of the delights of a morning walk along the trails at Far Cry is the lightshow that Mother Nature puts on for you. 

Every hue of green is heightened by the sunlight slanting though the branches as you wend you way through the forest. The chill in the morning air, the crunch of the dry leaves underfoot, and the calling of birds adds to the experience.

We are in the process of mapping out the nearly 2km of trails, so that visitors can plan their walks, and not get lost in the process! 

The Ceylon Oak

Not an English Oak, but this Ceylon Oak (Schleichera oleosa) or “Kon” in the vernacular, was at least half a century old when Far Cry was born. It was among a handful of large trees on what when then an abandoned chena (dry zone farm).Through the years it has held its own as the forest regenerated around it. It is quite a lovely sight as the leaves colour and fall around February and March every year, giving an illusion of autumn in the tropical dry zone! The yellow and gold colours never fail to amaze and uplift. Squirrels play on its trunks and birds nest in the hollows of its gnarled old branches. The fallen leaves spread like a carpet beneath it, eventually nourishing the soil as it decays . It is truly a reminder that trees give succour to living things in more ways than one. 

A huge tree
A person holding a red color leaf
Name tag of a tree.

Wild flowers.

By

Yohann Dias

Often overlooked, but always there for the keen of eye, wild flowers abound around Far Cry. The flowering shrub shown here – Blue Mist (Memecylon umbellatum) – is a good example. Blooming seasonally, the flowers give off a delicately sweet scent, which butterflies and bees find irresistable. A walk along forest our trails will yield hours of enjoyment, marvelling at these little wonders of nature.

Elephant fences.


By

Yohann Dias

Elephant fences are a necessary evil in the landscape around Far Cry, and many similar rural areas.  On the one hand, they protect farmers’ crops from marauding elephant herds, yet on the other hand they deny these herds their traditional rights of way, dating from time immemorial. Research has shown that elephants prefer to feast on tender young shoots and plants commonly found in human cultivations, rather than on the dry zone forest leaves and grasses which are difficult to digest. For us lovers of nature, the fencing ruins the beauty of the pristine natural environment as well.

The system installed around Galkadawala village is part of a large network of fences that “protect” an entire cluster of villages. It is powered by solar panels, and requires constant maintenance of the vegetation around it to ensure that the wires are not compromised through contact with the vegetation. Farmers organizations have undertaken this task.

At the time of writing it is reported that the fences have ceased to be operational after several solar panels were stolen. It is difficult to understand a mindset that would put lives and livelihoods at risk by such an act. However, herd incursions are now frequently reported, and farmers are resorting to the age old practice of guarding their crops through the night from the vantage point of tree houses.

In the midst of the current crisis, it is uncertain how quickly the authorities will react.

Far Cry Blog

On the Far Cry Blog page you will find random jottings of ideas, observations and useful information shared by the Far Cry Team. Click the heading to leave a comment.

Alfresco dining at Far Cry

Yohann Dias

Alfresco dining is now possible at Far Cry with the this beautiful outdoor table made for us by a local craftsman.

Talented craftmen of every ilk can be found in the most unikely corners of remote Sri Lanka. Wherever possible, we offer work like this to the local community, and we are never disappointed.

The table and benches were made out of re-cycled teakwood, previously used for the wooden pool deck.

The rustic design is in keeping with the character of Far Cry. It is a sturdy piece of furniture designed to absorb the vagaries of sun and rain for decades to come.

Sharing a meal at this table on a moonlit night in the company of family and friends is one of the many treats in store for you at Far Cry!