Guestbook . . .          The Villa Gaetano has been a lovely place to all that the Sri Lankan south coast has to offer. The villa is situated right on the beach with fine swimming and snorkeling in clear water just outside. The place provides a fine vantage point to see the finishing boats heading out at sunset and observe fishing anytime along the surrounding jettys. Surf conditions can be surveyed from the villa's balconies and several breaks are only a short walk away. Surfing clean, long waves alone or with only one or two other surfers is common. However, the international assemblage of surfers provides pleasant company. The warm, clear water is a treat and breaks are available for all ability levels. Quality surf boards of all shapes are readily and inexpensively available a short walk from the villa as is surf lessons Buses are readily available just outside to explore the temples, tea factories, markets, beaches, and craft stores that line the south coast. Potential day trip are a challenge to exhaust. A train stop is also nearby for longer trip. The villa itself is lovely and maintained with care. All the rooms are large and tastefully furnished with Sri Lankan character. The upstairs rooms provide balconies with fine views and sea breeze. The Gaetano family has been welcoming and happy to share information, making the villa all the more pleasant. They speak numerous languages with ease. Fine food is served under a thatch roof shelter with a view of the sea. A variety of Sri Lankan cuisine is prepared that highlights Sri Lanka 's stunning variety of fruits and vegetables. Most meals incorporate fresh seafood caught by surrounding fisher people. The breakfast, which includes abundant fresh fruit, provides a pleasant start to the day. It has been wonderful to see how the local communities have industriously recovered from the 2004 tsunami. The foundations of destroyed houses, some temporary houses, and continual carpentry provide reminders of the tsunami's impact. However, to my pleasant surprise, the vegetation seems to have nearly fully recovered and to be as beautiful as ever. The contrast of deep green vegetation and blue sea is lovely. Residents are eager to welcome visitors back to the island and visiting seems to be an ideal way to help complete the tsunami recovery. I highly recommend visiting the Sri Lankan south coast and the Villa Geatano.              Lauren Buckley                   An der  Suedkueste Sri Lankas werden Urlaubswuensche war!!! Sri Lanka , Maerchenland der Tropen, so waeren denn unsere Fuesse auf dieses schoene paradiesische Eiland gesetzt. Wir haben das Gefuehl, tief drinnen im Maerchenland der Tropen zu sein. Unser Urlaubsort Denuwale, in der Region Ahangama, in der Villa Gaetano, bei Familie Gamini, wurde uns waermstens empfohlen. Wir haben in der Villa Gaetano die Sanftmut und Freundlichkeit der Inselbewohner Sri Lankas kennen lernen duerfen. Mit viel Einfuehlungsvermoegen und Ruecksichtnahme auf unser europaeisches Empfinden, sind wir aufs Beste umsorgt worden. Familie Gamini (man spricht auch Deutsch) hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, uns zuverwoehnen und unseren Urlaub zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis zu machen. Der Privatstrand der Villa Gaetano ist wie aus dem Bilderbuch der Tropen. Fuer den Schwimmer, wie fuer den Taucher und dem Romantiker bleibt kein Wunsch offen. Das Essen in der Villa Gaetano hat uns sehr beeindruckt! Vom Lobster ueber King Prowns bis hin zum Haenchen-Curry, haben wir schlemmen und geniessen duerfen. Taeglich frisch gepresste Fruchtsaefte (my Favorite: Pineapple Juice), liessen das Gefuehl aufkommen, bereits das Paradies gefunden zu haben. Auch unsere Extrawuensche wurden interessiert und mit Begeisterung erfuellt. Vielfalt und Frische sind das Motto der aus ausgezeichneten Kueche. Wir bedanken uns bei der Familie Gamini und ihrem Personal fuer diesen traumhaften Urlaub und geben Hiermit unsere Empfehlung, die Herzlichkeit und die Gastfreundschaft der Villa Gaeteno selbst zu geniessen.       Manuela und Juergen Koske     01  |  02  |  03