Geoffrey Bawa and Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel

Sri Lanka is blessed to be the home of the world renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa (1919-2003). While he practiced throughout the world, he's best known as the father of Asian tropical hotel/resort architecture. If you've ever stayed at a beach resort that's filled with exotic woodwork and seems to be one with the surrounding natural environment, you can thank Bawa.

Bawa built many of the better tropical resorts in his native Sri Lanka, including a stunning complex down south near Galle, the Jetwing Lightouse.

Standing in the lobby area, looking out to the Laccadive sea.

The play of light on a hotel door. A closer look at the veranda off the lobby and the sea view.

The main courtyard, a beautiful interplay of concrete, light and nature.

Rocks were left and incorporated into the overall design. Bawa also believed in providing opportunities to artists and sculptors to design site specific works for his projects. This staircase is a commission from Laki Senanayake that depicts the fierce battle of Randeniya between Portuguese horsemen and the local fighters. Quite a ride up the staircase.

Bawa, skilled at bringing the outside in.

Galle Art Deco Hotel

Who knew that within an old Dutch settlement in Sri Lanka from the 1600s there would be a couple of dozen beautiful Art Deco buildings? A mix of houses, apartments and hotels are tucked away between blocks of traditional colonial tropical architecture.

One of the best examples of the Art Deco style is this stunning and well-restored hotel. It rivals anything you'd see in South Beach.

Through a custom-shaped circular window. The elegant staircase.

The inviting dining room, a feast for the eyes. The window halfway up the staircase, totally custom and a shape that emulates the sails of ships in the harbor. Nifty.

Another look at the hotel front, complete with elaborate street side fence.

Real Estate Rehab, Galle

Who wouldn't want to live in Galle, Sri Lanka? It's a cute old town, beautifully preserved and full of character. Now if only there were some lights in the house. Time to rehab.

Unrestored Art Deco and inner courtyard-style housing is available, ready for some massive TLC.

A typical traditional-style house, flush with the street and then an inner courtyard for private family use.

The bones and designs of the houses are there, if not any modern conveniences, say, electricity.

Daily Life in Galle, Part 2

Another day, another group of photos showing daily life in Galle.

The betting office. This gentleman's job is to bind the daily betting results into big books. Record keeping instantly antique.

For a few rupees, you can get a rampart diver to perform.

Old style mailbox. A detail of a labor federation sign, featuring the mightiest labor tool of all.

School kids waiting for the bus. The best statue we've seen - at the school, the school kids themselves honored.

Daily Life in Galle, Part 1

Galle, Sri Lanka isn't a tourist trap of boutiques and restaurants. It's a living city with a daily pulse. Stroll around and you get to know the rhythms of the streets, the habits of the people. A nice life.

Navy cadets, sharing a laugh before the daily training begins.

A sober sign on the office wall at the Navy training complex. It marks the water level of the 2004 tsunami.  A family out with the kids for ice cream.

No doubt where this bus is going. You do not want to get on it! A muslim boy, off to school.

A woman reading the morning prayer on her porch.

The Glory of Galle, Sri Lanka

That's pronounced like "Gaul." It's a bustling city at the southern tip of Sri Lanka and within the modern metropolis sits a remarkably well-preserved, but still living old Dutch settlement section. There's the requisite fort and seaside ramparts, but there's also a whole community still living, going to school and working within the historic district. Think part French Quarter, part Key West.

One of the old government buildings at sunrise.

An arched gateway into the old town.  A romantic street corner. Squint to lose the palm trees and you could be in Italy.

Lovely and elaborate elephant carvings lining the exterior of a small Buddhist temple. The Dutch Reformed church.
Sri Lankan stupa still life with tuk tuk.

Little lane, enough room for a tuk tuk. The old cathedral, now the main Muslim mosque.

What's a seaside fort without a lighthouse?

At The Surf In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is tropics all the way, including stunning beaches. They are different from a white sand, Caribbean hideaway, more beige and attached to permanent fishing communities. But when that sun starts to dip, the beauty is universal.

Frolicking in the backlit beauty.

A stunning sunrise over the southern old town of Galle.

Fishing boats are all around, showing off the creativity of their owners.

Not a bad place to call your office, if you're a fisherman.

Did someone order a beautiful sunset?