10 Reasons Why We Love Our Swimming Pool.
10 Reasons Why We Love Our Swimming Pool.
10 Reasons Why We Love Our Swimming Pool.
My wife and I consider that creating our Natural Spring Fed Swimming Pool was our best decision when we built GlenMyu Estate B & B in Sri Lanka.
We love our swimming pool, for many reasons, and our guests at GlenMyu Estate feel the same.
It’s a unique experience in Sri Lanka and we encourage our guests to use it at least once a day.
The pool is a great place to spend some time after a hike at Horton Plains, Little Adams Peak or Upper Diyaluma Waterfall. It eases those muscles that you have had a workout exploring the local sights near to GlenMyu Estate.
Here are our 10 reasons which are in no particular order of importance.
1. It is natural - the water comes from a natural spring.
Our swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate is fed from a natural spring.
The water is cleaned through two natural filters, and finally through a mesh as a final barrier before it enters the pool.
The spring water drops into a shallow pool which gently warms the temperature of the water.
This water then spills into the main chamber so that there is a constant running flow of fresh water feeding the swimming pool.
The water exits from the far end of the pool (the infinity side) and drops into the stream which runs alongside.
Sounds of running water entering the pool and from the adjacent stream adds a calming sound to this natural environment.
2. Swimming surrounded by nature.
An important part of a stay at GlenMyu Estate is reconnecting with nature.Â
The natural spring fed swimming pool is surrounded by nature which is a feast for your senses.
The shades of green and occasional flash of colour from the flowers that envelop the pool are a delight for your eyes.
Birdsong, running water and sounds of the country are music for your ears.Â
The cool running water is refreshing for your skin and your touch.
It really is something that needs to be experienced.
3. It is so refreshing.
The swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate is not heated, but we don’t find this a problem at all.
Depending upon what time of day and period of the year you swim, the water can be comfortably warm or refreshingly chilling.
The temperature never gets too cold and I find that after swimming a few lengths I am warmed up.
Both my wife and I now don’t like it when a pool is too hot – it feels like you are having a bath!
The cooler water is really refreshing and I feel alive.
When I am a little tired, swimming a few lengths of the pool really wakes me up and makes me feel more energetic.
4. Morning swims and evening swims.
I really enjoy swimming when the sun is not at its’ strongest.
GlenMyu Estate sits an an elevation of around 1,000 metres above sea level. As we are near the equator the UV levels can be quite intense and it’s easy to turn a painful shade of red.
I love the light at these times of the day which changes the shades of green that surround the pool. The colour of the sky provide variety for your eyes at either end of the day.
5. Top up the tan and swim.
Our guests really enjoy sunbathing by the pool and then going for a swim to cool off.Â
It is a great way to relax whilst they are at the estate and when they want to have a rest day from exploring the country.
Unfortunately, despite our caution, several of our guests have turned a tender shade of pink from being in the sun too long. As GlenMyu Estate is at a high elevation the UV intensity can be quite strong and catch people out. Be warned!
6. No yucky chlorine smell.
As our water comes from a natural spring and is constantly flowing we hardly use chlorine to clean the pool as it is not required.
We occasionally use a little chlorine overnight and any smell from the chemicals are gone by the morning.
It’s such a great feeling swimming in natural water and being able to leave the pool without smelling of yucky chlorine.
7. Part of my daily fitness efforts
Inspired by recent guests at GlenMyu Estate, I am back to swimming once a day as part of my fitness routine.
I had stopped swimming regularly as I had gotten out of the habit.
Encouraged by our guests, I am now back swimming and feeling great. Sometimes I even swim twice a day. Is that indulgent?Â
8. Privacy -the pool is not overlooked.
We did consider placing the pool in front of the house which would have provided a wonderful view of the landscape towards the south coast.Â
It would have been a logistical nightmare to install and then to maintain.
The swimming pool is located a short walk away from the house next to one of the streams that goes through the estate.Â
We realised that siting the pool away from the house was the best place for it to be. This was reinforced by one of our French female guests that stayed shortly after we opened GlenMyu Estate. She really appreciated that no one overlooked the pool and liked the privacy that it gives.
9. No allocated times for swimming.
One of the surprises I had when I was looking at an advertisement by one of our neighbouring hotels.
They were offering a great deal to pack in the numbers. However, I was aghast at one particular line in the advert.
It stated that you would be provided with an allocated swimming time slot!
I love that we only have three bedrooms at GlenMyu Estate.
There is no need for “allocated swimming time slots”.Â
We have had one reach group take all three bedrooms and therefore they had the pool all to themselves.
Even if we do have different sets of guests in the three bedrooms it is only occasionally that they go to the pool at the same time.
Sometimes it is a good communal thing to to and guests like to discuss their experience they have had exploring the island and hand out recommendations for the next part of the trip.
10. Occasionally, I have it all to myself.
Maybe I’m becoming a grumpy old man!
I really enjoy swimming by myself taking in the surroundings. It’s almost meditative and although I am doing some exercise, I find it very relaxing.Â
The particular time of the day when the sun starts to go down and there is soft sunlight filtering through the greenery surrounding the pool is magical.
Sometimes the Sri Lankan Hill Swallows skim the surface of the pool taking in some water. At other times, the gang of parrots who are resident in one of the trees on the estate, skit from one tree to the other making lots of noise.
I love the energy that bring and conjure that they are having a bit of fun expending their last bits of energy before getting their heads down for the night.
Of course, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t say that I also like swimming with my wife (although she does tend to splash a lot when doing front crawl!).
10 Reasons Why We Love Our Swimming Pool. - Summary
- It is natural – the water comes from a natural spring.
- Swimming surrounded by nature.
- It is so refreshing.
- Morning swims and evening swims.
- Top up the tan and swim.
- No yucky chlorine smell.
- Part of my daily fitness efforts.
- Privacy -the pool is not overlooked.
- No allocated times for swimming.
- Occasionally, I have it all to myself.
Stay at GlenMyu Estate and enjoy our swimming pool.
A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.
We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.
The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,
GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.
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