Swimming Archives - GlenMyu Estate Luxury Bed and Breakfast

Swimming in fresh water

Holiday, Natural Swimming Pool, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda, Waterfalls / By Mikeez

Swimming in fresh water

Swimming in fresh water on holiday in Sri Lanka.

We would rather get some exercise rather than loll around in a swimming pool with the temperature of a bath!

We love swimming in fresh water in the GlenMyu Estate Natural Spring Fed Infinity Swimming Pool.

Most travellers to Sri Lanka imagine tropical beaches and swimming in the warm waters touching the shore.
There are lots of opportunities to experience this sensation at the array of beaches around the coast.
Many hotels have swimming pools that have warm pools where you can cool yourself after sunbathing in the tropical sun.

We offer a different experience at GlenMyu Estate, which is located in the Sri Lanka hills at an elevation of around 1,000 metres above sea level.

What's the difference?

In fresh water, however, you will feel less buoyancy since it is not as dense – meaning you’ll need to put more effort into your strokes while swimming.

We like this as it’s one of the ways we get our exercise at GlenMyu Estate.

Read about the differences in the article by Blue 70 All for the Swim article “Swimming in Fresh Water vs. Salt Water: What to Know”.

We recently took a short break at Marble Beach, Trincomalee, and experienced the difference in buoyancy. The water was warm and was a welcome relief to the August sun. My wife and I swam in the warm waters in the early evening and the buoyancy was such a different sensation.

Snorkelling in Trincomalee waters

Whilst we were staying at Marble Bay and subsequently in China Bay, we snorkelled for the first time in our lives. We loved it and saw lots of fish.

The instructor asked us if we wanted buoyancy aids which are important if you are a weaker swimmer.

We declined and for us it would have not added tenth experience. I had difficulty lowering my legs in the salty water to get my flippers going! So I ended up mainly using my arms to pull me around to explore the sea life.

Having a bath in Galle

Another experience we had was in a hotel swimming pool near Galle in June.

The temperature of the water was so warm sapping my energy so much that I didn’t want to swim.
For me it was a place where you could play with a beach ball or frisbee, drink a cocktail at the pool edge and certainly not a place where I could swim.

As with lots of hotel pools, the smell of chlorine was almost suffocating, and didn’t add to the experience.

Sometimes it's a challenge swimming in fresh water

I love the temperature at GlenMyu Estate. It’s like an English summer for most of the year. Living in shorts and t-shirts is an idyllic way to spend your life.

Daily temperatures we experience at GlenMyu Estate ranges from 22 °C and 26 °C . It can go a little higher but we have lots of tress to provide some shade.

However, during October, November and early December we get less sunlight to warm the swimming pool. This makes getting in the water for a swim a little more challenging. I always recommend to guests that they do two or three lengths of the pool to warm themselves up. After that you can really enjoy your time in the pool.

It's all about what you prefer

The great thing about being on holiday in Sri Lanka is that you have the option of fresh water or warm water swimming.

They say that “variety is the spice of life”, so having options whilst you travel around this tropical island gives you plenty of choice.

Fresh water swimming near to GlenMyu Estate

Just under one hours Tuk Tuk drive from GlenMyu Estate are the fabulous Upper Diyaluma Waterfall and Pools.

It’s still being discovered by travellers and we normally visit early in the morning and have experienced the whole place to ourselves.

So far, Upper Diyaluma Pools are unspoilt and visiting is an amazing experience and is something we recommend to our guests.

Our guests have an advantage over the travellers staying in Ella. As we are closer to Diyaluma our guests can beat the crowds to the pools and enjoys a less crowded experience.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and enjoy our Natural Spring Fed Swimming Pool

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

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.

Swimming in fresh water Read More »

Sri Lankan born Olympic Swimmer David Wilkie

Holiday, Natural Swimming Pool, Sri Lanka, Travel, Waterfalls / By Mikeez

Sri Lankan born Olympic Swimmer David Wilkie.

Sri Lankan born Olympic Swimmer David Wilkie.

Reading the sad news of this sportsman’s death made me aware that he was born in Sri Lanka.

David Wilkie was born in the capital of the then named Ceylon in 1954. His parents were stationed on the island at the time.

He started swimming at the Colombo Swimming Club.

Who was David Wilkie

“David Wilkie was an “extraordinary talent” and “one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes”, says fellow Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew”.

This is a quote from a BBC Article titled “Wilkie ‘probably one of Britain’s greatest’ – Goodhew”.

He was sent to boarding school in Edinburgh at the age of 11. At first he hated moving from the tropical island, however by his early twenties he had established himself as a champion swimmer.

From Sri Lankan Sun to Edinburgh Chlorine

In the BBC Sporting Life Podcast, David Wilkie said ” The fun of swimming in Sri Lanka’s warm waters was replaced with cold, crowded and regimented pools with nylon ropes and the smell of chlorine”.

An Olympic Champion

Swimming for Great Britain, he became Olympic 200m breaststroke champion in 1976 at the Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

His world-record time of 2:15:11 at the event would remain unbeaten for many years.

David Wilkie is the only person to have held British, Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic swimming titles at the same time.

Learning to swim in Scotland

I learnt to swim at the Commonwealth Swimming Pool in Edinburgh. My memories are that the pool was quite cold and I reluctantly went to the classes. I am however, really pleased that my parents sent me to learn to swim at an early age. Apart from keeping me safe, it has given me the opportunity to confidently join in various activities in my life.

The enjoyment I had canoeing as a boy scout would not have been as good if I was not a confient swimmer.

Learning to Scuba, when I was in Baltimore, Ireland was a great experience. It’s not something I have continued, but now living in Sri Lanka I have the opportunity to use this lapsed skill.

Swimming at the Natural Spring Fed Infinity Swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate has given me hours of pleasure.

My memories of David Wilkie

Being twelve years younger than David Wilkie, my memories are particularly around the 1976 Olympics.

I would have only been ten years old at the time and it would have been around the time I was learning to swim in the Edinburgh pool.

One thing that I do remember is being proud that a fellow “Scot” was celebrated during a tough period in the UK. There was little to shout about at the time. David’s success meant that the USA didn’t manage a clean sweep of medals at the swimming competition.

He also typified the 1970’s for me. A fine athlete with a moustache, sideburns and wavy hair. I considered him pretty cool with that look!

He was also a bit of a rebel creating a look that was unheard of in the staid world of swimming at the time.

Swimming in Sri Lanka

I was never going to be a champion swimmer. However, I have spent many holidays in the water, whether the beach or a swimming pool.

Swimming on holiday is a great experience , especially if you don’t swim regularly at home. Apart from the well known health benefits I find it good for my mental health as well.

It is particularly good for me at GlenMyu Estate. I listen to the birdsong in the background whilst the sea of the green surroundings makes me feel calm and connected to nature.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and experience swimming surrounded by nature.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

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.

Sri Lankan born Olympic Swimmer David Wilkie Read More »

The swimming pool is fabulous at this time of year

Holiday, Natural Swimming Pool, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda / By Mikeez

The swimming pool is fabulous at this time of year.

The swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate is fabulous at this time of year.

As there is more sun warming the water in early April the temperature is really appealing.

Our guests at GlenMyu Estate love it. Some prefer our pool than the warmer bath-like pools at the coast.

Surrounded by nature, and away from the crowds of Ella, GlenMyu Estate is a great alternative option providing a little bit of luxury on your holiday in Sri Lanka.

Wishing reach of so many places and things to do in the hill country most of our guests want to come back again.

What's so great about it?

There are so many things that we love about the natural spring-fed infinity swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate.

The refreshing temperature.

A place to exercise and to relax.

Soaking up the morning sun

Listening to the birds sing

Appreciating the beautiful scenery and landscape

Spending time with friends and family

Swimming by myself

An evening swim watching the changing colours in the sky

Reading a book on holiday

Drawing the natural landscape

The temperature

We really don’t enjoy swimming in a pool that is too warm. It just feels like we are swimming in a bath!

The temperature in the morning is quite cool, however, it’s a great way to start the day. If you are sleepy at all, a morning swim will wake you up!

In the late afternoon, around 4.30 p.m. the sun has gently warmed the water in the swimming pool.

It’s still a little fresh but very comfortable and a great way to the end the day

Many of our guests do a hike when they stay at GlenMyu Estate.

There are a lot of great places to explore, all within an hours drive.

One of the best things about our swimming pool is that you can swim after your hike to ease those leg muscles. Our guests love it!

What we love....

What hikes do we love to do the most at GlenMyu Estate?

We have a few favourites and there are several that we need to experience.

Horton Plains National Park (UNESCO)

A hike around the 11 kilometre circuit at Horton Plains National is one of our favourites.

The entrance fee is a little pricey for Sri Lanka, however the National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is well managed and a lot of local people are employed to keep the park well maintained.

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

A dip in the pools after the twenty minute hike to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall is another of our favourite things to do.

This is a less expensive outing and we love it there.

You get the benefits of both a short hike and a swim in the natural pools.

It's so new that it's on the todo list!

The Pekoe Trail

This new hike only opened in 2023 and therefore it is on our todo list.

The trail consists of 22 stages of a 300 kilometre walk starting in Kandy and going through Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and Ella.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and swim in the Sri Lanka hill country.

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

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.

The swimming pool is fabulous at this time of year Read More »

Swim as the sun goes down in fresh water

The best places to swim in Sri Lanka.

Bambarakanda Waterfall, Sri Lanka., Holiday, Life in Sri Lanka, Natural Swimming Pool, Sri Lanka, The Organic Garden at GlenMyu, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda, Waterfalls / By Mikeez

The Best Places to swim in Sri Lanka

The best places to swim in Sri Lanka.

We love swimming on our Natural Spring Fed pool in the Sri Lankan Hill Country at GlenMyu Estate.

Okay, we are a little biased because of where we live and what we like.

However, here are our favourites.

GlenMyu Estate is located in the Sri Lankan hill country and provides a unique experience for swimming on your holiday in Sri Lanka.

We like the coolness of the water which we find quite refreshing and encourages you to swim. It’s a great place to get some exercise and work off some of the calories from the delicious meals served by Ru.

I love swimming either in the morning or in the evening (or both).

It’s a great way to start and end the day.

5 of our best places to swim on you holiday In Sri Lanka.

Our 5 best places to swim when on holiday In Sri Lanka.

Here are our five best places to swim in Sri Lanka.

1.The Natural Spring-Fed Infinity Swimming Pool.

Our natural spring fed swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate is a really special experience.

We do not use chlorine in the pool so you come out from your swim smelling refreshes rather than with that chlorine smell.

The pool is located a small walk away from the house and you are not overlooked by other guests.

I love it when the birds provide the background music as I swim surrounded by nature.

2. Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda

As Upper Diyaluma is located just forty minutes drive from GlenMyu Estate.

There are lots of pools to swim in as you descend from the top of the waterfall. It’s an amazing experience, especially as it is relatively untouched.

It is becoming a favourite Instagram spot as there are stunning carvings in the rocks to sit and admire the views.

Upper Diyaluma is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka,

3. Maalu Maalu Hotel, Pasikuda

The East Coast of Sri Lanka is a less touristy detonation on the island. More hotels have been built in the last ten years or so and it is becoming a more popular place to holiday.

The beaches are best to visit during April to September while the rest of the island is experiencing monsoonal rains.

Although my wife and I are not massive sun worshippers we like the beaches in the East Coast of Sri Lanka.

There are less people at the beach, it safer as there is a shallow shelf and the scenery is stunning.

We really enjoyed our stay at Maalu Maalu Hotel by Thema Collection.

4. Bambarakanda Waterfall

Bambarakanda Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka and has a beautiful pool it’s foot.

It is a stunning place to swim in the cooler waters.

Bambarakanda Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It’s quite easy to access and is just around an hours drive from GlenMyu Estate.

5. Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay, on the South East coast of Sri Lanka is a great place for swimming and surfing.

During the season, there is a good buzz as the number of surfers inhabiting the town increase.

Although we are not surfers, we like the atmosphere and the stunning location.

There are lots of great beaches around this island.

Our five places to swim in Sri Lanka are just our preferences. Not being sun worshippers we really enjoy the freshness of the water in the waterfalls within reach of GlenMyu Estate.

Many of our guests arrive from the South Coast through December to April and rave about their time at the beautiful beaches.

We are building a number of beaches that we want to experience from our guests recommendations.

Rekawa, Hiriketiya and Talalla beaches are our current top three that we want to visit in 2024.

We have a special spot in our hearts for Negombo beach because we got married at one of the hotels there.
Our friends, who attended our wedding, had a great time there, especially at the bride v groom cricket match we arranged at the beach.

Our 5 best places to swim in Sri Lanka.

GlenMyu Estate Swimming Pool
Upper Diyaluma Waterfall
Pasikuda on the East Coast
Bambarakanda Waterfall
Arugam Bay

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and enjoy our Natural Spring-Fed Infinity 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.

The best places to swim in Sri Lanka. Read More »

A New Year's resolution - to swim every day.

Today, I was swimming in the rain.

Holiday, Natural Swimming Pool, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka / By Mikeez

Today, I was swimming in the rain.

Today, I was swimming in the rain.

It was only a light drizzle and I was determined to carry out my pre-New Year’s resolution.

A pre - New Year's resolution?

You may well ask, what is a pre-New Year’s resolution?

I may have just made this up to fit what I wanted to do!

In essence I started my New Year’s resolution early.

Inspired by guests at GlenMyu Estate.

I had gotten out of the habit of swimming everyday.
Lame excuses were abundant and once I was out of the rhythm, it was hard to get back.

In early November 2023, we had guests from the UK who used the swimming pool once, and sometimes twice, a day.

I was impressed.

After lots of discussions it turned out that one of the couples’ parents had a swimming pool in the UK. Swimming everyday had become a habit for the family and when there is a swimming pool, they will swim!

I was a little embarrassed when they were surprised that my wife and I didn’t use the pool more often.,

Inspired by them, I was determined to swim everyday.

I would not relent, whatever the weather, and this is why today, I swam in the rain.

My ambition was to swim twice a day but, I knew that when we have guests, this would be a hard goal to achieve.

Swimming in the rain in Sri Lanka.

There are times of the year where swimming in the rain in Sri Lanka would be a challenge.

We had some uncharacteristically heavy downpours in October. I would have forgiven myself for not swimming in this extreme weather.

However, for most of the year, even if it is raining, swimming in the rain poses no difficulty.

Swim in the morning, swim in the evening.

I actually like to swim in the morning and the evening.

As our swimming pool is not heated, a morning swim is refreshing, wakes you up and you know that you are alive.

In the evening, the water has been warmed by the sun and it is a more pleasant temperature with no shock to the system.

It’s a really good way to end the day. Calmness surrounds as I am relaxing my muscles and connecting with nature as the birds start finding their nesting places for the night.

Connecting with nature - swimming in the rain.

You definitely feel more of a connection with nature and the elements when swimming in the rain or other conditions.

I a reminded of this when a couple of Sri Lankan Hill Swallows skim the water taking a sip.

And relax.

Part of the experience is to sit at the end of the pool admiring the nature surrounding you and watching the sky change colour.

It’s then that I feel lucky to be able to commit to my pre-New Year’s resolution.

Swimming, whatever the weather at the pool at GlenMyu Estate is something that you should try for yourself if you are on holiday in Sri Lanka.

I’m sure you would love it as much as I do.

Swim, whatever the weather, at GlenMyu Estate in the Sri Lankan Hill Country

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.

Today, I was swimming in the rain. Read More »

Swimming in the mist – a unique experience.

Holiday, Natural Swimming Pool, Sri Lanka / By Mikeez

Swimming in the mist.

Whatever the weather swimming in the natural spring fed pool at GlenMyu Estate, Sri Lanka is a unique experience.

Despite the weather, swimming when the mist sweeps through the Sri Lankan Hill Country it is a great experience.

The mist provides silence apart from the sounds of the water and some birds flying around.

Water temperature is refreshing and invigorating. The feeling when I finish my swim is amazing.

Swimming in the morning before the sun comes up.

The best start to a morning is to enter the swimming pool and get my exercise out of the way early. Swimming is good for you in so many ways and my muscles get a good workout without the stress as they are supported by the water.

The birds are up and about and provide the background music. As I swim I watch the birds swoop by as they choose where they start their day.

Swimming in the evening.

At the end of the day the colours by the pool make an evening swim a special place to be.

It’s so tranquil watching the colours change as the sun goes down. Any tiredness from the day is washed away by the cool, refreshing water which has been gently warmed by the sun during the day.

Sometimes it just me at the pool. It’s a great time for reflection and giving thanks for another wonderful day in the Sri Lankan Hill country.

The Sri Lankan Hill Swallows swoop and take a sip of water from the pool. I have no idea why they really want to do this. Below the pool we have a large stream where they could drink from. There may also be the added benefit of scooping up an insect of two that are on water. Perhaps a small fish that inhabit the stream.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

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.

Swimming in the mist – a unique experience. Read More »

Swimming at the natural pool at GlenMyu Estate

10 Tips for Staying Fit on Holiday in Sri lanka

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Horton Plains National Park, Natural Swimming Pool, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka / By Mikeez

10 Tips for Staying Fit on holiday in Sri Lanka.

10 Tips for Staying Fit whilst on holiday in Sri Lanka.

It’s easy to overindulge on holiday and put on a few pounds. Here are our recommendations to avoid this.

Our 10 reasons for staying fit on holiday are in no particular order of importance.

1. Staying fit on holiday - Start with a Swim or a run.

Explore the local area and community early in the morning on your run or jog.

You will most likely get a different experience than you would later in the day.

By doing some exercise early in the morning you will avoid the intensity of the sun and also will have expended some energy for a well deserved breakfast.

At GlenMyu Estate it is reasonably safe to jog along the road as traffic levels are low. You will enjoy a beautiful view of the Sri Lankan Hill Country as you run along the road.

I tend to swim in the morning at the Natural Spring Fed Swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate. An early morning swim is a refreshing and energising start to the day and I feel great when I have completed my lengths.

It’s also good for your should being surrounded by natures colours and sounds as you carry out your daily exercise.

2. Plan a majority of your meals.

We think that it’s really important that you don’t deprive yourself of the wide variety of cuisines available to you on your travels.

However, planning your meals can help you regulate your intake and reduce your chances of overindulging.

Perhaps alternating between sampling local fare and having salads and healthier choices would provide a good balance. It’s easy to ditch the salad when on holiday but having a lighter meal, especially when it’s hot, makes you feel good and healthy.

We provide a healthy and substantial breakfast at GlenMyu Estate, which means that you probably will want to skip your lunch and just have an evening meal. Perhaps a small snack in the mid-afternoon will keep you going until dinner?

Have a look at our food menu before you come and you can ensure that you select a healthy balance for your meals during your stay.

3. Staying fit on holiday - Indulge, but don't overindulge.

Yes, you are on holiday and there are all sorts fo temptations.
– The buffet breakfast where you need to sample everything (my personal issue resulting in my self imposed personal ban from buffet breakfasts).
– You want to get value for the money you have spent on the all inclusive resort.
– Dessert following every meal which you would never do at home.

All the work that you have done in the gym during the year to get those washboard abs could be wasted very quickly.

The answer to staying fit on holiday and not overindulging? Self-control , discipline and balance.

If you’re going to splurge out at dinner, make sure that you eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch to balance it out.

And those tempting drinks….

Most people tend to drink more on holiday than they do at home. Why not, it’s time for you to relax?

If you’re planning spending some hors at the bar drinking, make sure that you drink plenty of water as well.
You will feel so much better in the morning.

I experienced this when my wife and I were at a wedding in France. The wine kept coming but so did bottles of water. By hydrating as we drank the delicious wine the next morning was much more pleasant.

If you are drinking cocktails remember that there is probably quite a lot of sugar added. So one or two should really be your limit!

4. Go easy on alchohol.

In my experience it is tempting to overindulge on alcohol when you’re on holiday. The drinks are flowing, the sun is out and the conversation is flowing. My idea of a really relaxing holiday!

However, as you are aware, getting drunk can leave you dehydrated.

We are all aware that excessive drinking is not good for your health and just because we are on holiday it doesn’t give your liver a pas! Drinking to much and gettting drunk is also dangerous and risky (too many accidents happen on holiday due to overindulging).

Allow yourself to have some fun but remember, the key is balance.

5. Stay Hydrated.

Make sure that you bring a bottle of water with you to replenish lost fluids. Remember it’s hot in Sri Lanka (or on your sun holiday) and drinking water is a great way to keep healthy when you are on holiday.

Drink coconut water if you can, for optimal hydration benefits. Coconut water is rich in potassium and contains calcium and magnesium. We love king coconuts in Sri Lanka and they are readily available at lots of small shops along the roads as you travel. The shopkeeper will happily slice the top ff the coconut so you can drink it straight from the hole in the top.

6. Staying fit and healthy on holiday - Bring along your medicines, vitamins and supplements

Hopefully you will get a good level of good vitamins and minerals from the food that you eat when you are on holiday.

However, if you are on any medication please remember to bring it with you. You may be able to pick up some medicine when you are on holiday, if you do forget, however, it may not be the brand or formulae that you need.

Keeping up your regular vitamins and supplements whilst you are on holiday will help you stay fit as your body is used to it’s regular top up of foodstuffs that you normally take.

7. Incorporate movement and exercise in your daily schedule to stay healthy on holiday.

You probably do more exercise at home than you think you do. Walking up those stairs at work. Running to catch the bus. Being calories when doing the chores at home.

As you explore the country on your holiday you will no doubt be doing some light exercise unless you are on a long hike.

We would suggest that you take advantage of the facilities available to you. Walk up the stairs rather than using the hotel lift. If there’s a gym, allocate some time to try out the equipment. Book a hike to see the sights. Here a bike and cycle around the countryside. Make sure that you use the swimming pool.

Dance the night away in the local nightclub. Learn to Baila dance so you can show off to the locals.

You may be surprised that doing a mixture of things expend some energy and keep you in trim. The overall aim is to keep moving, burn calories and feel good.

8. Staying fit on holiday - Simple workouts that you can do anywhere.

There’s no excuse to give up your fitness routine when you are on holiday just because you are thousands of miles from the gym.

If your holiday is more lying at the pool catching the sun rather than hiking through tea plantations on the Pekoe Trail there are some exercise that you can do wherever you are. No equipment is needed.

We would suggest that you incorporate some or all of these exercises into your morning schedule so you have a healthy start to the day.

Squats
Lunges
Planks.
Crunches or sit ups.
Push-Ups.

9. Set aside some times to meditate and practice mindfulness.

We find that when tourists visit Sri Lanka for the first time they pack in as many activities to do and as many places to visit as they can.

Although Sri Lanka is a small island (similar in size to Ireland) it takes longer than anticipated travelling from place to place. There are also so many things to see and do on this paradise island you can openly see some highlights during your holiday. Some parts of the island are best visited at different times of the year so you will never be able to see all of the island in one trip.

Over-planning and packing too many things in on your holiday, can leave you feeling exhausted and drained. Making sure that you have regular minutes of quiet and relaxation will help you stay fit on holiday. Ensure that you allocate some good quality time for your regular mediation, yoga or stretching. Take time out to practice mindfulness.

One of our guests at GlenMyu Estate got up early each morning and did his stretching in front of the wonderful view from our main lounge.

Another regular visitor ensures that he does his evening walk on the road above GlenMyu Estate prior to having dinner. It is important to keep up the regular routine that he keeps at home.

There are lots of places around the five acre estate where you can take some time out, sit, rest and be with nature.

10. Get adequate rest and sleep.

Ambient temperature is a crucial environmental factor when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep.

According to Sleepfoundation the best room temperature for a comfortable sleep is approximately 18.3 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit).

You can read more about the research on the ideal temperature range for older adults to get a good night’s sleep at Healthline quote that, according to a new study, the optimal sleep temperature in the bedroom for older adults is between 20°C and 25°C. (68 to 77 °F). Results were published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.

Night temperatures in Sri Lanka vary around the island. You will find lots of hotels have air-conditioning which you will need to use to get the night temperature down.

Temperatures at GlenMyu Estate, Sri Lanka.

At GlenMyu Estate, we only have overhead fans in our bedrooms as the temperatures are cooler in the Hill Country. You can see from the data provided by ClimateData that the minimum temperature is between 16.5 °C
(61.7) °F and 19.7 °C
(67.5) °F during the year. These temperatures as typically at night and therefore within the scientific ranges to get a good night’s sleep.

Some of our guests have told us that they have had the best night’s sleep for a long time when they stay with us.

When it's dark, you get sleepy.

Sunrise and sunset in Sri Lanka do not differ significantly throughout the year. The reason for this is the proximity to the equator.

Typically during the year there will be up to approximately 12:30 hours the longest days happen to be in June. In December a night in Colombo lasts almost 13 hours.

Darkness roughly falls between 17:50 and 18:30 in Sri Lanka. Sunrise is usually between 5:45 and 6:30 depending on what time of year and what part of the country you are in. You can see further information on sunrise and sunset at WorldData.

We don’t get the late lighter nights during the Summer like those in the Northern Hemisphere.

When it gets dark outside you automatically feel sleepy. If it’s dark outside, your body naturally tells you that you should go to sleep”.

A mechanism kicks in when it is dark and floods your body with chemicals that regulates your sleep called melatonin.

When it’s dark outside, the melatonin builds up in your brain, but the daylight breaks it down.

10 Tips for Staying Fit on holiday in Sri Lanka. - Summary.

Start with a swim or a run.
Plan a majority of your meals.
Indulge, but don’t overindulge.
Go easy on alchohol.
Stay hydrated.
Bring along your medicines, vitamins and supplements.
Incorporate movement and exercise in your daily schedule.
Simple workouts that you can do anywhere.
Set aside some times to meditate and practice mindfulness.
Get adequate rest and sleep.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and keep fit.

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.

10 Tips for Staying Fit on Holiday in Sri lanka Read More »

Swim twice a day, is it indulgent?

Holiday, Life in Sri Lanka, Natural Swimming Pool, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel / By Mikeez

Is it indulgent to swim twice a day?

I was swimming in the swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate and the question came into my mind “Is it indulgent to swim twice a day?”.

We had recently had different sets of guests from the UK and then from Australia that had inspired me to get back into the water.

In the past I had occasionally swum in the morning and the evening. It was something that I really enjoyed and, like many things, I had gotten out of the habit.

However, my thoughts about swimming more than once a day made me realise how lucky I am. Also, when I see guests loving using our Natural Spring-Fed Infinity Swimming Pool, it gives me great pleasure to share this unique experience.

Is swimming good for you?

Website Swimming.Org list 8 Benefits of Swimming.

They include

A fully body workout
Great for general wellbeing
De-stresses and relaxes
Burns those calories
Lowers the risk of diseases
Supports the body
Increases your energy levels
Exercising without sweat

These are all very good reasons to swim and there are of course many more you could add to the list.

One that I would add is that it makes you feel great!

Famous swimmers - I'm in good company.

There are lots of notable people that enjoy a daily swim.

America – the White House.

The website Whitehouse History has an article about “A pool for the President”. Apparently Gerald Ford was an avid swimmer. The White House Press Room was converted into a swimming pool during Richard Nixon’s Presidency.

Nixon didn’t use the pool very often. Harry Truman, John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson were regular users of the swimming pool.

The original indoor pool at the White House was installed for Franklin D Roosevelt in 1933. Due to his polio diagnosis he swam for regular exercise.

I wonder how many swam twice a day?

Swimmers from the stage and screen.

Australian Actress, Nicole Kidman claims it was her favourite form of exercise. Nathalie Portman started swimming to ease muscle pain when filming the “The Black Swan” to ease the pain of rigorous training.

Kelsey Grammar, who plays Dr Frasier Crane takes about swimming for exercise.

Actress Hilary Swank was a good age grade swimmer and went on to compete in the Junior Olympics.

Even a podcast host.

In order to keep up with current events and politics in back in the UK, I listen to several podcasts.

One podcast that I subscribe to is “The Rest is Politics” is hosted by Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart.

I regularly hear Alastair Campbell gushing about his morning cold water swim in the Hampstead Heath Ponds and Lido in London. He is quoted in the Standard Newspaper that “You can have a proper swim. We go very, very early and there’s a crowd there with some good chat.”

Swimming twice a day - I don't feel indulgent.

When we don’t have guests at GlenMyu Estate I often do a lot of manual work around the grounds.

My main responsibility (and enjoyment) is to keep the grass on the lawns and pathways looking good. I can spend hours maintaining the land and it is quite physical work for a “fiftyish” year old.

Swimming before brush cutting and then at the end of the day is really good to ease those muscles and makes me feel great.

Swimming is great after a days hiking for our guests.

Lots of our guests enjoy a day trip from GlenMyu Estate to hike at Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Horton Plains National Park, The Pekoe Trail, Lipton’s Seat, Ella Rock or Mini Adams Peak amongst others.

Most guests, although they are quite fit, find the hikes some strain other bodies. Swimming in the pool at GlenMyu Estate is an enjoyable way to ease those muscles and spend some more time with your friends or your family.

We love it when our guests swim twice, three times....and more each day.

I really like to encourage our guests at GlenMyu Estate to use the pool.

Some part of the year, when there is less sun, it is a little chilly when you enter. However, you really feel alive and it wakes you up.

The pool is situated away from the house and our guest love the privacy. Don’t you hate going to a pool with bystanders watching from their hotel rooms that look onto the pool. I admit that I was always conscious that my body was quite far from looking like the Rock Johnson or Arnold Schwarzeneggar!

We also don’t use chlorine in the pool so you don’t leave the water smelling of chemicals.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate, Swim and explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

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.

Swim twice a day, is it indulgent? Read More »

Swimming at our natural pool in Sri Lanka

Why we love our swimming Pool.

Natural Swimming Pool, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka / By Mikeez

Why do we love our swimming pool?

Why do we love our swimming pool? Building our Natural Spring Fed Swimming Pool was one of the best decisions we made!

Why a swimming pool?

I certainly never had the ambition to have a swimming pool.

Whenever I swam in a pool in the UK, it was either too cold, or overrun with people. I used to dislike swimming lengths as there was always either someone in front slowing me down or some speedster was on my tail.

It felt very uncomfortable and, the result was that, I really did not enjoy swimming.

This may upset a few people or raise their temperature, but I also found it a little boring. Swimming length after length for such a long time to burn those calories was not very exciting. Nothing to look at and the echo of the noises in the pool was also off-putting.

Swimming on holiday was not much better. It was great to jump in the pool to cool myself off however the UV’s hitting my Northern Hemisphere skin meant that I couldn’t stay in the water for too long. Holiday swimming pools are also mainly for leisure and not for doing a little fitness. I needed to work off those calories eaten at the buffet breakfast!

I was surprised.

My wife was really determined to have a swimming pool. After all, it is an additional attraction for guests.

I was more concerned about spending our budget on the main house and grounds. However, my wife is very determined and she got her way.

We completed the building of GlenMyu Estate during the global pandemic and Sri Lanka was not open for tourists at that time. This meant that we had GlenMyu Estate all to ourselves.

After a hard days work on the estate progressing the landscaping, we started to go for an evening swim together.

I was amazed and surprised at the experience that we had.

The luxury of few.

There was a special luxury to be able to spend the late afternoon swimming with my wife without any other people. Apart from being good for our relationships chatting as we stopped for breath in between lengthy, it was also good for the body.

The strains and stresses on our bodies, which had been used to sitting in front of computer screens for years, were relieved by our swim. We got fitter and were able to increase the amount of time we spent in the pool.

GlenMyu Estate only has three bedrooms and therefore we have no need to provide time slots for the pool like other hotels. There is a luxury to this and we find that often our guests have the pool to themselves as other residents may be out discovering the Sri lankan Hill Country.

Now I have to time my swim.

I try to time my daily swim around guests either early in the morning on late in the afternoon. This gives the guests full access to the pool when they want it.

I’m delighted to be able to share this fantastic facility with our guests.

What do you find special about the swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate?

I love swimming either before the sun is fully up around 8.30 am. It’s a really refreshing start to the day and you know that you are alive as the pool is not heated! However, i assure you the temperature is not too cold and you will enjoy it.

As we are used to the cooler pool temperature we find that when we swim in warmer hotel pools it feels more like a jacuzzi rather than a swimming pool. Our pool temperature inspires you to swim rather than lounge around and play with a beach ball.

Our other favourite time is around 4.30 p.m. when the sun is starting to go down, The pool has been warmed during the day by the midday sun and is a nice temperature. Sometimes we swim through layers of warm into cold which is quite an odd sensation.

A little later, when the sun goes down around 6 p.m. – 6.30 p.m. is another amazing experience to swim. The colours in the sky can be quite spectacular and it easy to sit for a while admiring natures delivery.

Sight and sound

Another thing we love about the swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate is that we feel more connected with nature.

The sounds of the birds that provide the background music and the array of colours from the trees, plants and flowers are something special. Sometimes the Hill Swallows take sips of water from the surface of the pool (despite there being a stream below). I also love the sound of the parrots making loud noises as they speed from tree to tree.

Why do we love our swimming pool? No chlorine!

The swimming pool is filled from a Natural Spring. The water goes through sand and rock filters before reaching the pool. As we are in a region where we get enough rainfall, spread throughout the year, we are able to empty and clean the pool fully every month to six weeks (apart from drier months in July and August).

We don’t use chlorine in the pool as the spring water constantly flows in and out the pool. It’s such a good experience to have to deal with chlorine when swimming and leaving the pool with the chlorine smell.

Sometimes, if we see the start of the build up of some algae, we do stop the water over night and add a little chlorine to clear it, however it is all gone by the morning.

We love that our guests enjoy our pool.

It is a real pleasure talking to our guests about their experience in the pool.

Several of our guests use the pool more than once during the day. Our record is by a German couple who were in the pool four times in one day. We were really impressed!

It’s also great when families spend their time in the pool with their children. I love the noise and the memories that these families create.

I let all our guests know that they have to be careful in the sun as we are around 1,000 metres above sea level. The UV rays can be quite strong and it’s easy to get burnt.

Despite my warnings there have been too many sore red shoulders and legs for my liking!

Easing those legs and the body after a hike.

Many of our guests enjoy a day trip to Horton Plains National Park and complete the eleven kilometre hike.
A dip in the pool to ease those legs is a great way to end the day.

There are some other great hikes within an easy drive from GlenMyu Estate to enjoy which may test the body. Little Adams Peak and Ella Rock near Ella Town is just over an hours drive.

There are several sections of the new Pekoe Trail near to the estate. Some of our recent guests did the hike from Haputale to Lipton’s Seat and enjoyed a swim on their return.

Nearby stages are:
Stage 11 – Horton Plains to Udaweriya
Stage 12 – Udaweriya to Haputale
Stage 13 – Haputale to St. Catherine
Stage 14 – St. Catherine to Makulella
Stage 15 – Makulella to Ella
Stage 16 – Ella to Demodara

Stay in the Sri Lankan Hill Country at GlenMyu Estate.

GlenMyu Estate is located on the Wellawaya/Koslanda Road, four kilometres from Beragala. It is conveniently situated to do day trips to Ella Town, Diyaluma Waterfall, Bambarakanda Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Horton Plains National Park and many more.

We are listed on Booking.com and Airbnb however you can enquire about direct booking rates by pressing the WhatsApp button on our website.

You can see more information about a stay at GlenMyu Estate at our website and follow us on our social media channels.

Experience our Natural Spring Fed Swimming Pool for yourselves when you book your stay in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

Why we love our swimming Pool. Read More »