Sri Lanka- Country of Hospitality

Never in my Wildest dream or imagination would i ever thought of being in Sri Lanka, what more to perform there. However, it all became a reality last weekend whereby me & Jimmy were invited to perform in a Thai Restaurant Launch by the beach in Colombo. It was absolutely a mind blowing experience, an eye opener, and of course we were treated with 1st class service from the Number One Tycoon in Sri Lanka- Mr. N.Vakeesan. It was a great pleasure and honored for the kind invitation to perform in a country filled with Hospitality & Smiles. This will be a Sweet memory which i would carry around and spread whenever the name Sri Lanka is brought up.=)

Ahhh....Finally, the Mosaic Team touched base in Colombo, Sri Lanka Airport@ 345am Local time...phew!!

With our first Sri Lankan friend, Achin who works with DHL back in Kuala Lumpur on board the business class

Our Driver, Raja holding Mosaic's Events Manager name: Reema

Reema & Dennis Lau

Mount Lavinia cab to Mount Breeze Hotel where we put up for a night before heading to.....(scroll down and u will know*winks*)

Sandwich for Breakfast....ratings would be 4 out of 10

But after u dip into this...

The ratings shoot up to 9/10...no kidding. The Taste of Curry there is of course a class above!

Introducing the "Donald Trump" of Colombo- Mr. N.Vakeesan a.k.a Sri Lanka Tycoon

First Breakfast in Colombo.

Alright, as our mission here is to perform for an event. Specifically a launch of Mr. Vakeesan's Thai Restaurant, I would of course want to recce the place to see the lay out....therefore, we gotta cross this railway track first behind Mount Breeze Hotel.=)


....to this place...the Thai Restaurant...are you sure?!?!

Are you kidding? this is the morning of the event....

The timber for the floor...

Its barely 60% complete... and the launch is tonight..

I told Mr.Vakeesan:" It would be a miracle if this completes by evening 7pm"
and he said with the Strong Indian accent:"Dont worry, dont worry, when i say is done, is done~~"
-_-"


Vakeesan & his workers

Crossing back to the Hotel after recce

Oh, and did i mentioned the launch is at the beach side..how cool is that?!

Dennis, Vakeesan & Brendan

Reema, Dennis & The Tycoon

Mount Breeze Hotel..One of the 1800 Properties by Mr. Vakeesan

Michael Jackson is pretty much the hyped in Sri Lanka and brendan brought me to the Ballroom to show me whats it all about....


Brendan the Hippie

Now this is what i call Life~!
After our tour around the hotel and beach, we were transferred to one of Vakeesam's apartment. There is a roof top swimming pool with crystal clear water=)

View from the Roof Top

& Inside the Apartment~

My room

Looking out into the sea, listening to the gush of waves, and feeling the breeze on your face just make you feels like...gosh, you hope that "someone" is feeling this too!=)

Heading back to the Hotel for Lunch with our Driver, Kamal....You know in Sri Lanka, all drivers Honk at the car in front every second...for example:" Beep Beep Beep(Ex-Cuse-Me)", then the car or vehicle in front would response with:"Beep Beep(Oh-Kay)"...and they would give way for the vehicle behind to pass..is like there's a conversation between the both drivers......If we Malaysians bloody Honk someone, you would expect a head sticking out along with a killer stare, or probably a third finger out of the window!

Kamal, Reema & Dennis..I was like:"Come Let's take a picture" and then click...
Kamal was like:"SHIT!!" when he saw the picture i took was in the camera frame..=)

Lion Stout totally Ousted Guinness

Cheers!

Understanding how the business works here in Colombo

After Lunch, we visited the site again, and well...it really looks like its nothing near to completion


Despite everything, Mr. V is pretty confident about everything..look at that grin on his face=)
And he even have the time to bring me for a shave in his favorite Salon in Colombo...



Then, we headed back to the Apartment for a swim before heading down Back again
to Mount Breeze for the Thai Restaurant Launch=)

Reema & Dennis


In every country i travel to, I always make it a point to do a jumping splash (If that place has a pool of course)..If you think is childish, think about it....u dont get Jump Splash in every part of the world everyday u know!


Obviously, this time it went a little Not as expected cos i landed on my crotch...

So i decided to redeem myself as David Hasselhoff of Colombo..

I pretty like the wood on the ceiling of my room..


Its about 630pm and back with Vakeesam to the site of the Thai Restaurant



Blissful Sunset

Baby Zac of Brendan

When the light shines....
The unveiling of SAWADEEKAP...Thai Restaurant by The Beach


The Sri Lankans practically did the Impossible....

New Zealand dance Opened the event

These dancers are probably the closest to the Original i have seen~

& Finally is our turn, presenting......Dennis Lau & Jimmy Sax@ Colombo, Sri Lanka performing Prelude in F minor & I Just Wanna



I have absolutely no doubt that this music is new to the crowd and we didnt know what to expect, but it was a blessing we received an ovation for Prelude in F minor


Thank you Sri Lanka for having us=)

The Launch in Full celebration with various group performing~

This is how Sri Lankan party with Free Flow of Alcohol..

With some Sri Lanka musicians whom i have the opportunity to meet

Okay, they are the Only ppl i crossed path with the same skin color...frm Japan!~ Sayonara

Dennis Lau & Reema Bhullar

N.Vakeesan & Dennis Lau
Then, Reema found her "Someone" amidst the crowd, Introducing Adil who was kind enough to show us around Colombo in the wee hours at 4am till 630am Malaysian Time..and he was full of energy..reason why, because colombo is 3 hours behind..-_-"


Awesome Party!
The Magnificent SAWADEEKAP Standing Tall-

With its Fireworks..


Even European tourist thronged the party...Tour Sri Lanka 2009=)

The very next morning, Mr. Vakeesan planned a full day for us with the first ride in his 4 Wheel Drive which unfortunately have to fit 4 Males inside. Therefore, the violinist have to sit on the Tycoon's lap where this picture was taken~


Because Jimmy was on the other side..haha

Mosaic Tag Team in Hilton Colombo

Weddings happens here almost everyday, maybe Mosaic should consider setting up Mosaic (PVT) LTD in Colombo...lol

By the beach for our business meeting

Breathless Beach side

Sri Lankans cant stop talking about business Every minute of the day...Their Conversation basically evolves around Investments, Construction, Development, Properties, etc


With the Chairman in the middle=)

The underground Wine Cellar
..with the array of wines available


New friends in Sri Lanka. As you can see, N. Vakeesan is on the phone 24/7

Spectacular View=)

Next up, is shopping in Colombo, where we were brought to this place called Barefoot.=) I have to say that, things there are pretty unique but nothing much to bargain for as its a place meant for tourist..

Picked up a few things for love ones, picture taking is forbidden!

& Followed with some jokes and discussions

Cheers to all!


This is Ganga=)
And there, the food was delivered.......


This is the Sri Lanka delicacy which i have forgotten the name..sigh..but it tasted good.=)

Bidding Farewell to the host

Till the next time we meet..and Thanks N.Vakeesan for this Wonderful & Unforgettable Experience=)


Look at how Vakeesan describing the performance last night...Hilarious!


More Pictures coming up on facebook=)

Thanks

Peace- Good Music, Better Place

God Bless!

Dennis Lau
www.mosaic.com.my