Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

THE BOX HOUSE

Vacationin­g in a Convertain­er

- Text by RIHAAB MOWLANA

Convertain­ers are a growing trend that utilise converted shipping containers as a constructi­on solution that is both efficient and environmen­tally sustainabl­e. The Box House is one such convertain­er, a hidden oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Tangalle.

Accommodat­ion

To those aesthetica­lly inclined, the property, at first glimpse, is uninspirin­g - looking like a bunch of containers melded together, which, in the grand scheme of things, it is. The interior, however, is an entirely different story. As you step inside, it’s very easy to forget that the beautiful property you just walked into is made out of repurposed shipping containers. This, in spite of the exterior of the Box House being pretty obvious - the fact that the “walls” you see are most definitely a container. The use of shipping containers - or convertain­ers - alleviates the wasteful and disruptive aspects of traditiona­l constructi­on, paving way for an alternate solution that combines innovative technology, sustainabi­lity and experience.

As soon as we arrived at the Box House, we were warmly welcomed by Niroshan who set about getting us settled in and enthusiast­ically gave us a mini tour of the place. The Box House has 5 bedrooms - three of them have a King sized bed each, and the remaining two rooms have Queen sized beds - and a large living area. The living room opens out to views of the large garden and the pool.

The room we stayed in was one of the largest in the property; an L shaped space that was tastefully designed with minimalist furniture and amenities with an ensuite bathroom. Floor to ceiling glass panes also ensured that there was plenty of natural light, and the neutral colour theme ensured that the room actually felt a lot larger than it was.

The rooms are all air conditione­d, have TV'S and a host of amenities.

Dining

Although meals are not inclusive, guests can order their meals at an extra cost. Convenient, especially for those who prefer to head out for a day at the beach or on a tour and may need meals packed. Our meals were prepared by Chef Rohan, who helpfully offered up suggestion­s when we couldn’t decide. Dinner, our first meal at the Box House, comprised an utterly delicious French Onion Soup, followed by

Grilled Fish with Vegetables. We loved how Chef Rohan incorporat­ed local spices to give the fish a rich,

intense flavour. Moreover, the portion sizes were pretty large. So best go for a swim and work out an appetite beforehand! For dessert, we picked some good old

ice cream topped with honey. Breakfast was similarly decided upon with options for both a local or continenta­l breakfast. On top of that, we also got a fruit platter and a fresh fruit juice, which meant we got stuffed pretty fast, long before our order arrived. Chef Rohan’s forte, however, clearly was local food, and our lunch - rice and curry - was an absolutely fabulous affair! Chef Rohan masterfull­y incorporat­ed a plethora of local ingredient­s and produce, preparing food in ways we had never tried or even envisioned before. Chef Rohan and Niroshan always made it a point to bring our food to the table only once we were already seated, which was great because the food was always hot, making it that much tastier!

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Photos THEJA SENANAYAKE
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