“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Everytime we love, everytime we give, it’s Christmas.” -Dale Evans The sound of laughter echoes across the hall as the warm amber glow emanating from a dozen pale candles set between wreaths of pine and cone dance across the archaic columns and old oak banisters of the space. A gentle lull from the Indian Ocean takes my mind away to a special place of green lawn, endless sky and gusty winds where a child hops to and fro. Captivated... Enthralled. In his hands he firmly grips on to a braided string that reaches for the heavens where a multicoloured paper kite spreads its arms; proud and free. The child is jubilant. He glances over his shoulder expectantly, meeting a response of excited cheers by family and friends who gather around him. They follow his gaze up to the sky where the paper kite threatens to break free. The cackle of laughter skips through time to a table set for all where the jubilation still remained. Those familiar wreaths of pine and cone neatly arranged between them furnished the surface while the flames of candles shuddered now and then as the scent of fresh pine seeped through his nostrils and he closed his eyes as his senses lulled and the spectacle around him dissolved once more. A light flutter and the sound of approaching footfall catches my attention and I open my eyes, leaving behind the scene of wreaths of pine and cone. I rise to my feet and with open arms embrace my dear friend. I cannot help but smile childishly. Christmas is is here at last. Live music by pianist Main Lobby 6 p.m - 9 p.m From a near distance the sound of music tumbles through the air seamlessly and a Grand Piano sits beneath a beam of sunlight that ushers in an almost golden glow to the space. The chitter chatter of the room blends is here at last. in with the music as the hustle and bustle of the city is instantly lost in a microcosm of magic and laughter, reminding us all in that moment that it is indeed the season to be jolly. Daily at the Main Lobby & South Wing Lobby Santa’s Workshop Rudolph’s Surprise Cane Basket - Large Cane Basket - Large 01 kg Traditional Christmas Cake 01 kg Traditional Christmas Cake 01 kg Rich steamed Christmas 01 kg Rich steamed Christmas pudding pudding (x 6) mince pies with rich (x 6) mince pies with rich compote of brandied fruit compote of brandied fruit 250g Christmas Cookies 250g Christmas Cookies 750g (x 1) Christmas Marzipan Stollen 750g (x 1) Christmas Marzipan Stollen Panettone Panettone 600g (x 1) Breudher 600g (x 1) Breudher (x 2) Marinated Goat Cheese (x 1) Marinated Goat Cheese in jars in jars (x 2) Galle Face chutney (apple, (x 1) Galle Face chutney (apple, dates, dried fruits & nuts) dates, dried fruits & nuts) (x 1) Christmas Chocolate Santa (x 1) Christmas Chocolate Santa 500g (1 pkt) GFH Love Cake 500g (1 pkt) GFH Love Cake (x 1) Crunchu la arch Chocolate (x 1) Crunchu la arch Chocolate 200g (x 2) GFH Tea blend 200g (x 1) GFH Tea blend (x 2) Fennel roasted olives in jars (x 2) GFH rosemary honey (x 2) GFH rosemary honey 500g (1 pkt) Oven roasted mixed nuts (x 1) GFH Prince Philip’s car 500g (1 pkt) Fresh dates chocolate 500g (2 pkt) Oven roasted mixed nuts Total Rs. 15,000/- 500g (1 pkt) Fresh dates Total Rs. 23,000/- Croquet & Pimm’s Daily at The South Lawn, 4 p.m. Elve’s Nibbles Cane Basket - Medium 500g Traditional Christmas Cake 500g Rich steamed Christmas pudding (x 6) mince pies with rich compote of brandied fruit 750g (x 1) Christmas Marzipan Stollen 600g (x 1) Breudher (x 1) Christmas Chocolate Santa 500g (1 pkt) GFH Love Cake (x 1) Crunchu la Arch Chocolate 200g (x 1) GFH Tea blend 500g (1 pkt) Oven roasted mixed nuts 500g (1 pkt) Fresh dates Total Rs. 9,900- Add ons Red Label - Johnny Walker Rs. 10,000/- Angoras regent brut Rs. 3,200/- Glenfiddich 15 years Rs. 23,000/- Australian Shiraz Melot Rs. 3,500/- Billecart Salmon Rs. 13,000/- English afternoon tea with Bagpipers daily at The Verandah/ Chequeboard, 4 p.m - 6 p.m And as dawn transforms to noon the refreshing notes of bagpipes complemented by the pulse of the ocean accompany a fine cup of seasonal tea, setting all that is around into a rhythmic dance of flavours, culture and heritage against a veranda decked with holly, making you realize that it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. 2nd Sundnay at the Main Lobby, 7.30 p.m The beige walls of rich colonial interior begin to take on a glittering glow as wreaths and ornate baubles are hoisted in a myriad of sparkling complexity by gatherings of guests and friends alike. Excitement fills the room as that special tree is hoisted and prepared for that iconic moment that kick starts the season with a spirited hoorah and a hearty cheer! Meanwhile, a cooling southern breeze sweeps through the corridors as the last rays of scarlet light disappears beneath the horizon, only to be replaced by the rich hues of blue and velvet across a marvelous display of stardust upon the December sky, like jewels on the robes of a king, while the sounds of carols rise and fall into the night. FestivePlease contact 0777 222 135 dinner buffet for reservations 18th Tuesday The Verandah With live music at The Chequerboard 19th Wednesday 20th Thursday 21st Friday 22nd Saturday 26th Wednesday 27th Thursday 28th Friday With live acapella music by Voiceprint 29th Saturday 30th Sunday While the quaint serenity of the Ocean waves breaking gently over Neolithic rock offers a therapeutic ambiance, the subtle elements of Christmas protrude mischievously from all around. Lemonade madness daily at The Pool Bar/Traveller’s Bar, 10 a.m onwards. As the carol of the bells chime magically in the background I lean against the sturdy bark of an old tree and watch as the children frolic across the lawn, like kites bouncing in the midst of a soft breeze. Friends and family alike gather and the sound of chatter seems to me like music – sweet and warm. They throw their heads back in a motion of laughter, occasionally raising a glass or two in jubilant acknowledgement. And as I relax beneath the shade of coconut trees I hum to the tune of an old Christmas carol as the soft crackle of melting ice cubes attracts my attention to a splendid variety of lemonades marvelously arranged before us. Daily at The Chequerboared As the family gathers, the sweet taste of Pimm’s accompanies the precious hours of hysterical giggles and occasional jest that traditionally follows the Sunday family gathering. And between the casual chitter chatter I catch a whiff of history; the story of Pimm’s- a child of the United Kingdom, brought to our sunny shores as the first ever international export in the early 19th century. And as I sip on a perfect concoction of strawberries, cucumber, mint & orange and one part Pimm’s, I am completely and thoroughly overcome by a wave of vintage nostalgia that takes my mind back to old Ceylon. With the evolution of the season, that special day arrives at last, bringing family and friends together across continents and across time; mending what was broken, seeking what was lost, rekindling what had faded. And as the spirit of Christmas grows within us, the fumes of roast chicken and potato mash along with an assortment of breads and wines creates a thoroughly captivating experience as the gathering feasts on the joys that only fellowship can offer. Please contact 0777 222 135 for reservations 24th Monday Christmas Eve dinner Grand Ballroom Accompanied by Christmas carols Christmas Eve dinner The verandah Live music at The Chequerboard Christmas Sit-down meal The 1864 Live music 25th Tuesday Christmas Day lunch The verandah Live music at The Chequerboard Christmas Day Roast The 1864 Live music 31st Monday New Years Eve dinner The verandah Live music by a Cuban band New Years Eve sit-down The 1864 Live music meal And just like that, the season ends as the days melt and the hours drift away with the wind. I inhale deeply as I sit overlooking the sun setting upon a year gone by so quickly, and I watch as I wait for the dawn of a new age. What joys, what challenges should this new year bare? I wonder. Yet in the uncertainty of the future that is an ever present complexity, I am content in this time and place and I eagerly yearn the same for you. Band entertainment every Thursday - Sunday, 7 p.m to midnight. I long to see your smile, shining like the myriad of stars that illuminate the darkened sky. And like the ocean below it, may you always find time to kick off your shoes and sway to the rhythm of the night. May this new year be as breathtaking as the most splendid of sunsets, come what may, for we live upon this earth for just the span of a breath. And as the sun sets upon the Galle Face Hotel, we wish you and your loved ones a Illustrations by Shahdia Jamaldeen For more information please contact us on T: (+94) 112541010 E: [email protected] W: wwwgallefacehotel.com.