2020 has been a year of celebrating events a little differently, a year that has encouraged everyone to think outside the box of how to make someone feel special even when they’re miles away from you. And in keeping with the trend of unique celebrations, we had the opportunity to do something special for my father’s birthday at On The Rocks.
After many days of back and forth on what we could possibly do this year, with only half-baked ideas of doing something small at home, we came across Good Spirit Co on Instagram. Why celebrate in the confines of our home, where we spend most of our time nowadays, when we can celebrate at the beach? We immediately made a booking and asked a few of my parents’ friends to join us for the weekend.
While the entire weekend at the lovely villa was glorious, a special mention needs to be said of the birthday night. As the sun slowly dipped into the horizon, the staff at On The Rocks started to set up on the small patch of sand at the edge of the property, right by the rocks on the beach. They brought in a BBQ grill, a dining table and some chairs. They strung some fairy lights from the fence bordering the property and tree branches, giving the small sanctuary a magical glow.
Thusitha, our very hospitable host, had organized a bartender from one of the popular beach bars in Unawatuna, to demonstrate and make a few cocktails for us. Fully clad in a mask and gloves, he created some delicious drinks, his chili tamarind cocktail becoming a fast favorite of mine.
I appreciated the entire staff at On The Rocks taking an extra effort to make this night something to remember. They followed all the health and safety protocols, while wearing masks the entire time, not an easy task when you’re lugging tables and chairs from the house to the beachfront.
Another surprise they had in store for us was the 3-person Calypso band that had set up amidst the coconut trees. They cranked out some familiar tunes, enticing another sublime element into the atmosphere.
We chatted, we laughed, we savoured the BBQ, we sang happy birthday, and we took a moment to embrace the special ambience of the swaying coconut trees, the salty sea breeze, the white foam of the waves crashing on the rocks, and the soft sand between our toes. What a birthday!
