I like walking and taking a stroll every now and then, as it helps me to just immerse myself in the outer world. Walking in Sri Lanka is tough with the heat and it is very uncomfortable especially when your clothes are soaked with sweat. But we all know how important walking is to keep our body fit and healthy therefore, we need to find a way to manage the heat and spend some time walking; to keep it simple, I walk at a comfortable pace, one step at a time.
Whenever I visit a new country, I have always spent a significant amount of time, walking, to enjoy the world around me. I have to say, I was lucky enough to visit several countries before the COVID-19 outbreak. One of my favorite places in the world would be - wait for it - Melbourne, yes, I have to admit that it is a clichè. Melbourne has its own Sri Lankan colony, but we cannot deny the energy and beauty of the city. Maybe, that is the reason why Lankans chose Melbourne to migrate.
During my visits to Melbourne in 2015 and 2016, I had the privilege of meeting some wonderful people who were very good to us (Thevuni, Manesh, and I traveled together). We always managed to find time for ourselves to take a stroll in the city and the suburbs, trying to admire the landscapes and the natural beauty the country had to offer. And, I must say Australia is absolutely stunning in its own right.
On a sunny day in Autumn 2015, all three of us were accompanied by Jasmine (an Australian friend), walking down the streets of Footscray, trying to find some food for lunch. Footscray is significant because of its fascinating diversity. Every 100 square meter area would have at least 50 nationalities, where people would share a common space. It is true what 'they' say - there is beauty in diversity!
Since we had never tried Arabic food, Jasmine thought it was a good idea to try some Lebanese food for a change. I was in an adventurous mood therefore, I ordered one portion of Kebab but it was a terrible idea because the portion was meant for at least 3 people! I was mind blown by the taste of the food, especially with the texture of the meat and the infused flavors. Thereinafter, I was hooked on Arabic food which made me a huge fan. But the problem was when I returned to Sri Lanka it was difficult to find Arabic food. The restaurants that offered Arabic food were confused with Indian Food. A couple of years later, the universe heard my plea and introduced Arabian Knights in Kollupitiya. Since then, I became one of their loyal customers.
I have to mention that Arabian Knights can be a little expensive (between the range of 2500/- to 3500/- per person). But the authenticity of the food and the ambiance is quite remarkable. From the inception of this website, Arabian Knights were one of the places that I was hoping to cover, and I took advantage when Ranshani came back from Sweden. I invited her for Iftar and dinner afterward.
We managed to have a semi-Arabic feast, I didn’t want to overwhelm our guests simply because it was her first time trying Arabic food. We ordered the usual - Dates and Kanji for Iftar. The Kanji simply evaporated into my mouth in a few seconds. Later, we ordered a Mango smoothie, Watermelon juice, and Lime soda which was consistently good every time we made an order for the past few years. For dinner, we ordered hummus and pita bread simply because Thevuni is a huge fan. Also, it is a simple appetizer. As for the main meal Ranshani and Thevuni ordered Shawarma, and I went for my usual smoked rice and beef. Man oh, man! The consistency is unbelievable. Each time I go to this place, it manages to hook me up with its consistency. The favors were simply exquisite, while the spices used were gentle but ultra-rich at the same time. What can I say? The ambiance, food, and overall experience make Arabian Knights an extra special place to be during the month of Ramadan.(Watch the Video)
Let me know what you think of the place!
Looks delicious ♥️♥️
😇👍🏽👌🏽