We Just Wanted Dinner… and Ended Up Inaugurating a Hotel

We were just looking for a place to eat — nothing fancy, no expectations. When we spotted a hotel, we decided to stop and ask if we could have dinner there.

The owner, delighted by our impromptu visit, greeted us with a big smile and explained that the hotel wasn’t officially open yet — the grand opening was actually happening that evening, with a Hindu religious ceremony to bring good luck.

A bit embarrassed, we said we’d leave, but she kindly invited us to take a look around and offered us tea along with some local sweets.

And then, without really understanding how, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by the entire gathering. All eyes turned to Ben, and he was asked a question as surprising as it was unexpected: would he like to inaugurate the hotel?

And just like that, Ben pulled the cloth off the hotel sign, to a round of applause and fireworks.

It turned out to be one of the most unexpected and unforgettable moments of our trip. What started as a simple search for dinner became a heartwarming celebration we’ll never forget.

The generosity and warmth we were shown that night was a perfect reflection of the incredible hospitality of the Sri Lankan people — welcoming us like old friends, sharing their culture, and turning total strangers into guests of honor.

We visited the hotel and the rooms were stunning.

The owner greeted and thanked Ben.

We were given a platter of homemade sweets.

A beautiful and unexpected moment — inaugurating a hotel in Sri Lanka!

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