Journey Insights

The Proposal: Chasing the Sunset in Arugam Bay

The salt air was thick with the scent of adventure and the promise of romance. We’d spent the last week chasing waves and endless summer days in Arugam Bay, a place that felt less like a town and more like a collective sigh of contentment. But tonight, I had something special planned. I wanted a night where the only waves we focused on were the ones gently lapping the shore, a night just for us.

My girlfriend, Maya, is a creature of simple pleasures—she loves the ocean, good music, and delicious food. So, when I told her to put on her favorite light dress and meet me at the beach access road, her eyes lit up with that specific, eager curiosity I adore.

"Where are we going, mister?" she asked, adjusting the straw hat on her head.

"A place where the name says it all, my love," I replied, taking her hand. "Cafe One Love."

I’d walked past the cafe countless times, drawn by its laid-back, bohemian vibe. It sits right on the main beach stretch, but tonight, they had transformed a secluded patch of sand just in front of their patio into a private slice of heaven.

Setting the Scene: Our Table on the Sand

As we stepped onto the soft, cool sand, the setting sun was putting on its final, spectacular performance. The sky exploded in shades of tangerine, rose gold, and deep violet. Our table was waiting, perfectly isolated from the low hum of the cafe crowd. A simple, white tablecloth draped over a small wooden table, illuminated by a single, flickering lantern whose warm glow danced in the evening breeze. A small vase held a single tropical flower, a splash of vibrant color against the white.

It was exactly what I had envisioned: intimate, cozy, and utterly beautiful.

"Oh, wow," Maya whispered, her grip tightening on my arm. She didn't need to say more. The collective beauty of the moment—the gentle roar of the ocean, the fading light, the sand between our toes—spoke volumes.

We settled into our chairs, feeling the last warmth of the day dissipate into a comfortable, cool evening. The rhythmic shush of the waves was our soundtrack, and a thousand tiny stars were just beginning to prick the darkening sky. A waiter, whose smile was as warm as the setting sun, approached our table with the menus.

The Perfect Pairing: Rosé and Romance

We decided to start with a bottle of wine, a prerequisite for any truly romantic dinner. The selection was small but well-curated, and one choice immediately caught my eye—the Namaqua Sweet Rosé.

"This sounds perfect for a beach evening," I suggested, reading the description to Maya. It was described as a South African Rosé with juicy tropical fruit flavours, refreshing, light, and sweet.

Maya nodded enthusiastically. "That's exactly what I'm in the mood for. Something light that complements the salty air, not fights it."

The waiter returned shortly with the chilled bottle. The Rosé poured a delicate pink, glistening in the lantern light. Our first sip was everything the description promised: sweet, yet balanced, with a lively burst of tropical fruit that felt like a tiny celebration of our Sri Lankan adventure. We toasted—to Arugam Bay, to the perfect wave we caught that morning, and to simply being together. The wine was the ideal accompaniment to the stunning view, adding a layer of crisp sweetness to the evening.

The Main Event: A Feast from the Ocean

We both knew what we wanted for the main course before we even looked at the menu. We were in a coastal town, and the sea was calling. There was only one true way to celebrate the night: with the Seafood Platter.

The waiter kindly informed us that the platter takes 45 minutes to prepare—a detail I appreciated. It wasn't fast food; it was a promise of freshness and care, and we were more than happy to linger, enjoying our wine and conversation while the kitchen worked its magic.

We talked about everything and nothing. Our hopes for the future, hilarious memories from the past week, the sheer magic of traveling, and how incredibly lucky we felt in that moment. Forty-five minutes flew by.

When the platter arrived, it was a masterpiece. It was a generous, fragrant bounty that dominated our small table. The presentation was rustic and abundant—a true feast.

The platter was a stunning collection of the ocean’s best:

• Grilled Lobster: A beautiful half-shell, the meat firm and glistening, perfectly charred from the grill and promising that sweet, decadent flavor that only fresh lobster can deliver.
• Garlic Butter Prawns: Plump, pink jewels of the sea, swimming in a glistening pool of melted butter and minced garlic. The aroma alone was intoxicating.
• Morning catch of the day’s baked fish: A whole, beautiful fish, flaky and tender, clearly having been pulled from the very ocean before us only hours ago. It looked simply seasoned to let the natural flavor shine through.
• Baby Squid with Garlic Mayo and Lemon Butter Sauce: Tender, succulent pieces of squid served with two delicious dips.

We needed no cutlery beyond our forks and our hands. We dove in, sharing every piece, savoring the richness of the moment and the food.

The Grilled Lobster was the star, its meat pulling away easily from the shell, tender and smoky. The Garlic Butter Prawns were addictive; we kept swirling them in the leftover butter, soaking up every garlicky drop. The baked fish was moist and delicate, a perfect counterpoint to the richer lobster. The baby squid with the lemon butter sauce offered a bright, zesty contrast to the savory elements of the plate.

Laughter and Candlelight: The Heart of the Evening

As we ate, a gentle, acoustic melody drifted from the cafe's stereo, low and unobtrusive, but adding to the atmosphere. It was a mix of classic reggae and soulful Sri Lankan tunes. It felt perfectly aligned with the "One Love" theme of the evening.

We shared a piece of the succulent lobster, feeding each other bits of the perfectly baked fish, our hands meeting over the platter.

“This is the best dinner of our trip,” Maya declared, leaning back with a contented sigh, her eyes shining in the candlelight.

"It's the best company that makes it the best dinner," I countered, and she laughed, a bright, clear sound that was swallowed only by the gentle tide.

The time had slipped away from us. The moon was now high, casting a silvery sheen on the water, and the stars were impossibly bright—unpolluted diamonds scattered across black velvet.

Dessert and Promises: A Night to Remember

As we finished the last of the wine and the final piece of the baked fish, we sat for a while, just listening to the ocean. We didn't need dessert; the meal had been rich and satisfying, the wine sweet and filling. But more than that, the atmosphere was the real indulgence.

We were blissfully full, our conversation slowing to a comfortable, sleepy pace. The waiter cleared the platter with a knowing nod, recognizing the look of utter contentment on our faces.

As we stood up to leave, I took Maya’s hand and pulled her closer, the sand cool beneath our feet. I wrapped my arms around her, swaying gently to the natural rhythm of the sea.

“Thank you,” she murmured into my chest. “This was perfect. Truly perfect.”

That evening at Cafe One Love wasn't just a dinner; it was an experience. It was the epitome of Arugam Bay romance: simple, honest, and unforgettable. It proved that sometimes, all you need for a perfect night is the right person, a stellar seafood platter, a refreshing bottle of Rosé, and a private table where the sand meets the sea. It was a night of One Love indeed.

We left the quiet glow of our lantern behind, walking hand-in-hand along the water’s edge, the taste of garlic butter and sweet rosé still on our lips, the memories of a truly romantic evening imprinted on our hearts.