CASCAIS
SRI LANKA
DREAM
TEAM
Dee - Yoga Teacher
Her story of dedication and love for yoga for the past 25 years and how she came to this field is truly inspiring. Dee was a regular attendee of yoga from the age of 19, but when she was diagnosed with a stomach condition it was her yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises that helped her to start recovering. Yoga not only helped her recover but she fell in love with it and it became her daily routine. She then went on to train as a yoga teacher as she wanted to serve and help others through this beautiful healing practice.. through her many trainings Dee found that as well as the practice she loved the Philosophy of yoga and the great texts of yoga and loves to share this with her students. Patanjalis Yoga Sutras became the foundation of daily routine and the baghavad Gita a guide to life that teaches us so much.. if you really want to dive into the fascinating philosophy of yoga in an inquisitive and intriguing fun way, Dee will guide you through these amazing learnings.
 Dee’s qualifications all through Yoga Alliance and World Yoga Alliance are: 200 Hr Hatha and Restorative Yoga, 300 Hr Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, trauma led yoga, Pre and Post natal yoga, 100 Hr Yin, 250 Hr Aerial Yoga, 80 Hr Aerial Yin/Restorative, 200 Hr Aerial Pilates and Diploma in Ayurvedic Principles.
“ Learning how to breathe properly is really important. It will calm you down when you're stressed, relax your body, and tighten your focus. These are all things you want to be doing when you're surfing. Breathing is the first thing we do in this life… When done properly, breathing can really contribute positively to your overall health ”
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Her practice is beautifully breath focused, pulling the awareness into the body and empowering the mind to use its capabilities for the good of the whole being. She loves to use meditations that are complex in their simplicity and deliver them with love and grace. She really values healthy alignment of the body, the mind as well as a heartfelt and kind inner attitude.
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“ Dee loves to hold nurturing and compassionate spaces where students can come home to themselves and realise the wisdom, strength and beauty that lives within them all. ”
Udani - General Manager
Role at The Salty Pelican... Hello, I'm Udani, the Local Manager for Salty Pelican Sri Lanka. My primary responsibilities involve fostering strong connections between our local and international staff, ensuring seamless operations for our local team, and overseeing various local initiatives.
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“ Working at Salty Pelican has been an enriching experience for me. I have the privilege of interacting with people from all corners of the globe, which is undoubtedly the highlight of my role ”
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My typical day revolves around managing hotel operations while also balancing my undergraduate studies. Additionally, as an avid surfer at an intermediate level, I strive to carve out time for pursuing my passion for surfing whenever possible.
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Secret super powers... My secret superpower lies in being uniquely me, for there's no one else quite like me in the world. I firmly believe that embracing my authentic self is the key to unlocking my greatest potential. As long as I stay true to who I am, I know I'm becoming the best version of myself.​
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Favourite place in the world ... My favorite place in the world is wherever I find peace of mind.
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Craziest experience... One of the most exhilarating and unforgettable experiences I've ever had is diving in the sea.
Pao - General Manager
Role at The Salty Pelican... As the General Manager of Salty Pelican Sri Lanka, my primary goal is to ensure that everything in the retreat runs smoothly and effortlessly. From ensuring guest satisfaction and providing them with the best possible experience to fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere where they feel at home, every aspect of my role revolves around creating unforgettable memories for our guests. In addition to this, I place a strong emphasis on nurturing a harmonious environment among our staff members, fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging akin to a big family.
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“ What I love most about my job is the opportunity it affords me to meet incredible individuals from all walks of life. Moreover, being situated in the heart of the tropics allows me to indulge in activities such as yoga, surfing and immersing myself in nature, which contribute to a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. Living and working in such a vibrant and dynamic environment is truly a privilege that I cherish every day ”
Secret super powers... My superpower lies in resiliently adapting to diverse environments and cultures, fueled by deep empathy for both people and animals, while my unwavering discipline empowers me to continuously learn and grow in the face of every challenge.​
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Favourite place in the world ... The sea
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Craziest experience... Embarking on a spontaneous journey to Sri Lanka, initially as a holidaymaker before working at The Salty Pelican for just a month, I unexpectedly discovered my true home. Now, a year later, I'm still captivated by the magic of this place.
Jazmin - Reception Manager
Role at The Salty Pelican... As the Reception Manager of Salty Pelican Sri Lanka, I specialise in ensuring every guest has an exceptional holiday experience, focusing on activities like surfing and relaxing massages.
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“ I thrive on my routine: kicking off with a sunrise surf at Hiri Beach, followed by a yoga session at The Salty and then diving into the day taking care of our guests needs ”
Secret super powers... Maintaining a calm and composed demeanor when faced with adversity or unexpected challenges, ensuring a steady and collected approach to managing difficult situations and accidents.​
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Favourite place in the world ... Ocean and any place surrounded by nature.
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Craziest experience... One of my most exhilarating experiences was in the Amazon rainforest with friends, where we connected with a native guide who immersed us in his community's culture. We learned traditional fishing methods, cooking techniques, and even savored the most delicious fish served with a spicy sauce made from ants.
Waka - Surf Instructor
Role at The Salty Pelican... Surf instructor in paradise.. Im the one making all our students fall in love with the ocean while experiencing the feeling of catching that wave ! We always find the perfect waves for every level and my everyday goal is to see that every single person has fun, is safe and learns how to ride these beautiful warm water waves.
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“ I started surfing when I was a small child and it didn't take me long to decide i would make my passion my job and starting to surf as much as possible while discovering the beautiful coastline of Sri Lanka. There I met my Salty Pelican family.... Seeing happy faces in the water everyday..... What more do you want right? ”
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Secret super powers... Putting smiles on everyones faces while creating a fun vibe when we are all out on the water together. If you hear loud whistles and cheering.... it will be me !
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Favourite place in the world ... The Salty Pelican
Isuru - Bar & Restaurant
Role at The Salty Pelican... I’m Wilma, Photographer, Social Media Manager and (un)professional reel-maker.
Background Experience... After high school I’ve basically been out and about traveling and seeing what the world has to offer. From surfing in Australia and diving in Mexico to living in a shed in Indonesia and bungee jumping from a bridge in South Africa. I’d say I’ve always had the travel bug, longing for new places and experiences. After doing the 9-5 and studying in Stockholm for a while I had enough and that’s what led me to the Salty Pelican: my portuguese home and family!
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“ When I’m not behind the lens or scrolling on instagram for the best reel song I’ll be dancing in the kitchen to a swedish banger no one knows the lyrics to. I’m a creative at heart who will only be seen doing yoga poses to get the best angle for a photo ;) ”
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Secret super powers... Hear me out - I can cook the weirdest food out of what I have left in the fridge and it always turns out good in some non-gourmet kind of way ?! I guess most people who’s backpacked knows exactly what I’m talking about. Other than that I can make any boring photo look kinda artsy-cool-instagram friendly if you let me hehe...
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Favourite place in the world ... Leave me anywhere close to the ocean and I’ll be happy.
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Craziest experience... My whole life is kind of a crazy experience. Never really having a plan can be nerve wracking but also a valuable lesson !