Sri Lanka Edition Colombo, Galle & Sinharaja March 2019
Hello again
In this edition Brenda finds some underpants and I eat a roti.
Really quite liked Colombo and the olde worlde Galle Face Hotel. Colombo isn’t favourably regarded in many tourist reviews for sites of interest and things to do. I say check it out.
Interesting recent history concerning the struggle with the Tamils and how it came to a rather violent end in 2009 with the aid of the Indian military (who had alledgeldy supported the Tamils for a long time). The terrorist bomb attack on the central bank in 1996, which crippled the country’s economy for more than a decade says a lot about the methods of the Tamils. It also doesn’t reflect well on risk/disaster management by the government of the time.
What is it about rather ordinary filter coffee on holidays that makes it taste ok? Damien would think it pointless.
Seem to be forming a habit for dining in restaurants owned by retired test cricketers. The latest was Ministry of Crab owned by Jayawardene and Sangakkara. They serve a “lagoon” crab, which I think is a mud crab as we know it. Sizes from small to crabzilla. Delicious. “Keep Calm and Crab On.”
Love bathroom products with big print because I’m usually not wearing my glasses.
Don’t love bathroom products that are too heavy, slippery and ungainly in shape, whereby you pour the entire contents onto your feet upon opening.
The hotel had a great “gingman” for the ravens, dressed in the typical sub-contintent military attire of a British army officer.
Room number 2021.
The fort precinct in Galle is such a pretty place, filled with old dutch architecture. We had an Air B&B house that was simply stunning, complete with a sort of butler (Madu) that cooked breakfast and cleaned daily.
Directly across the small street is a Buddhist temple. Good Karma, not bad Warren (Michael P will get it).
Brenda was doing her best Tom Jones impersonation in the garden and in flew a pair of underpants owned by a Frenchman from next door. I was having a snooze.
What is the YMBA you say? Young Men’s Buddhist Association “where you can get a good meal”. Not sure how to do the “B”.
Many of the Tuk Tuks have slogans, which seem to mostly derive from song lyrics, cliches, old jungle sayings and the like. I’ll put as many as I can photograph in a separate post later on. My favourite so far “Think Before Jumping” - well usually. I’ve concluded Tuk Tuk drivers are life coaches for tourists and the slogans represent their personal brand.
Lion lager is the local beer. They also make a strong stout, to which I’m quite partial.
Heard Lara’s Theme playing from inside the house and immediately thought, Mr Whippy the ice cream van. Alas no, it was the garbage collection. Heard it again a couple of hours later. This time it was the mobile bread vendor. Neither of them has a playlist.
There is a restaurant called “Calorie Counter”, which seems at odds with its purpose?
We’ve determined the rotis are a bit tough, which has to do with the kneading process I’m informed.
Sudharmalaya street, no room or street number.
From Galle we had a driver to Sinharaja for a next day trek through the renowned rain forrest reserve. I’m not quite sure about the purpose of the centre line on the roads, given there’s an invisible centre lane that most cars, trucks and motorbikes seem to use. Maybe you’re supposed to follow it?
Saw the banana panorama in Unawantuna.
In Sinharaja after getting a bit lost (no I wasn’t driving or using the GPS) we stayed at Sinharaja Rest owned by a local guy, Pali, that has been guiding through the forest since 1994. A real character and very knowledgable.
Saw blue faced monkeys. Must have been holding their breath.
I’m struggling to recommend the driver thing in Sri Lanka. Ours was very late, didn’t know where to go and generally not very good. Also the cars are supposed to be of a standard, however ours had a flat because one of the tyres was so out of alignment it had worn through to the steel belts. Unfortunately I don’t think driving yourself is an option.
Room number 2.
