13. Colombo, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

A smooth flight

The smoothest of flights on Sri Lankan Airways and 55 mins after take off from Kochi we descend into Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. 

The leaflet in the seat pocket told us to  'expect endless beaches,  lush forests, romantic landscapes, timeless ruins,  gushing waterfalls, vivid culture, exotic wildlife and mountains carpeted with lush green tea'  Wow!!

Ceylon became a British Crown colony in 1802 and gained Independence in 1948, when they changed the name to Sri Lanka. The island's two official languages are Sinhalese and Tamil.

The Capital City, Colombo, is the country's financial and commercial hub, exporting Tea, Ceramics, Porcelain, Leather goods, Jewellery, Rubber, Oils, Spices and Clothing - including much of  the Marks &Spencer range.

Size matters...........or does it?

Ireland : 33,000 sq.mi

South Carolina : 31,000 sq.mi

The Island covers about 25,000 square miles.
 

This means that it would rattle around inside Ireland ...

... or fit snugly within the borders of  South Carolina.  

(Sri Lanka overlaid in pink)

                                                                        

On Line Booking 

Accommodation booked on line can be risky: the reviews list wonderful facilities but reality falls short of the mark but we found a gem of an apartment hotel for our first week in Colombo. 

A huge apartment for two:  Three bedrooms en suite, five balconies, laundry room,  lounge and kitchen - All for under $100 per night, including breakfast in the restaurant.  

Fully-equipped kitchen.

-           =                                                                                                                                                            
Breakfast in the rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view across the city

   

We're taking a railway trip into Town for dinner tonight. The track runs along the beach and takes fifteen minutes to the city terminal.  

Wellawatte Station - strangely deserted, just us and one other person.


                       

The Tuk Tuk, (a cross between a Reliant Robin and a Lawnmower) is wonderful for short trips.

During our week in Colombo, these little machines got us about fast.  They have little regard for anything else on the road, darting their way between cars and buses, swerving just-in-time to avoid a collision and always with a heavy hand on the horn:  we just to hang on tight and enjoy the ride!