Colombo here we come

We board our bus for what we hope is the last time. We are all looking forward to the tour finishing. 

We are now getting a quiz on the history and geography of Sri Lanka. Really. I wonder if we get a stamp on our hand if we get all the answers correct.  Our guide is incredibly knowledgeable and was a teacher. It shows. 

We enjoy a nice peaceful drive passing through Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, a Colombo suburb, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka.

The area of Colombo we drive through is obviously very wealthy as the homes are huge, the streets wide and very genteel. Ministers have massive homes and lots of nice cars. 

Even the central city is clean, western, green and very different to what I expected. Our drive which was supposed to be 2.5 hours has turned into 4 hours (much like the underestimates on other days) but eventually we arrive at the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon where we await our Dutch Burgher meal. This restaurant and the meal we enjoyed is another of Anthony Bourdain’s recommendations. I agree with him. It’s worth a mention. 

Lunch was Lamprais, also spelled "lumprice", "lampraise" or "lumprais", is a Sri Lankan dish that was introduced by the country's Dutch Burgherpopulation. Lamprais is an Anglicised derivative of the Dutch word lomprijst, which loosely translated means a packet or lump of rice, and it is also believed the dish has roots in the Indonesia dish lemper.

Most people didn’t enjoy the Lamprais but I did. I loved the different textures and the variety of flavours all bound together in a banana leaf and steamed. Something tasty and totally different. 

We drive through the city close to the port where we see lots of chinese investment in the shape of fancy buildings and infrastructure. The Colonial influence is very obvious and kinda quirky. 

To kill time before our rooms are ready we go for a walk through the bazaar.  Its a dry heat here but still uncomfortably hot for most of us. We were led through the bazaar in the heat of the day without opportunity to stop and look at anything or to appreciate anything on offer. I will return when it is cooler. Maybe. 

Our hotel is down a wee quaint lane and is another tourist type hotel but very nice. I’m happy there is a coffee shop downstairs and within 10 minutes of arriving I am now having my first espresso in a few days. Mighty good it is too. 

The area close to the hotel is full of western style bars and cafes. I am ready for that now. Wandering around wasn’t pleasant simply because of the heat but I will have another explore later on. There is a Caygills Supermarket close by where I can get a coke or two. I’ll be there later. 

This tour has been different from others in many ways but especially in the fact that there isn’t a farewell dinner included - today’s lunch was supposed to be the farewell. Our goodbyes are usually said at breakfast on the last day but despite tomorrow being included on the itinerary there is no breakfast. 

Had that been clear on the itinerary I would have flown out tonight - as many others have hoped for. 

I am glad that I came. I am glad I have been to Sri Lanka but I can’t say I have seen or experienced this picturesque country. My standout is the smiles of the people. I have not seen one grumpy person. 

My favourite place is hard to pick. We didn’t see much of Ella and it was very touristy but also very quaint. I enjoyed Yala National Park even though the wildlife viewing wasn’t great but the baby elephants, elephant charge and the bit of off roading were great. I think I will like Colombo. 

The countryside has been beautiful. Green and lush. The food mainly bland and obviously not the dinkum thing. 

Despite having spent 10 days here and having been served by so many people I still haven’t engaged with people outside of the tourist industry or really understood how people tick or survive here. 

It’s disappointing but not the end of the world. Our travelling group were great and that is a bonus. 

Ananda suggested we get together for dinner tonight so we can say our goodbyes. Great idea and we go 100ft from the hotel to Steuart’s Hotel for a mainly western menu. A statue of a Scotsman resplendent in his kilt (no I didn’t check out what he was wearing underneath) greeted us as we arrived and the decor was scottish themed. A western band played live in the courtyard. It was nice for a change and my Bangers and Mash was very very welcomed. 

Happily full we wandered off, stopped and listened to another band in another courtyard and headed home.