Day 1 - Colombo

After an endless flight and then a long delay getting through Immigration we were very relieved to find our driver, Pradeep, waiting patiently and with a warm smile. It was 1am local time and we were dead on our feet. After a 45 minute trip to the hotel, we settled in to catch up on some much needed sleep. The rooms are huge and comfortable if a bit dated. Lovely people here and fabulous breakfast of local fruit, curries and fortunately for the kids, included bacon, eggs, pancakes and cereal!

After perhaps less sleep than hoped for (people are obsessed with using their car horns) we went for a walk to the ocean and then back along 'Galle' road. Crossing roads takes determination and a certain level of bravery, even at the zebra crossing, but we are getting the hang of it.

We were collected by Pradeep in his lovely clean airconditioned minibus and spent the afternoon touring the sights of Columbo. We were lucky enough to be given entry to a Hindu temple (for a small donation to a priest with a belly more suited to Bhuddism!).

 

 

Amazing place with many mini temples brightly painted gods. Pradeep explained how the gods had many arms and legs to show their many different skills each of which you might pray to give there skills. Which helped explain the somewhat LSD defined images of theirvdeities!!!

 

 

 


We also went to a huge Bhuddist temple where Pradeep explained the meaning behind the sacred tree and other areas of the temple. Most exciting was watching a young elephant which lives at the temple have a bath.

We mostly drove around and jumped out a couple of times, including at the Galle Face Green on the beach front where the Brits used to hold horse races. The sun was shinning between a few heavy showers and we were glad of the cool, dry bus!

 

Now over to the kids for their top 5.....

Dan

• The elephant because he was really funny and I saw him poo in the water.
• Our hotel room because sarah and I got our own and it was really big, we get a TV and a fridge
• Buddha temple because ther were massive Buddhas
• The fat guy resting his belly on the shelf while talking on the phone (there's a picture above)
• Hindu temple because it had lots of gods with lots of arms and heads on the roof of the temple

Sarah

• The hotel rooms because they are completely separate and air conditioned.
• The baby elephant because they were trying to train him and he was not doing as he was told.
• The fat priest because he was hilarious resting his tummy on the shelf while talking on the phone.
• the buddhist temple home of the gold buddha because it was very interesting.
• something different is the number of stray cats and dogs lying on the roads not getting run over.

Rich

• One best thing. Pradeep! Our driver and guide.
• The biggest impression on me has been the road and the driving here. By Australian comparisons just insane! There is a vast amount of traffic - nearly all little vehicles - little tuk-tuks, little cars, little trucks buses. There seems to be though barely any road rules, drive on the left and traffic lights being the only visible order. Want to cross the traffic to turn right just pull out! Want to join into the main stream just pull out! Want to overtake just pull out or in! just toot your horn as you do anything and it is ok. Pedestrian wanting to cross the road just step out! Somehow amid all this mayhem there is never an accident!. It is like watching time lapse photography of city traffic over 24 hours in one minute! Insane but somehow it works and I quite like it! Thankfully though I'm not driving, Pradeep, he's our man!
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