23rd March
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
Another very busy working dock greeted me when I opened the curtains this morning. Plus, dark rain clouds and no sun at all.
As we had been to Colombo before and seen the city we decided to go and spend the day relaxing on the beach. Our tour left at 9am and we travelled up the coast to the hotel area called Negumbo. After a brief shower before we disembarked the sun had come through by the time we left the city and the temperatures were rising. The traffic as usual was manic with tuc-tuc drivers whizzing and weaving in and out the buses, cars and lorries causing absolute chaos. Horns were beeping continuously and it was every man for themselves! As we drove further from the city it calmed down a lot and we headed up the coast past fields and huge reservoirs. After 1 hour 20 minutes we arrived at our hotel which backed a long golden sand beach. Settled on a sun lounger under palm trees facing the sea we were served with cold refreshing drinks and cold face towels. Large wooden traditional boats were dotted along the beach and a large wooden shack to one side where the fishermen kept their nets. We took a walk along the very wide beach and the sea was like a hot bath! After a cooling dip in the pool a fantastic buffet lunch was laid on in the restaurant for us after which we had another couple of hours to relax before our journey back.
Extremely hot again today so glad we went to the beach ! Most of the people here live in very poor conditions but most smile and wave to you. Food is sold on the floor by the side of the roads or rickety market stalls and children run around with bare feet. It certainly makes you realise how lucky we are.

24th & 25th March
AT SEA-INDIAN OCEAN