Day 109 Thursday May 2, 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)

Arrival: 07:00 All Aboard: 16:30 Departure: 17:00

We arrived early to Colombo to see modern buildings on the landscape. The country has two capitals with Sri Jayawardenpura the legislative capital and Colombo the executive and judicial capital.

We are in Colombo with its 735K population in a country of 22.3 million. In 1948 after nearly 150 years of British rule, Sri Lanka became an independent nation. Seven years later it was admitted to the United Nations.

The country is divided into nine provinces and subdivided into 25 districts.

As we make our way to the port entrance taxi drivers are anxiously awaiting potential clients to take them on a tour. We were however on a private tour today.

I had received directions to the Kingsbury Hotel where our viator guide was to meet us. As we make our way towards the Kingsbury, one well-dressed individual catches up to us and offers to help. He said he was a crew member from our ship. I did not recognize him as he said he got on the ship recently. If a crew member gets on board within in a few days that person is not be granted shore leave this quickly. This did not cross our mind, my mistake.

Well, we started walking and he explained he was meeting his family who had taken the train to meet him for the day. He was so convincing that Janice gave him $10USD to buy gifts for his daughters. Another mistake.

I thought the Kingsbury was one km away, but he said no, and we should take a Tuk Tuk. One more mistake. We drove the long way around to get to the hotel and the driver said he would not take USD. We found an ATM machine and the supposed crew member wanted me to take out more money than my debit card would allow. So, Janice went in with her card and figured out the exchange to take $50 out in local currency.

The Tuk Tuk driver then drove us to the hotel, and we paid him $20USD dollars for a roughly $3 USD ride.

It gets better as when we arrive there is no Viator guide. The imposter is dialing the phone number that Janice provided him. The person on the other end says he could not make it but would return our money. What this gentleman wanted was for us to use a guide he had and pay an outrageously high amount. At this point we wanted to just go back to the ship.

As we start walking back, we see a couple from the ship who are on the same viator as us with our guide. When I try to wave to the person, we now know he is an imposter as he just disappears. Yes, we were scammed but it was just $30 USD. Lesson learned.

Our guide mentioned this happens quite frequently. Colombo is a very busy city with many cars and Tuk Tuks on the road.

Our tour included a Buddhist temple, the old city hall, local market and then lunch before returning to the ship.

At the local market we see people moving products on carts by themselves. It is all manual.

At the restaurant all locals can be seen eating their meals with their fingers which is a local custom and looked very messy.

Our guide finds a place for Janice to get a pedicure, but no appointments were available until late in the day which does not work. At a nearby mall Janice was able to get her pedicure.

Oh, by the way our return Tuk Tuk ride was $3 USD and we did pass the Kingbury Hotel.

Back on board it is off to Cochin, India 323 nautical miles away.