Yesterday (Sunday) we got a tuk tuk from outside the hotel to take us to the fish market that we had seen on the way in a couple of days ago. There are probably about a dozen stalls with a good variety of fish landed that morning. We can see the lights from the fishing boats off the coast each evening.

On the way there, our driver offered to take us to the spice market, take us shopping, introduce us to his brother who had a nice car to take us to Colombo etc etc. All were politely declined! However, he waited for us at the fish market so that he could increase the fare by taking us to the fort.

Galle fort is a large enclosed area of streets surrounded by ramparts. It was established by the Portuguese in the 1580s. They later found that they preferred Colombo and although they retained Galle, the Dutch attacked supported by the Sinhalese and took it over and added many more fortifications and buildings. The British defeated the Dutch at Colombo in 1796 and took over the port a week later. It seems, however, that everyone found Colombo was better! It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

We wandered round the streets, had a ginger beer in a cafe garden and then walked around the ramparts with stunning views across the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. You can also look down on the Galle cricket ground where test matches are played although I am reliable informed that this area is closed when test matches are played,

With the temperatures well up in the 30s we decided by a democratic and unanimous vote that it was beer o’clock and caught a tuk tuk back to the hotel. Every driver wants to take you somewhere else but Lin is adept at deflecting such requests! Rest of the day spent by the pool!

Today is our last day here and we have had another lazy day soaking up some rays. Tomorrow, we make our way back to Colombo for our last night in SL.

ADO/LMA. Xx