Before our departure from Owinka we were each presented with a photo montage of our time there. It was such an unexpected gift but shows the typical kindness we have come to see is second nature to the Sri Lankan people.

We head towards Colombo, our final destination on this tour.

Colombo is the current commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The city's history dates back to the 5th century during the East-West trade. This city is a fascinating place to visit. It is buzzing with traffic every form of transport imaginable!), many government and private offices, five star hotels and many heritage buildings from the colonial dates. Shopping is plentiful filled with street bazaars (where you can put your haggling skills to the test).

Colombo has a population above 700000 and the city area spreads across 37sq km. Colombo is subdivided into 15 areas such as Colombo 1, Colombo 2,…. where Colombo 7 is probably the most expensive residentially The temperature in Colombo usually ranges between 27-30 degrees and gets a little cooler in the night time.

Just off the north end of Galle Road is the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings. To the south is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk. Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar where you can enjoy a colourful retail experience.

Well the above was what we read about Colombo but we actually didn’t get to see very much. We did get to visit the Galle Face Green- a public park where the British used to race horses and provides both locals and tourists with a break from the concrete jungle- and the Independence Memorial Hall - built to celebrate independence from British rule in 1948. Drove quickly past many old colonial buildings……driven past the National Museum!!!!......and taken to a bloody souvenir shop. The guide offered to take us to a few other shops but none of us were interested in western style shopping and she failed to understand that we were more interested in things that were unique to Sri Lanka. Would have loved to visit Pettah Bazaar and some of the Polas (local markets that provide an insight into the everyday lives of the locals).Ended up being taken to our departure hotel by mid afternoon which was not close to any places of interest and left to our own devices until dinner time.

Several of us have commented that in the last few days the tour staff have been spending far too much time talking with each other and not pointing out (or stopping at) places of interest to us until we are beside them (or sometimes passed them!!) in the bus. A disappointing end to what started out as a wonderful tour.