I didn’t feel the freshest waking up this morning after a fair few too many lion beers yesterday and a a sneaky tequila shot got in there that the two lads bought.
We strolled for breakfast only to find kids of black monkeys staring at us in the trees opposite and the guy that owns the guesthouse trying to feed them with bread by whistling for them to come over - no thanks mate! They’re fine where they are!!
We went back to bed after breakfast. We didn’t need to leave until 1.45pm for the train to Colombo, I think they secretly wanted us out even though they didn’t have anyone else coming to the rooms and they didn’t ask us to leave. They just do that “hmmm, mmmm, yes, 1.45” and just look at you from the corner of their eyes, you can clearly see that they’re really thinking ‘for f**k sake get out the room so I can clean it and not have to make small talk with you guys any longer, but smile because I want them to give me a good review on booking’

It pissed it down all day, we had to get to the station so the guy took us in the car which was a life savour because we were tight on cash not wanting to change anymore before leaving this evening. The train station was rather empty which was nice! We bought a coke, water and a packet of cream crackers from the canteen which had a sachet of butter attached to it - banging!
The crows here are much like dubai crows, they have no understanding of personal space or are not in any way shape or form scared to get up close and personal in trying to get your food from you, in this scenario cream crackers were the goal from Ellie’s hand. Ellie through this time was screeching like a guinea pig whilst I attempted to beat the crow with my walking boot only it did not fly but just bounced around in front me practically laughing in bird language ‘hahaha, I’m not afraid of you human’
He then called for back up, we were now out numbered by three very inquisitive crows eyeing up the cream crackers. This was our queue to leave, put those damn backpacks back on and take a walk further down the platform. Ellie still shook up and complaining about not having her last egg samosa of Sri Lanka still. (Of course still clinging to her cream crackers for dear life).

The train arrived 45 minutes late, now usually this would be absolutely fine because we’re in no rush to go anywhere only today we are...
Yes we are flying at midnight so we had plenty of time to get to the airport, however the public buses that are the cheapest only run until 6.30pm from Colombo, if the train (like it does 9/10 times) run on time today we would have had around an hour to stroll to find the bus and get Ellie an egg samosa. Only working it out on the clock, we were now going to be arriving in Colombo at around 6/6.15pm. Not ideal at all! (Ellie giving me that holy s*** I’m panicking look and uneasy smile every time I looked at her, I just kept feeding her crackers)

The train was a lot tattier than usual but at least we got to sit down! By the window and toilet again - the place on the train we seemed to be attracted to. Two older ladies sat opposite us (our knees touching) and a tiny window to look out at, it wasn’t too pleasant nor’ unpleasant at the same time.

Indeed we did get to Colombo at around 6.15pm, sun already set and now time to run (attempt to run) with backpacks on front and back of us through Colombo to the bus station only I read that the bus station for the 187 bus isn’t in the same place as the other buses. We soon realised that the buses weren’t supposed to be anywhere they were dotted all over the place. We asked about 5 different people they kept grunting at us and going yes airport that way (all pointing in the same direction) none of them very clear as to where exactly the bus was or which side of the road.
In amongst this Colombo had a power cut so we were running in pitch black banging into everyone - that was fun!
Finally after asking a police office and seeing a load of buses parked in the corner of a parking lot I hear Ellie shouting ‘187!’
Thank god for that, only they weren’t the big public buses they were the small a/c coaches that have two seats one side, one the other and fold down chair attached to make it a full row.
They charged us almost double for the ride ‘because of the bags’ they went in the empty boot so another Sri Lankan scam, but the sweat was pissing out of us and we just wanted to get on so we weren’t arguing over 70p tonight.

I’d seen it all before trying to get as many of us in a little coach as possible even if that meant people sitting on the step into the coach or sitting around the gear stick practically on top of the driver.
Well that’s where our seats were, right behind the driver on pull out chairs that were laid back so far we were practically lying down on peoples laps haha.
Small bags on our laps, knees around our necks but we were on the last bus so it didn’t matter haha. Not long until the airport, only three of us going to the airport though which is why we thought they were throwing us out on the side of the road and making us walk the rest of the way.
Soon to realise that buses aren’t allowed into the departure area of the airport because of the incidents in April so we had to walk the last 800m into the airport grounds - bloody great!
Army men with their rifles binding in the trees I’m sure not on purpose but it was bloody scary, checked passports before we got to the door, all cars went through scanners to check underneath their cars and they getting ID’d.

Then before we even got through to the checkin desk our bags and passports got checked a further 3 times. It’s a good job we were early, that took ages.
A very expensive vegetable paratha to share before check in and a complimentary free coffee from the airline (Ellie needed her food fix) and we waited to board the plane. A lot of staring into space feeling tired and not looking forward to a sleepless night flight.

What a pleasure to been Sri Lanka! You are most certainly up there with one of my most favourite destinations!

Chow for Now...