Cricket, kites and curries

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It hasn't taken long to slip back into tropical mode. Our three days in Negombo, a popular seaside town 30km north of Colombo, has provided our introduction to Sri Lanka. Our accommodation has great ambience - a 200 year old Dutch-style colonial villa set right on the beach front in a tropical garden with lots of interesting corners. The Swiss owner, Jerry, has a local reputation as a foodie and we have enjoyed some great meals.

The locals are overwhelmingly friendly, particularly when they realise we are Australian.

Cricket is the passion here and there are two regular matches of primary age children and teenagers on the beach right outside our guesthouse, every morning and afternoon.

We spent Friday in Colombo, joining with the Aussie cricket tragics at the opening day of the 3rd Test. A shaky start for Australia but then a good recovery.

Negombo is an interesting and historic town. We spent a few hours cycling visiting the local sights. A somewhat hairy experience, negotiating potholes, tuk-tuks and the locals going about on their business.

The area is almost 100% Roman Catholic and in Sri Lanka is known as "little Rome", so plenty of churches and convents.

There is plenty of seafood from the tropical waters and a great sight each afternoon are the hundreds of square-sailed outriggers on the horizon making their way back to shore with their catches.

Right up the coast north from Colombo the flat landscape is covered with a series of lakes which were joined in Dutch times by an intricate network of canals. These are still an important means of transporting goods and we crossed over many as we cycled.

The beach next to our guesthouse is the setting for the Sri Lanka National Kite Festival this weekend. As this is the season leading to the monsoon the stiff sea breezes make sure that the hundreds of kites looked spectacular. Rick needed something like this to cheer himself up after watching Australia go down to Ireland in the RWC!

So this has been a laid back enjoyable few days before we head off on our 12 day tour of the island tomorrow.

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Photos

Not your normal hotel
The guest house is a little different from the usual beach side hotel - the owner's motto is "expect the unexpected"!

Welcome!
The personal touch.

Morning catch.
The local seafood couldn't have been fresher.

Still in use after centuries
The Negombo canals still get plenty of use and are fun to cycle along.

Little Rome
One of the many local churches. Check out the Roman centurions.

Roadside repairs
The tuk-tuks are the main form of local transport and it's not too hard to find somebody to repair a flat tyre.

Mad dogs and Englishmen....
Even though it was hot we still enjoyed heading off for a bike ride to check out the local sights.

A corner in the garden
Must be coconut season, the trees are full.

Aussies vs Sri Lanka
We had to come all the way to Sri Lanka to experience a Test match!

Lunch Break
Ricky and Brad heading off for a break.

Aussie humour!
The locals thought he was very funny.

Just outside our gate
Not far to our morning walk along the beach.

Great day for kite flying!
Pre-monsoon trade winds are blowing all day at this time of year.

The dining room
Great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

We lost!
Rick drowning his sorrows after an Irish win.

Our first Sri Lankan elephant
The local kids enjoyed a sand sculpturing competition.

Flying high!
Plenty of kite enthusiasts making the most of monsoon trade winds.

Comments

[Lyn]

It worked!!
Jan - you nailed it this time round. The email arrived and the link went straight through to your blog. Lyn

[Brian and Jill]

Congratulations and thanks for sending us the news of your travels. Wish we were there. Someone has to do it!!! Happy travels Brian and Jill

[Mick]

Looks good, we will have to get the info when you return. Maybe thinking of a trip there ourselves?

["M"]

Tour Tragics
Hi there Jan and Rick, great going on the commentary and the photos please keep them going. All's well here - just one more day before baby Number 2 arrives or as Shell says one more sleep as she is being induced so as maybe not to produce a 10lb2oz again. Talk to you again soon Loads of love M x x

[Pete & Keith]

Very pleased to be home after Pete\'s little adventure in Auckland! Upshot was she did not suffer a heart attack or stroke but doctors dont know what caused the episode at the airport. She is scheduled to see her cardiologist for a checkup next week so doubtless she will undergo further scrutiny. Meanwhile must rest (huh!). Washing is all done of course. The place you are staying looks relaxed - our kind of place. KDM not happy about RWC also - he never though the team looked right - Mortlock and Sharp should have been there from the beginning to add experience and strength. Cheers P & K

[Tim R]

Woodies
Hi Rick and Jan, Fabulous photos and I can taste the curry. Woodies v Uni Woodies led 13-9 then down 16-13 and 16 all at fulltime. In 10 min e/w extra time Woodies won 19-16 a great game with an even better result. Rianing in Sydney so your garden(!) will get a good drink. Enjoy. Tim & Gill