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Did not sleep. We were both awake from 1.30am. Our car was picking us up at 5. We got up just after 4 and our alarm call came, as promised at 4.30a.m - but the coffee and pastries we'd asked for didn't. They finally arrived at 10 to 5 and we quickly ate before heading down to reception to pay our bill and check out. I was surprised to see that we'd been charged 600 rupees for a small plate of cashews that they sell for 250- in the mini-bar! Anyway.....
According to Seelan, on Sundays, it takes "two an an 'alf how-ers" to reach the airport. As we left, it was still dark and as daylight broke, we saw people starting their day. Women all in Sunday whites. Is it really a week since we drove down from the hills? We saw a lot of sheet lightening over the sea and it started to rain but note heavily. In no time, we were in Colombo. We'd asked our driver (at Seelan's suggestion) to take us to Galle Face Green to see the hotel and government buildings. Going in to Colombo you get more of a sense of the troubles in Sri Lanka as there are lots of road blocks and we were pulled over several times. Only our driver had to show his ID. Seelan said the Old Government Building was worth a look as it was done in Italianate style (he'd been there when he came second in the President's Award for best tour guide in Sri Lanka).
It was interesting to drive through Colombo but I'd not want to stay there. We arrived at 6.30am and it was buzzing with church goers (we passed a bit Catholic church) and markets opening up and just general milling around. Even outside the bookies a couple of old boys were checking results and studying form! Apparently they bet on British horseracing.
Piles of rubbish were everywhere on the streets - with crows and dogs scavenging through them. Grown ups were playing cricket in a side street. Now we are back in a world with McDonalds and Pizza Hut, but even so, we saw a bullock pulling a kerosene drum along on a wagon!
And so to the airport - I'm glad we were so early (exactly two an an alf how-ers) as there is quite a queue going in with security checks on cars. A porter pounced on us and we didn't resist. Not that we needed one. Roy managed to leave his hat and wallet in security but luckily remembered before we went through to the departure gate. We had a smooth check in and plenty of time to wander around the disappointingly over priced shops. I was shocked to see that Dilmah tea was 2.5 times the price we paid for it at Tea Trails. I mentioned it to the shop assistant. Yes, she said, it was a "little" more expensive inside the airport. She wasn't kidding! We looked at about 56 elephants and bought none. I got a book on Buddhism (which I'd started reading at the hotel but couldn't bring with me) and some tea for my sister. I wanted to buy Arrack for my brother in law but we won't be able to get it through Dubai.... should have got some in Galle and packed it.
We had a coffee and then went to the Gate. We're delayed out of Sri Lanka and have a mad dash to make our connection in Dubai. Didn't sleep on either flight. Oh well, more chance to watch films and comedy channel. I finally saw the end of Australia. Dreadful film!
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