Blogs from Western Province, Sri Lanka, Asia - page 4

Today my colleague and I decided to go to the much mentioned and recommended Barefoot Cafe, which has 3 locations, the one at 704 Galle Road being the one with the Sunday lunchtime jazz. You really need to book, all the tables under cover we’re reserved and we ended up outside huddled in the sort of shade of a tree, way out of reach of the fans. It was very hot. To get there we trotted through the Crescat Mall to the front where the tuktuks pull up, but the first ones weren’t metered. We decided to give the Pick Me app a whirl, said where we were and it came up with the driver’s name and reg number. He was a bit of a way away. We walked to the road and it looked like ... read more

Despite not particularly enjoying staying somewhere so formal/expensive, there are advantages, like coming back after a day’s work and finding fresh fruit in the room. A glass of wine would be better, but that’s never going to happen. And the breakfast is such a joy, although the Chinese stuff is a bit odd. There are up to 4 weddings a day in the central area, non-stop matrimonials here. Last night my working buddy and I thought we’d give the Noodles restaurant in the hotel a go. The prices didn’t look too bad for food, with the option of a starter sized portion of a lot of things. Being very partial to a bowl of Vietnamese pho I thought it would be right up my streeet. It wasn’t. The noodles were instant and tasted like a pot ... read more

Today was a working day, so not too much to report. More curry for breakfast, it was so good I was nearly moaning out loud! The mutton curry was a bit tough but hey, I’m not complaining. And I was sitting in a MUCH better position to put my illegal lunch in my handbag. Result! A taxi had been booked for my colleague and I and arrived more or less on time. Apparently the traffic wasn’t too bad, it took about 20mins to go the 5km to the centre. The cost was 460rupees, more or less. A kind of receipt was produced on a random bit of paper the driver found on the floor of his cab. Good enough! At the end of the day I was finished first, so decided not to wait. The taxi ... read more

So this is the start of my 4 week experience working In Sri Lanka. I must say, Sr Lankan Airlines provide a painless experience. The flight went in a flash. So much easier to sit for 10 1/2 hours rather than the usual 13 to Singapore etc. Boarding was interesting. The announcement said please remain seated until your row number is called. Everyone immediately stood up. I was in 22,meaning one of the last. The seats are 2-4-2, and I was quite disappointed to have a buddy next to me, although he was a very p9lite medical student going home to visit his family. He shook my hand, bless. Everyone I’ve met so far has been unfailingly polite. On arrival I was disappointed that the immigration officer took no notice at all of my business visa, ... read more

I am sitting in the Ceylon Tea House in Kandy sheltering from the monsoon rains which, it turns out, they weren't exaggerating about. Kandy is a cool little town but the rain has quite literally put a dampner on things. I travelled from Colombo early this morning so I am still suffering the after effects of my early start. I only spent a day in Colombo and that was probably enough, although the rain and my jetlag probably contribute towards a worse opinion that is really justified. It's a nice city but it is busy and chaotic which sometimes I enjoy but hobbling through the bustling crowds of Pettah market with an unhappy body clock and a still tender broken toe was not as fun as I had hoped my first day in Sri Lanka would ... read more