Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka couldn't be more different to Dubai. From high rise opulence to Indian ocean island existance. Our flight out of Dubai was delayed by fog -so Brian had 6 hours in his seat instead of the planned 4. He coped but was pleased to get off. Everything went to plan on arrival - our driver Chandrika met us and we drove through Sunday night throngs of people who were out on the streets celebrating a special day in the Buddhist calendar and listening to the rallying cries of supporters for this Thursday's Presidential election. My first reaction was why are there no street lights...it seemed so dark and warm. It was 28 degrees and very humid. There were some lights from enormous television screens on roundabouts...showing videos of the President seeking re-election. What our H&S people would say about that I can only guess. They caused huge traffic congestion as everyone slowed down to watch!
Yesterday we wandered around the city in the morning-one man who asked us where we were from said " oh like the barmy army" (England's cricket supporters). Then after relaxing in and by the roof top swimming pool we toured around for 4 hours on a red double decker bus. Sri Lanka is 70% Singalese, 20% Tamil and the rest mixed descendents from the Dutch, Portuguese and British who were each here in turn. Britain's rule lasted from Elizabethan days to Independence in 1948 so many streets and buildings have UK connections so lots of history...an interesting trip.
People here seem to work hard ...But education from age 3 including university is free as is health care and everyone we have met has been very friendly and interested in us.

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