TRAVEL: SRI LANKA COLOMBO

 landed quite late ad ran into a visa problem, although I had it bought and pid for and printed out in advance, there was an error in the spelling of my name, so I couldn't go through,  luckily they were very understanding and said problems like this happened, so I should talk to the supervisor, I waited briefly outside the office, went in and explained and he fixed me up a new one, free of charge, I was so lucky, and he was so kind! 

I got my visa online, but its also possible to get on arrival, but you need to queue up and wait and pay a bit extra. not everyone can apply on line, need to check the criteria in advance, uk passport and Irish passport.

https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp?locale=en_US

we got a uber to the Hilton (Andrew was using his Hilton points and even got a free upgrade to business so the room was huge and the sent some goodies like food and drinks and we were greeted with fresh fruit juice on arrival to which was amazing) https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/colhitw-hilton-colombo/?WT.mc_id=zELWAKN0APAC1HI2DMH3LocalSearch4DGGenericx6COLHITW

there was a lot of security to get in due to the 2019 terrorist attacks, in which 3 churches and luxury hotels in Colombo were targeted  (Shangrila, Cinnamon grand, Kingsbury and the Tropical Inn) 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Sri_Lanka_Easter_bombings

the cars were lightly searched and our luggage and belongings were through the X-ray check and we were body scanned too before being able to enter.  the room was huge and the view at night was lovely too, the garden all lit up. the only downside was they were doing some renovation work so it wasn't possible to get to the pool or sauna easily, however they could organise a free ride to take you there if you wanted.

breakfast was a huge choice, all free and with great fresh fruit juice, coffees teas etc, very international.

 

 our window view overload the old parliament buildings 

 Khan Clock Tower which marks the entrance to Pettah market

 Galle face beach / Galle Face green

after breakfast we went for a walk to check out the nearby area, the market hadn't opened yet though, we passed the pettah market but it wasn't opened yet, it was pretty hot and rather busy, lots of nice old buildings, very colonial amidst the modern. although its mainly hindu like Indian there is the beautiful red Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque.    we didn't really spot any foreigners, many of the women wore traditional sari's to go about their daily life. we went through a busy wet market, lots of bright fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices. a colourful array. 

https://nerdnomads.com/10-cool-things-to-do-in-colombo

https://www.andbeyond.com/advice/asia/sri-lanka/colombo/why-visit-colombo/

 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/colombo/top-things-to-do

 

Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque (red mosque on pittah street)

  

we walked all the way down to the floating market, passing landmarks such as the old firestation, with its beautiful Dutch colonial architecture

. 

https://www.gpsmycity.com/gps-tour-guides/colombo-419.html

MARKET

it was early afternoon, hot, and the market was basically empty and only a few shops open, it comes more to life at night. we got some juice and chilled in the shade of the picnic tables with umbrellas wondering at the huge pelicans in the water

Colombo Lotus Tower (350m)

11th tallest in Asia, 19th tallest in the world. opened in 2019

 

Pettah Floating Markets

we got a tuk tuk  to the other side of the city to check out indepdence square, and other famous sights like the museum and  Viharamahadevi Park which is full of huge trees.its quite dusty but busy enough with a small cafe in the centre and a large buddha statue. 

Independence Square

 

 

 National Museum

Viharamahadevi Park

we then continued (in the heat) to check out some temples, like in Thailand you must remove your shoes, some places require you cover up, no shorts or bare arms. 

lots of antiques, quite peaceful and not super busy, there was a foreigner woman teaching a local kid with her mum, was cute, I listening in nearby watching, was nice to see.

we headed on towards  american couple near the water temple, back for class, happy hour food & jacuzzi 

Gangaramaya Temple on  Beira Lake bumping into an American couple and chatting. after that we got a tuktuk back to the hotel, and Andrew headed out to meet a couch surfer for food and a drink who was willing to mind his big luggage while we travel, while he went out I did my online class.  

there was a residents, vip slot on the second floor with free food and drinks which I checked out after I tried the jacuzzi, because they are renovating instead of walking over the bridge to get there they got one of their cars to take me. there's a sauna jacuzzi, gym and outdoor pool. was nice! 

later on I had a nice relaxing bath before bed, since I only have a shower on Shanghai. 

the next morning we got a minivan (rebooked) to Anarudaphura (bus or train, around 4 hours) getting it just at the front of Galle Face beach green 

can find and book via 12go

https://12go.co/en