Well, the flight to Colombo was about 3.5 hours and it was 6am Australian time before we made it to our hotel. Needless to say we were exhausted!
Colombo airport was a little unusual
. Between immigration and baggage were the usual suspects of duty free including makeup and alcohol but these were dominated heavily by white goods stores that would put the average industrial area in Australia to shame. It must be relatively common for travelers to arrive (often after midnight) and purchase fridges, freezers, washing machines etc before heading to the carousel to get their bags.
Thankfully our driver, Manoj, was there to pick us up and take us to our hotel. Whilst Tim slept, I observed the scenery. Whilst late at night, there was definitely a feel of Thailand (not Phuket). There were many tuk tuks but of the Bangkok variety. But instead of the many tributes to the king, and to Buddha - instead there is predominantly a catholic feel in Negombo with grottoes with Jesus and/or Mary often lit up with fairy lights! There were many Catholic Churches, and I even noticed "Fatima Road".
Negombo apparently has a mainly Roman Catholic population and is called "Little Rome" with over 20 Catholic Churches. The Portuguese influences are very obvious here!
We managed to get a few hours sleep in our hotel and woke to a nice view from our room. Breakfast was on the beach and whilst the weather is warm - it isn't too hot (yet anyway!).
As you do in Sri Lanka, we enjoyed curries and egg hoppers for breakfast. We head off mid morning for some Sri Lankan adventures!
Arrival into Sri Lanka
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Other Entries
-
1A day of travel
Jul 171 day priorSingapore, Singaporephoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
2Arrival into Sri Lanka
Jul 18Negombo, Sri Lankaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
3From Elephants to Monkeys
Jul 18later that dayKandamala, Sri Lankaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 1 -
4Heritage Kandamala
Jul 191 day laterKandamala, Sri Lankaphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 2 -
51200 Steps, Elephant Trekking, Curries and Temples
Jul 202 days laterSigiriya, Sri Lankaphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 3 -
6Dambulla to Kandy
Jul 202 days laterKandy, Sri Lankaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
7The hills are alive with tea!
Jul 213 days laterNuwara Eliya, Sri Lankaphoto_camera23videocam 0comment 0 -
8Into the Wild
Jul 224 days laterYala National Park, Sri Lankaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 1 -
9A safari and food poisoning
Jul 235 days laterYala National Park, Sri Lankaphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
10Galle - Sri Lanka's "Hoi An"
Jul 246 days laterGalle, Sri Lankaphoto_camera28videocam 0comment 0 -
11Chilling at the Beach
Jul 257 days laterHikkaduwa, Sri Lankaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
12Colombo - enjoyed our stay
Jul 268 days laterColombo, Sri Lankaphoto_camera21videocam 0comment 1 -
13The Maldives. It's paradise!
Jul 2810 days laterMaldives, Maldivesphoto_camera17videocam 0comment 1 -
14First full day in paradise!
Jul 2810 days laterMaldives, Maldivesphoto_camera16videocam 0comment 0 -
15Whale Sharks in the Maldives!
Jul 2911 days laterMaldives, Maldivesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 0 -
16I don't want to leave the Maldives!!
Jul 3012 days laterMaldives, Maldivesphoto_camera18videocam 0comment 1 -
17And on the way home via Singapore
Aug 0114 days laterSingapore, Singaporephoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
18A day in Singapore
Aug 0114 days laterSingapore, Singaporephoto_camera16videocam 0comment 0
2025-02-09