As the Indian prime minister was making an official visit today and Colombo would be having a security shutdown right where our hotel in fort Colombo is situated we decided to visit Galle further south.We took the second tuktuk to the station as the first one wanted an exorbitant amount (even if it is only pence,it's the principle).
As it was an early start we had breakfast at 6 am in the restaurant that has a fabulous view of the port so we watched some boat movements and pelican flying about as the sun rose .Our train left on time and we have our own curtained off 2 seat compartment,fully air conditioned and only £8 for the two of us. We ran along the coast for some time passing palm fringed sandy beaches,tumbledown beach shacks where people were starting their daily lives,children going to school impeccably dressed in their white uniforms ,women washing clothes or sweeping their houses and every now and then a smart hotel with a pristine sea view.
More or less across the road from the railway station lies the old Dutch fort,similar in design to many fortified towns back in Holland (see our trip to Gorrinchem last autumn ) except no windmills but did have a clock tower and lighthouse built by the British. The town is pretty unchanged with many of the old buildings having been converted over to more modern. After strolling around the streets we walked around the ramparts that were built to resist cannon but actually protected the fort well during the tsunami back in 2005. The cricket ground suffered but is back in use now.Our lunch was a burger and chips with ice tea but with a Sinhalese touch. Ozzie beef but all else local and home made with proper chips!
When we got back to the hotel there appeared to have been a mix up with our hotel booking as our information didn't tally with theirs received from local agent and of course the office was closed but it should be sorted in the morning(fingers crossed).At least we have a bed!