Day 1

On our first full day in Colombo we were awoken from our slumber before dawn by loud chanting which we would later learn was the Islam way of calling their faithful to prayer . Apparently there are four or more Mosques located in close proximity to A & N's apartment and the first of their daily prayer calls starts around 4.30am.

Due to the time changes I was already half awake so decided to get up and take in our surroundings from the 26th floor. Our ensuite bathroom window was a good spot to take in the many sights as people were waking up to a brand new day. As I looked to my left I was gazing out over the Indian Ocean where the waves were lazily breaking as they rolled onto the shore. As I looked to my right I could see the residents of Slave Island which houses the poorer residents of the city who were just beginning their morning chores and in stark contrast as I looked straight ahead I could see The Taj, a 5 star hotel and other prestige buildings coming to life. In one snapshot, this small window captured so many diverse views of the daily lives of the residents of Colombo.

This morning we met up with Nellie who had been asleep when we arrived in the early hours . It was great to see her looking so well. After breakfast Aaron took Sally, Trev and I in their car sightseeing while Nellie and Leesa took the same route in a Tuk Tuk and met us at a prearranged place for lunch.

We were all pleasantly surprised by the lovely Gallery restaurant and the amazing food it served. I opted for the crab cakes while the others opted for fish or burgers. After lunch we looked at local handcrafts including Sari's – Nellie asked the shop assistant to demonstrate how they should be worn so Nellie and Leesa became the models. They both looked positively lovely.

At another handcraft store Leesa made a good purchase of some unusual coffee mugs and although Sal and I were tempted the lack of space in our luggage curbed our urge to spend.

We arrived home for a quick rest before it was time to dress for dinner. Dinner had been pre-booked at the Lagoon Restaurant situated in the beautiful grounds of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel which is just over a block from the apartment . There are many restaurants within the hotel (fourteen to be exact) however A & N had chosen the only seafood restaurant which we were all looking forward to trying.

The Lagoon restaurant was amazing, it offered every conceivable type of fish and crustacean you could possibly want and it was all on display so diners could view and choose whatever they wanted. In addition you also chose how you wanted it cooked and what sauce you would like to accompany your meal. I chose medium sized prawns, pan fried with a lemon, caper and butter sauce – it was delicious!

Sitting at the table next to us was a group of men – Nellie recognised one of them as being Stuart McGill the ex-Australian cricketer and spin bowler. As Aaron is such a cricketing tragic it was only natural (after some encouragement from Nellie) that he introduce them both and ask for a photo with Stuart. Stuart was very obliging and chatted with both Aaron and Nellie for some time.

Stuart was very interested in what Aaron and Nellie were doing in Sri Lanka and gave Aaron his mobile number and seemed keen to meet up with him sometime for a beer. Stuart explained he is in Colombo for a few months conducting a coaching clinic. It just goes to show that you can be sitting in a restaurant anywhere in the world and you can usually find a fellow Aussie!

Following dinner we moved to an outside restaurant by the pool for coffee . This was a perfect ending to our first day in Colombo.

Day 2 

The next day Nellie went to work for a while so Aaron took us to the National Museum which covers early Ceylonese culture and Colonial rule.   Nellie caught a Tuk Tuk to meet us so we all headed off for lunch at yet another lovely little restaurant . The food has really been an eye opener to all of us – the quality and choice is equal to most places we have visited on our travels.   

After lunch Aaron decided we needed to have a change of culture so we were off to visit some authentic Sri Lankan markets. This time it was Nellie and I who caught a Tuk Tuk. It was great fun being part of the crazy traffic with drivers honking their horns to indicate where they wanted to go. It was only when a bus wanted to pass us with barely enough room that I felt vulnerable.

Nellie and I arrived ahead of the others so stood outside a stall selling every conceivable type of suitcase and bag . It wasn't long before the owner had produced two stools and beckoned for us to sit down while we waited. I have found the Sri Lankans to be a generous, kind and caring people. We have been amazed by the level of respect afforded to us – it is definitely something you don't see as often in Western countries however it does seem common practice in a lot of Asian countries.

Soon after the others arrived so in single file we followed Aaron and Nellie through the narrow streets looking at all manner of things. The stalls are quite diverse with some people selling street food while others sell textiles and electrical goods - Trevor even purchased a new portable beard trimmer.

Aaron described this part of town as being the closest you will get to being in India. Walking among the locals you get a sense of the poverty as many beggars ask you for money however you also see locals who obviously enjoy a more affluent lifestyle.

Walking along the narrow streets we happened upon a large old building that housed the Dutch Museum so we decided to pay it a visit. The Museum recorded the discovery of Ceylon by the Dutch in the 1700's.  The Dutch claimed ownership of the island prior to the take-over by the English. The museum housed many interesting artefacts and huge pieces of furniture bought by ship to the island. One could only marvel at the amazing feat and foresight of these early seafaring explorers!