Even with my somewhat niche vocational interest in the administration of Sri Lankan law enforcement I had not expected to spend part of our last full day in Colombo visiting a.police station. But Terry's less than serendipitous loss of his camera presented exactly that opportunity.
I volunteered to go with Terry as I thought he could do with a break from Cathy's disdain, and we were worried she may ask them to lock him up. I had commented that perhaps his colourful shorts were not the best option for the visit, and when he demurred that he was dressed just like a western tourist I pointed out that he should then expect to be treated like a western tourist! Our visit was uneventful, and also unsuccessful. While the officer we spoke to was perfectly pleasant, and to our relief spoke excellent English, we hit the expected south Asian bureaucratic impasse. However Terry had done the needful: his insurance policy required he report the loss to the local authorities and he had done so, the fact that they made no record of his report is a technicality. We wish him luck with his claim.
Our last day was spent careering around Colombo in a 1948 Jeep, and I mean Jeep, not a pimped up modern 4 wheel drive. And our guide and driver, Nish, was even more quirky than his Jeep. Nish has been a DJ in his hey-day and was a huge Air Supply fan, an announcement which promoted our chorus of Whole Lot of Love. Nish took us around parts of Colombo we would not have been aware of, and this finished off a splendid trip to this enchanting island nation.
We have travelled by all sorts of transport, apart from the jeep we have been on bullock cart, boat, trains, bike (well my companions did a bike ride while I stayed by the pool) and by the ubiquitous auto rickshaws. We have eaten a wide range of foods, and I am now a committed believer in curry for breakfast.
We have seen temples, of both varieties, churches, stupors galore and impressive colonial architecture going back to the 17th century.
Elephants are a highlight of a trip to Sri Lanka, but we were equally taken with the bird life, squirrels, monkeys and my new favourite, the water buffalo. And we have stayed is some fantastic accommodation.
But overwhelming it is the people who make a trip to Sri Lanka a joy - everyone is welcoming and warm. I don't often say I am coming back to a place - my mantra is, that was nice but there are plenty more countries out there. But with Sri Lanka I am already looking at the reports that the national airline is about to recommence direct flights from Melbourne.
I volunteered to go with Terry as I thought he could do with a break from Cathy's disdain, and we were worried she may ask them to lock him up. I had commented that perhaps his colourful shorts were not the best option for the visit, and when he demurred that he was dressed just like a western tourist I pointed out that he should then expect to be treated like a western tourist! Our visit was uneventful, and also unsuccessful. While the officer we spoke to was perfectly pleasant, and to our relief spoke excellent English, we hit the expected south Asian bureaucratic impasse. However Terry had done the needful: his insurance policy required he report the loss to the local authorities and he had done so, the fact that they made no record of his report is a technicality. We wish him luck with his claim.
Our last day was spent careering around Colombo in a 1948 Jeep, and I mean Jeep, not a pimped up modern 4 wheel drive. And our guide and driver, Nish, was even more quirky than his Jeep. Nish has been a DJ in his hey-day and was a huge Air Supply fan, an announcement which promoted our chorus of Whole Lot of Love. Nish took us around parts of Colombo we would not have been aware of, and this finished off a splendid trip to this enchanting island nation.
We have travelled by all sorts of transport, apart from the jeep we have been on bullock cart, boat, trains, bike (well my companions did a bike ride while I stayed by the pool) and by the ubiquitous auto rickshaws. We have eaten a wide range of foods, and I am now a committed believer in curry for breakfast.
We have seen temples, of both varieties, churches, stupors galore and impressive colonial architecture going back to the 17th century.
Julia outside our17th century villa in Galle
Elephants are a highlight of a trip to Sri Lanka, but we were equally taken with the bird life, squirrels, monkeys and my new favourite, the water buffalo. And we have stayed is some fantastic accommodation.
When there is no seat left - improvise!
But overwhelming it is the people who make a trip to Sri Lanka a joy - everyone is welcoming and warm. I don't often say I am coming back to a place - my mantra is, that was nice but there are plenty more countries out there. But with Sri Lanka I am already looking at the reports that the national airline is about to recommence direct flights from Melbourne.
Hotel arrivals usually meant a hot or cold towel and a herbal tea, but 98 Acres went the extra mile with hotel sashes
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