Well today we have arrived in Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka, and another new port for us and we are doing our very first Princess Tour today, of this cruise. We cancelled our tour to Kandy as it just seemed like such a long drive and huge day, so are going with a city sites tour……
The Taj Mahal tour returned this morning and we hear it was a brilliant side trip – they're now all off to bed!! Except for Sharon and David who stayed overnight in Colombo for a sleep in (very good thinking) and I caught them later in the day arriving fresh as little daisies at the lift early afternoon…..
Back to early morning and we sat in the Vista lounge with the hundreds of others going on similar tours and waited about 45 mins. before we could board the bus – oh, how we don't like big tours. Unfortunately our guide wasn't too easy to understand and when his microphone didn't work, we had people calling out and giving him advice, etc., etc. (not happy Jan) – nothing worked and we really didn't know where we were going or what we were going to see (as things tend to change), in fairness though we really can't complain as we have barely have had to complain since we left all those weeks ago……..
It was only about 9 kms into Colombo and our first stop was a "MUSEUM" (not another museum!!!) - it was a grand white building and there were mainly stone, lots of stone, artifacts – the latrines were definitely a 'stately' feature…… and the little shop was nice, but I couldn't be tempted.
We then went to a really colourful small Buddhist Temple (don't know the name) which was quite delightful and full of happiness – lots and lots of beautiful photos taken!!
We drove round and around the city, a couple of times I think and also along the really pretty beach until we stopped for refreshments at the Warwick Hotel. We were lucky as we must have been one of the first buses to arrive, as by the time we had eaten our finger sandwich and slice of cake and waited and waited for a cup of tea, the queues were literally out the door as many other buses arrived at the same time!!
Off again and no mention of going to the Pettah Market, and as we were also meant to go to a jewellery outlet, which didn't happen either, as consensus ruled that we go to a department store instead –- except their version of a department store is quite different to ours – it was pretty much a very large and very modern supermarket, which sold everything except clothes – just as well!!
So back to the ship and a light lunch before I went ashore to browse the markets on the dock – lots of 'nice' jewellery– but bought yet another 'little' dress and a fridge magnet.
Well it was interesting to visit Colombo but we certainly didn't do it justice….. their old colonial buildings are definitely better preserved, and there are many modern office buildings and high rise is on the increase – a thriving city and perhaps we'll come back one day and have a good look – on our own!!
Bus loads of weary Kandy tourists arrived back at around 7pm and then it was another super sailaway with our Dawn Nomads, bound for Kuala Lumpur.
Photos: The few that I have of our day in Colombo.
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