Colombo

We had booked first class tickets to Colombo, on the train, but we couldn't get seats together, so were hoping we'd be able to switch with someone. As it turned out, the car was half empty and I got to sit in the window seat next to Mark and take ridiculous photos of the stunning valley and mountain views as we descended. We were served lunch? Snack? Awful!! After a fairly gentle trip down the mountain, we were surprised to find the rest of the way was a really rough ride. It was if we were on zigzag tracks. I heard one woman who got off a few stops before us, complain loudly about bruising her arm from how we were thrown from side to side. We had a 3:00 pm departure, started a little and didn't arrive in Colombo until after 6:00. As we were checking into our hotel,(hotel Renuka, as recommended by Danny and Benna ) we were given a choice of a deluxe room, for just $10 more. I checked out the rooms and definitely preferred the new one with no perfumery smells, and that gorgeous view over the Indian Ocean. We then found the cafe also recommended by D & B. It was a very trendy place with sort of fusion food. Mark had the squid ink risotto, and had the grilled seer fish with coconut risotto, which was fabulous, but not enough of the risotto. There was a note in our room that told us the next day was a Full Moon Festival holiday and there would be alcohol available or served anywhere in the city, as we found a supermarket and got a bottle of wine and a few Lion beers just in case.

The next day our strategy was to go the Pellah market where the guidebook said there would be textiles. We hopped a tuktuk after the usual negotiations. When we got there we realized that all the Buddhists' shops would be closed. We still found a few open and they had lovely dupioni silk for $4 yard, some nice woven cottons too, but we will go back tomorrow to look for other things. That last photo is the view from our hotel room. Cool, huh?

Later, the elephants are coming!!!!!!