Wednesday, 15 October 2014

Sri Lanka: Colombo

The things I heard about Colombo were bad: too busy, too noisy, no highlights... but I find it quite refreshing. There are big offices, bank headquarters and businessmen are running around in their suits in the blazing sun. I leave my hostel and walk in my shorts trough the banking area. There is an old man who finished working and has to go the same way. He asks if I want to see the baby elephant being fed in the temple. Sure! He stops a tuktuk and off we are. The temple is free but you have to make a 'donation'. It's part temple, part museum and part baby elephant prison. I can feed the poor fella for free, but afterwards the caretaker demands a big tip.




The old man says there's a must see place further south. Reluctantly I agree. Back in the same tuktuk he tells about Colombo and his work and family. He sounds like he has plenty of time and just wants to show me some of his city. Second stop is the independance square, third is a shopping center/gallery. During every stop he makes the tuktuk driver wait. Fearing this will cost me a lot, I say I will continue on foot the next time. No no you must see this statue, and the town hall, and the museum. After the unimpressive statue I say it's been enough and will continue alone. The tuktuk driver demands 4000 rupees (25 euros) for all the waiting time which is extremely expensive! And then the old man also asks me for a big tip!



Displeased by all the greediness I continue on foot in my own pace. This give me more time to enjoy the nice Viharamahadevi park. Somebody points me to the direction of a big tree filled with big bats (flying foxes). There are even more crows in the park, and they are very aggressive. I wonder when scenes from 'The Birds' will become reality here.



The sun is setting so I hurry to 'Galle Face Green', the peer where all the locals gather every evening. They eat, talk, play and sport, all under a magical yellow glow. Sitting and enjoying the view is the perfect end to my very nice stay in Sri Lanka.




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