Colombo

[Michele Monro]

The pear-shaped island of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon), lies in the Indian Ocean and is entirely within the tropics. Its only 18 miles from the southern tip of India. Colombo, the country's largest city, leading port and commercial capitol, is on the west coast. Sri Lanka is a similar size to Tasmania, half the area of England and slightly smaller than Ireland. About 70% of the population are Buddhists. The country is the world's fourth largest producer of tea after China, India and Kenya and of course the movie classic Bridge On the River Kwai was shot on location here.

Lucia and I picked to go to the Mount Lavinia Beach Resort for some R&R. Wrong. We were greeted on the quay by the most exquisitely dressed dancers and drummers as well as an array of small stalls, which had been set up especially for us, stocking everything from postcards, tea and carved elephants to batik, sari material and Buddha figures. Lucia went straight for the gems and was able to replace those that were lost when she was married to Ken, it meant a great deal to her.

Our bus was supposed to pick us up at 9.15am but we were still waiting for it at 10.00am. Several had broken down en-route and a couple of tours had to be cancelled. I so wish that one of them had been ours. 45 minutes later after battling Colombo's traffic over the seven mile journey we pulled up at what looked like an elegant Colonial hotel. We were pointed in the direction of the beach and twenty steps later there was most certainly the beach but alas no sign of any chairs or loungers. Worse than that .... forget the fact that I mistakenly thought that a beach resort wold have jet skis or catamarans or the like for hire, you couldn't venture into the sea at all because os strong undertows. Up the twenty steps and in need of oxygen, I went to find the pool - easy - what wasn't was trying to get a seat and some shade. If I'd wanted to sit by a pool I would have stayed on the ship for free.

We hitched a ride on another tour's bus as ours hadn't turned up and hightailed it back to the port. I had hoped to head off to the Fort district in the north of the city and to catch some local colour in Pettah's Bazaar, a warren of streets rich in mosques, Buddha and Hindu temples and all lined with shops selling everything from exquisitely worked gold jewelry to herbs for Ayurvedic treatments but we were several hours later back than planned and I was in quite a lot of pain so I thought it best to give it a miss. It was a great shame because none of us on that tour felt we had glimpsed anything of Colombo.

The clocks went forward again tonight so we are now 6 1/2 hours ahead of England. We've now got two days at sea en-route to Phuket, the weather is holding at 31 degrees and I feel another pool day coming on. I've had a follow up to my letter to the Captain and I've been invited to the Bridge. Quite exciting as the latter says I have to be discreet as Bridge visits for the passengers are not currently being conducted, so I feel very privileged to have been invited. They were very nice to me on the Bridge but I was disappointed that the Captain wasn't there. Seven people had been invited up but once they started talking technical I switched off.

Because it was rocky and windy last night I had closed the balcony door and during that first sea day I felt more and more off. I missed Kate Adie's second talk as the Bridge visit clashed with the timing but it would appear it was no great loss. Several passengers told me later that many of the audience had walked out because it had feminist undertones.

I listened to the post talk on Phuket and decided to cancel my trip to James Bond Island, firstly because it is more than 4 hours of traveling and also because we don't actually stop there, just circle around by boat. I have put myself down for the Temple and Elephant outing instead but as I still don't feel great I am avoiding the black tie night and am going to watch The Pursuit of Happiness instead. Clocks have gone forward again making us 7 hours ahead of Blighty.

The seas have calmed down a lot now. I know a lot of people felt sea sick yesterday but not I thankfully although I am grateful not to be lurching across the ship. The temperature has dropped to 20 degrees but it has become very humid. We hit too small rain showers mid morning but they only lasted a few minutes each but what was interesting is that we saw a centrifugal force which is a twister made of water. It was incredible and they are apparently quite a rarity to see. I spent the afternoon with the comic Mick Miller and Professor Harvey Mann. Mick told me he'd worked with dad a few times and we had a great afternoon talking about the business.

I left a message for Leon today as it has been two weeks since I did my talk and dozens of people have been coming up to me asking when I am next on. Not only is it frustrating but also embarrassing. Tess and Bill joined the table for the 0s and 70s party which was on Deck 9. He's a hoot and constantly takes his teeth out much to Tess's annoyance. She is slightly deaf and whispers everything so they both irritate each other but they are both so funny without trying to be.

David Bailey, well that is what I call him, was busy snapping away at the party on his Nikon but he takes great pictures and is getting copies done for everyone who has been 'victim' to his shutterbug obsession.

Got a letter from the tour desk offering a 50% refund for the fiasco that was Colombo. I think most everyone got the same letter and it's certainly not a reply to the letter I sent them a couple of days ago. They had the cheek to write, " that while they appreciate there were some disappointment, the day did bring some enjoyment". Hello, are they nuts, the only part I actually enjoyed was betting back to the ship which didn't seem to likely at one point. They haven't heard the last of this.

[Marian]

I was looking for your report from Colombo as it was one we had place we visited, even stayed at Mount Lavinia Beach Resort, so found you had such a disappointing time in Sri Lanka Michele.
Our daughter was teaching in at the International School for five years. so we had plenty of time to discover of the treasures of the island. I'm glad your got some refund for your visit, but that can no way make up for the a missed opportunity.