On the move

After the good lunch and a good time on the beach I headed back to the hotel. As I am keeping this room and going by train to Galle tomorrow I don't want to carry my full kit. I found a backpack that will do the trick. At AUD $6.80 it won't last much longer than the 2 days I need it for! I then had a bit of a nap that turned into bedtime - long catch up rest. Beautiful early morning session and then via the Wellawatte Cathedral and a 24 hour supermarket for a small marmite for breakfast. Speaking of which - was a full spread today with dhal and chicken curry as well as an egg station. They got very excited when I asked if they could do a chilli omelette! This brekkie made one little piggy very happy! Packed up and went down stairs to see if the same tuk tuk driver was outside. He was so he took me tot Lavinia Station. Of course I was very early and then train ended up being 20 minutes late. All part of the experience. Beautiful day for travel. Boarded and of course standing room only - no visitor stands a chance against a local - seat ticket or not! Standing in the door gets a great breeze and lovely beach views. A lot more swish resorts than I remember from before. Finally got off after 2 1/2 hours and quickly into a tuk tuk. He was a pleasant chap who tried hard so he earned the rip off. He was prepared to barter but I wasn't - I was hot and thirsty, he got me to my digs quickly and I am happy to pay 500 rupees to anywhere! Some are luckier than others. The little cafe/ hotel is bang in the middle of Old Town and is character plus - natural not cliche. Upstairs 2 flights on old narrow stairs (prepare the medivac) to an old room with a fan and is self contained - I will leave the description at that - in fact it is more than I should expect for $40 AUD a night. Downstairs for a beer (inside because it is still a religious holiday). The menu looks good both brekkie and dinner - Sri Lankan sections for both. I am too late to think about lunch (over it) and I will leave exploring the Old Town, dutch fort and iconic cricket ground for tomorrow. It reminds me immediately of Hoi An and Malacca. Just spied a meal next to me - curry and rice and it looks and smells amazing! I did go out for a quick circuit - the wasn't too busy but the Fort walls were chockers with holiday families. I had a gelato and seem to remember the one of the few I have had were from here. Not bad but not quite at level of the one near the Parthenon in Rome!Read more