When I told my folks that I will be going to Colombo for seven days there first reaction was can’t you wriggle out of it. Not a reaction you expect when you tell your family that I will going abroad for a week. But I am used to this reaction because my jobs takes mr to most unusal places across the globe(Uganda, Congo, Albania, Cyprus, Guam, Chile to name few). Coming back to Ceylon as soon as we landed at Bhandarnaike International airport thing which struck me was the cleanliness of the place which was direct opposit of IGI airport. As I was on bussiness visa immigration was smooth(FIY Indians get free 30 days visa on arrival). Within 40 min of landing I was in the cab which was cruising down on not so wide well surfaced road to Colombo which is about 30 km from airport.
Weatherwise mornings and evenings are pleasent but day time it can get hot and humid. Colombo is much smaller than Delhi, no fly overs(Yes it doesnt have a single fly over roads just bridges over river . Less traffic jams. Another thing I like to point out is most of the roads do not have dividers just yellow lines to divide it half anf nobody crosses that line how very unlike here in saddi dilli.
Foodwise If you like south indian food then it food will not be a problem all the dishes are same but they are have different name here like dal becomes dhal curry, sambhar is sambhol, appam is hopper, dosa becomes dosai and so on. Otherwise city is peppered with Pizza Hut, Mc dee, KFC and Delifrance outlets.
So Here are some Do’s and Dont of the city.
*Things You must do:
*1. Morning walk at Galle Face Green
Evening stroll at Mount Lavinia Beach
Lunch at Harbour Hall in Grand Oriental Hotel.(View of Colombo harbour is fabulous)
Visit Independence Square
Visit Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage( around 50 km fron Colombo).
*Things that can be avoided:
*1. Casinos(not that gr8)
Night Clubs and Karoake bars. Shady places filles with Russian and Thai ladies willing to give you extra services
Sitting in a TUK - TUK(Auti richshaw) without finalising tha fare. They can fleece you and in this regards they are worse than their cousins in Delhi.
Pettah market not worth spending time and money
*Shopping:
1. **House of Fashions: For dirt cheap branded garments(seconds and surplus). If lucky you couls get Armani suit for 2500 INR or a Tommy shirt for 250 INR.
Odel: Souviners
Lanka Hands: Sri Lankan Handicrafts and spices
Mlesna: Tea and Semi Precious stones
*Things You should Always Carry:
*1. Passport: Army can any time stop you and ask for identity proof and if you are not carrying one then bro you are in big time mess.(I was stopped atleast four or five times for security check)
- Umbrella: It can rain any time. Usually last for 15 to 30 min
*Exchange Rate:
*1000 INR will give you approx 2200 LKR(Lankan rupee). Try changing at local money changer they give better rate as comared to banks or changers at airport. USD is preferred as compared to INR
In the end I will like to say that I went to Colombo with lot of apprehension and came back with all the myths broken. It is a beautiful place now I am longing to go back this time with my family.
Till then take care
Gaurav Verma *