From Qatar to Sri Lanka

After another night disturbed by my coughing (!) we were up early for our transfer to the airport, with the same driver as on our arrival a couple of days before. We were there in plenty of time to have a light breakfast (good espresso, dry muffin) and to buy some cough pastilles in the pharmacy!

We boarded on time and took off over the sea. Later I had good views from my window seat as we flew over the deserts of the UAE and Oman. Lunch was served (OK chicken and a delicious dessert that I couldn't quite identify).

We were over the sea for much of the flight, and when we crossed the tip of India it was quite cloudy. So it was only as we were coming in to land in Colombo that I was able to grab a few photos.

Immigration was quick but we had quite a long wait for our bags. We changed a small amount of money before heading to the meet and greet area where our driver/guide Champi was waiting for us.

It was a fairly short drive to Ngombo where I'd reserved a room for the night at the Swanee Grand hotel. Despite the name it was simple rather than grand, but more than adequate and very reasonably priced. The room was a good size with a mosquito net draped four-poster (a shame though about the hole in the net!) We had a/c and a fan (much needed as it was 32 degrees), WiFi and a good shower.

Our room at the Swanee Grand Hotel

I took advantage of the latter to cool off as well as wash my hair, and had a sort-out of my suitcase to reflect the change of climate. Then we had dinner on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool. There was some lightening and occasional rumbles of thunder, and a few brief splashes of rain too, but we were under cover and now it was dark the temperature was just right. We'd been warned the food would be cooked to order and take up to an hour, which it did. But we sat happily chatting over our drinks, which were necessarily non-alcoholic. It was full moon which in Sri Lanka means a Buddhist holiday when no alcohol can be served.

And when the food did arrive it was delicious. A big plateful of rice each (mine yellow, like pilau, and Chris's plain basmati) with a potato curry (mine), chicken curry (Chris’s) and several vegetable dishes which we shared. The latter included pumpkin, dhal and cabbage. And the bill was just £16 for this lovely spread and four soft drinks. A great introduction to food in Sri Lanka!