Natural Grace & Limpid Beauty

Sri Lanka is a variegated bead necklace. The sky turns purple grey, the ocean blue pink, flowers peep out in yellow, pink, reds and violet, trees in all hues of green and brown, buildings are colonial white, folks dressed in bright colours, coconuts yellow mustard, trains painted blue green red, The Buddha in gold, bronze, red and ochre and the sun a fiery orange.

   

At the airport immigration queue a smiling lady with an unlined face, hair in a bun at her nape, greeted and offered a packet. 
"Take, its your local sim card charge with fifty rupees."
Oh the clever Sri Lankans! What could be better than the document verification at the airport. But the convenience of a local sim, incredible. Later when charging the fifty is considered a loan and deducted. One of the nicest entries to a country.
The first stretch out of the airport hugs the shoreline. It looks like backwaters. All too soon we are on the elevated highway skimming past tree tops.Its hot, but not humid like Chennai and there is always a slight breeze.

As this was not the first visit, the accent was on relaxation and walking. Colombo is ideal for this. Roads are well paved and motorists well mannered waiting courteously for pedestrians to pass, of course at the zebra crossing. Streets are busy with flowing traffic of cars, bikes, tuk tuks and buses but there is little congestion or crowding in spite of the tiny roads. The tuk tuks are in abundance, clean and very safe though all do not sport metres. The metered ones have a sign on the top. It is convenient to freely travel around the city in the tuk tuks.      

Walking was at the Galle Face Green. Galle Face Green Colombo is not green. It is an open stretch of sand and walkways along the Galle Face Drive stretching from roundabout of the Ministry of Defence and going up to the Galle Face Hotel. This stretch is served by fine heritage buildings, lovely roads,

cafes, hotels and little further on Temple Trees the official residence of the Prime Minister. All this is visible during the day but as the sun shadows creep towards the horizon, its the water that holds the gaze. The ocean, the heavens and the huge fiery orb being dragged down by galloping stead's.

Relaxation was casually browsing around the Dutch Hospital shopping arcade with expensive boutiques and European style cafes with meats and cold cuts. 

For a typical Sri Lankan meal The Pagoda Tea Rooms right outside the back of the Dutch Hospital is the perfect choice.

This 150 year old establishment is cool and airy with high lofty ceilings, well spaced teak tables and chairs and smiling service staff. There is rice with choice of egg, vegetables or chicken curry. The tray of food comes with lentil, salad, greens and fried okra or aubergine. It was fresh and satisfying accompanied by delicious home made lemonade. 
Bakery shelves are laden with warm pastries, cream cakes, chicken patties,freshly baked breads, sandwiches, burgers, rolls, tarts and so much more. A table will order a platter of rolls, buns, burgers, tarts and coffee and that is a meal. It is delicious.

Paradise Road, Odel, Barefoot, House of Fashion are beautiful stores. The ceramic collection at Paradise Road is stunning while Odel is now another Brand Mall. Arpico & Keels are best places to buy food products, the sambols, the spices, tea etc. Also Hopper baskets, and other home use stuff. During the tourist season the big jewellery stores run sales with huge discounts only for foreigners. A fabulous display of gems and semi precious stones. 

Kandy can be visited by road or rail. The train journey is a feast to view the countryside from the open observation car with wind in the hair and a fine drizzle against the cheeks. Colombo Fort Station is orderly and clean. The Train journey of 2 1/2 hours winds along fields, small villages, over rivers, dense plantation before puffing up the gradient to Kandy.  

Kandy Railway station is a charming heritage place with a quaint wooden Time Table Board.

The Temple of The Buddha Relic is easy to each but crowded. Foreigners have to pay an entrance fee.

The lake is in the City centre and there are plenty of eating houses.

The Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo is a large complex of many statues and meditation halls. Soothing chants reverberate through the corridors.

Yes Sri Lanka is once more a priceless variegated necklace threaded with natural serenity and graceful people for the visitor. For those living there, compassion, peace and tolerance for a lasting closure.