Helen and Tony's 2016 Travels: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thursday, 22^nd January.

Forecast Sunny 32 degrees.

We made phone contact with our driver Sam and he met us about an hour later at gate #8 as very few taxi/tour operators where allowed to enter the dock area. The day started with a slow trip though the city streets to the Highway. We were heading down to the south West coast. The Highway drive gave us the opportunity to see the country side and all the crops of rice, tea, cinnamon and rubber. The entire area is so green and lush.

We stopped for a snorkel and also had lunch at a place called MAMA’s. The service and attention given us was lovely. The snorkelling was hard work as the waves were breaking over the reef and thereby pushing us back to the beach. It was not the best underwater world but not the worst either.

On our return journey we saw the coastal areas hit by the tsunami. A Temple built on a little island very close to land miraculously survived the tsunami were the whole mainland coastal area was destroyed.

We then stopped at a Moonstone mine, to see the production from bringing the clay and rocks to the surface, washing, and then sorting them. We were also able to view the polishing and setting stage. They have a shop on site. While there we also were able to see cinnamon distillery process. Very little oil is produced from a vast amount of bark.

Back to the ship we headed, the city traffic again slowing the trip. We had a great day, Sri Lanka is a very clean city and I would visit it again if the opportunity arose. Sam is a very knowledgeable and accommodating guide and I would recommend him to anyone travelling to Colombo.