After 3 weeks now it’s time to leave. And we both agree that we’re look forward to go back home…. and as we started here the last pic at the airport …
Colombo Airport
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Monthly Archives: April 2010
Negombo again
I tried to make a reservation in advance for Jetwing Seashells for the last night, was a hard ones but at least it worked. At the Ayubowan we had few hours left before taking the train. The train. Some of the guys recommended because in his mind should be not so crowded as the bus. New year is coming and it’s weekend too so a lot of people will go to Colombo for shopping or visting families. The train was crowded. Even we took the right one, which means we took an express train. We stood the whole ride. Terrible. Than we decided we don’t want to wait for the bus to Negombo and had a look for the right bus. We did it after nearly one hour. First we entered a A/C bus, but as usual, no space for us and the lagguage. So we jumped out and entered a local bus. It was slower but cheaper and comfortable. At least it took us 5 hours ride for approximately 100 km. That’s Sri Lanka too. We got a room and thee surrprise for us was the overtime rate for a late checkout. 30 $. First a thought the guy at the desk was kidding me but he was serious. After a short negotiation we agreed for 20 $. More than enough. But we knew that we’ll have a comfortable stay here until our flight is scheduled. And may be I’ll post our summary for Sri Lanka also.
Bentota – Ayubowan
Ayubowan means in singahlese language “welcome and have a long and prosper life”. And that’s for sure. We stayed at the Ayubowan guesthouse in Bentota which is under swiss management by Walter. You may give him a reservation in advance coz during the high season it’s mostly bokkep up. Check it out here. Ayubowan Guesthouse He’s a very gentle and polite guy. We got a lot of official informations about Sri Lanka as well as some “unofficial”. We heared stories about the “famous” beach boys and people who got trapped by them. Unbelivable but next day we saw such a couple. She was fallen in love to a singahlese beach boy. And married him, even she is 70 years old and he only 23. Big love, yeah. The Ayubowan is a friendly place where you can find peace and silence. The food is great and Walter has such a friendly staff as we had never seen somewhere else here. And even it was just a 2 day stay we enjoyed it very much. Because of some heavy rainshowers we missed a turtle hatchery but I guess it’s ok. And now it comes to the end…..
Bentota – Colombo
We arrived in Bentota but the guesthouse we have choosen in advance was booked up. We had a look around where to stay for one night and found the palm beach inn. Cheap (as it can be here…) but not well maintained, as seen often. Because the beach is again without any shade (but some cows or buffalos were there…) we decided just in a second to take the bus to Colombo. Ride was ok. Colombo itself is crowded and noisy. Can’t compare to any other asian capitals I’ve been before. Changed last TCs and some US $ for next days. After the shopping mall Majestic Complex we tried to catch a bus back to Bentota. What the hell…. had to go back to central bus station but no bus to Bentota. A guy told us we can buy a ticket to Galle (which is 60 km behind Bentota) and jump out in Bentota. We did. But because it was teh day before the election day all busses were overbooked as well as the streets were crowded. The ride back took more than 3 hours , on the way to Colombo we need approximately 75 minutes. The bus stopped and we jumped out but too soon. We were in Alugama, one small city before Bentota. Only advantage was to buy 2 bottles of cold Lion beer at a liqour store. Back in the guesthouse nearly 9 pm we had a late dinner with food we bought at bus station in Colombo. After the breakfast we leaved to the next place without a shower glad that we survived that place…..
Unawatuna – Hikkaduwa
So for today we arrived in Hikkaduwa. First we had a look at Dodanduwa but the guest houses there were not well maintained. Rooms are dark and small, and the Eco village guesthouse is more “eco” than we need. Even Hikkaduwa is well-known for drugs and parties we decided to stay here at Apollo hotel. Nice and clean and very cheap. The owner told us, now the high season is over that’s why we pay only 10 bucks per night. After a short stay at the beach (rocky but nice..) went out for roti and discovered that we’re in a really tourist area. We payed a double price for roti than in Galle. But if you’re hungry you better go for. Let’s see how long we’ll stay here. Next hop should be Bentota which is famous for seeturtle hatcheries.
Galle – dutch fort at south coast
Galle, huge fortress built by dutch conquerors and taken over by british troops in 1756. Great walls to protect Sri Lanka from the south from indian and other pirats. One of the first places where bargain starts, may be over 2.000 years ago. But now it’s a spot for tourists and young guys show cliff jumping for one US $. Crazy. Actually we wanna have breakfast at Pedlars Inn as recommended by travel guide book but it was still closed. So we went to new city, did our business (exchange TC, bought some stuff at local supermarket and some food and fruits) and took the local bus back to Unawatuna. Traveller mathematics goes like this. Tuk-tuk is 300 rupies one way. Bus is 50 rupies both directions. We saved 550 rupies and can go for another chillin cup of coffee :)
Here a outlook from the walls 
And one more pic for my german buddies…
Traveller business…
Sitting right now having a chillin cup of coffee, outside temperature feels like 40 °C. Coffee is good stuff. And it’s definitely too hot to do any other things……
Mirissa – Unawatuna
We took a local bus from Mirissa to Unawatuna. Very cheap, 60 rupies for both of us and a 45 minutes ride. Had a look around by tuk-tuk and decided for Upul guesthost. Nice guys and clean rooms. Without a/c 2.500 rupies for a room with fan, balcony and a beautiful view. Ok. Unawatuna beach is nice but I’ld not count it for a rank under the top ten beaches like they say here. Protected by a coral reef the sea is mostly clear and like a natural pool. Easy swimming. But no shade there from trees or coconut palm trees. That’s a little bit worse. So we don’t know where to lay down ….. anyway. Food is great and no too expensive. And we can sit close to the beach for our meals. Traveller work is done. Postcards for friends and family means to all the don’t have access to read this blog :) We found a nice resort for the next stay, let’s see if we can get a room.
Coconut harvest
Seen this morning. These guys climbed up a coconut palm as fast as a monkey. Incredible. 
Mirissa – 2nd day
Nothing 2 do than sleep, eat, laidback and tanning… nice.
