Sri Lanka

As we approached our next port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, I got very excited because the more I researched, the more I realized how different Sri Lanka would be from anywhere I've been, how colorful the culture is, the mix of people groups and religions.  I was ready for it all!  We headed out from the ship pretty early in the morning and it was already blazing hot as we walked into town.  Right at the port gate we began to be berated with requests for our business.  The perpetrators were tuk-tuk drivers.  Tuk-tuks come n a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on where in the world you are traveling, but here in Sri Lanka they are 3-wheeled vehicles that barely seat a driver and 2 passengers and are open on the sides.  The tuk-tuk drivers were relentless, but we had a plan to walk toward the Pettah Market district.  

We eventually made it there and quickly realized that we were definitely a site to see as a group of young white people in this area of town.  It was interesting to be in a fairly local area and this city isn't exactly swarming with tourists as it is, so the whole thing was already a very authentic, colorful, loud experience.  I couldn't wait to get out and see more of this city, though.  After a few minutes of re-grouping and contemplating our options, Tonyia, Sergii, Anastasia, and I decided to hire a couple of tuk-tuks and go out and about in Colombo.  We wrangled a couple of drivers and struck up a deal for a few hours of their time and we climbed into our bright green and red rides.  We instructed our drivers that we wanted to see some of the temples and the lake area and just the sites of the city and just like that: we were off!  

Our rides for the day!

Those little tuk-tuks weave in and out of traffic and give a great ride!  The city is right in front of you and you get to smell it, see it, and feel the breeze as you do.  What fun.  Our first stop was at Lake Beria, a large lake in the middle of the city.  There's a beautiful wooden Buddhist temple that sits out on top of the water.  It was really pretty to see, but outside was the real attraction.  We saw a man sitting with a small basket beside him and as we approached, he took the lid off the basket and began to play a flute or horn of sorts as a cobra rose up out of the basket!  I hate snakes, so the whole thing was terrifying, but awesome, still.  The cobra was raising, almost floating out of its home, slashing forward every once in a while.  Just as I had had enough, the man reached over to a black bag next to him and started pulling out a python that was probably 9 feet long.  I couldn't believe it.  We were right on a sidewalk with these animals!  The man insisted we hold the snake, wrap it around us.  I wasn't thrilled, but Tonyia had way too much fun posing.  Eventually we pulled ourselves away and headed to the next stop.  

Can you tell how each of us feels about this situation???

Up next was a huge Buddhist temple/complex.  I don't really know how to describe it, but it was part temple, part museum.  It held hundreds and hundreds of Buddha statues, artifacts from the religion, very intricate wood carvings and paintings.  There were many levels to this place, open gardens, balconies over-looking temples and areas for burning incense.  It was a really cool place to explore.  We eventually happened upon an elephant chained up in a back parking lot area.  It was amazing to see, but also sad.  Why that elephant was there I have no idea.  

Tons of Buddha's.

Next we took the tuk-tuks to Galle Face, a waterfront lawn or park kind of public space.  It was a hot and windy day and there were lots of kites being flown on this lawn, which was fun to see.  I love getting out in public spaces like this where locals go to relax.  We said goodbye to Sergii and Anastasia here, but Tonyia and I decided to keep exploring.  Lunch took us to the Grand Cinnamon Hotel.  There, we found a restaurant called Sugar that had delicious local foods for us to try, but the highlight was dessert.  I'm not kidding when I tell you that even today, almost a month later, we are still talking about this dessert.  It was 3 slices of pineapple battered in a funnel cake type batter, deep fried and served with vanilla ice cream and a honey caramel sauce on top.  It was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten.

Tonyia and I jumped into another tuk-tuk and we were on our way again, this time to a Hindu temple.  That's one of the things that make this culture so unique.  There's a major clash of religions here (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian) with Indian influences, Thai and Chinese influences, African influences.  What's great, thought, is that it seems the people are all really living in harmony.  The Hindu temple was overwhelming.  It is shaped almost like some ancient pyramid or something, but it is absolutely covered in detailed sculptures and depictions of all the gods of this religion.  Hinduism has hundreds of gods that are all very unique and exotic looking, so these temples are really amazing to see in person.  They are colorful and intimidating.  

Hindu Temple up close.

Our tuk-tuk driver actually took us to see two of them before taking us to our last house of worship, the Jami-ul-Alfar Mosque.  Built with separate red and white stone, this building looks like it is made of peppermint and belongs in Candyland.  ha ha!  It's bright red and white facade sticks out in the middle of a VERY busy market area.  People were pouring in for midday prayers when we stopped for a couple pictures.  It was the end of our very beautiful, exciting day.  Back on the ship we ended with a quick dip in the pool before sailing away from this exotic country of Sri Lanka.  I had such fun exploring here via tuk-tuk.  

Best, 

Tripp