A Face at the Window

We arrived yesterday lunch time after a pleasant and uneventful flight – uneventful unless you take account of the guy who had a heart attack and a woman who woke everyone at 3.30am with cries of “Help me!” when her partner suffered a bout of unconsciousness due to low blood pressure and ended up being carted off by the air stewards to emerge later on unscathed.  The passengers were up like meerkats to gawp but John feigned indifference because he had taken his lenses out and couldn’t see.

Fortunately everyone arrived alive and only an hour later than anticipated.  The airport was interesting as you pass through duty free before you collect your luggage.  You can buy anything in duty free and I mean anything - washing machines, fridges, alcohol but unfortunately NO FAGS.  I was worried about being stopped with my tobacco contraband but was prepared to risk the £30 fine and confiscation for the chance of my nicotine fix – even John was involved in the smuggling.  We needn’t have worried and all went fine, after collecting our bags and exchanging money we headed through the ‘foreigners can bring in what they like’ channel and went in search of our pre-arranged driver.  A gentleman with one eye was holding up a sign with my name – I waved and he hobbled forward with a very bad limp.  Our driver?  Luckily he was the hotel manager who had to our relief brought along a driver……….Phew!.

Our standard room was not available and so we are upgraded to the presidential suite.  Sitting at the corner of the hotel the room has glass walls on two sides with great views of the beach and the Indian Ocean.  There is a drawback however as the balcony appears to double up as the staff rest room – something I didn’t notice when I went for a shower. We almost had an embarrassing moment when John noticed a man standing outside just as I was coming out of the shower.  John’s shouts alerted me to the danger but unfortunately, in his rush to close the curtains John dragged down the curtain rail much to the amusement of our unwelcome viewer.  We eventually restored order although the curtains at the front of our room have since remained securely closed,   We do have a lovely sitting out area which is not accessible by any one although it does afford the odd view of a bloke in his underpants on the next balcony.

 Not long after arriving the heavens opened which really cleared the air

We fought off sleep and went out early doors for a look around and some food and drink.  Negombo is a ramshackle but interesting place with one main street with a selection of bars and restaurants all selling much the same stuff.  The local beer is called Lion presumably because too much makes you roar.  John having enjoyed a few bottles of Lion lager decided to try the Sri-Lankan Lion stout which tasted good but with an abv of 8.8% could no way be described as a session beer.

We enjoyed a ‘mild’ curry as an introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine – John gets hiccups if he tastes hot curries – John hiccupped but the  dhal and  various accompaniments made for a delicious meal. We retired for an early night and the stout was a great help in bringing on a good night’s sleep (for John).  Luckily the curtains were still hanging.