Colombo, Sri Lanka

March 11, 2023

Our day in Sri Lanka was a sensory mix of sights, smells, sounds and taste. We booked a Tuk Tuk Safari through the streets of Colombo. There were eventually five tuk tuks in our safari. This was not one of the ship’s shore excursions and there was a bit of a kerfluffle before all of us got together.

The ship was docked in an industrial port because there was a pier there that was long enough to accommodate us. Shuttle buses were provided to get us to the gates since walking was not allowed and, in any event, gates were some distance away. There turned out to be more than one gate at the complex and that caused problems for a whole lot of people.

We got off the ship early so that we would have plenty of time to be there before our guide arrived. The shuttles were taking everyone to Gate 8. That was the first mistake. The bus dropped us off in a very unprepossessing neighborhood. There were an abundance of tuk tuks there with drivers asking if we want a tour, but not our tour guide. There were some interesting things to photograph, though.

We had been waiting for awhile when another passenger ran over and told the bunch of us who were waiting there that tours were being met at Gate 1 and that the bus waiting would take us there. So, we hopped on board that bus and off we went. It seemed like our driver wasn’t really sure where Gate 1 was and, after asking directions a couple of times, he found it.

Once we were outside the gate, we found even more tuk tuks and drivers but not our guide. We asked someone if this was where we met Tuk Tuk Safaris Sri Lanka and were told “yes” and directed further down the road. Still very confused, we asked some else for help and found a driver who said he would call our guide for us. I, fortunately, had his number but, unfortunately, no service or wifi. After a three-way conversation between the driver, Prenaab (our guide), and me, it was finally decided that the driver would take us to meet our group. We paid the gentlemen with the phone $5.00 for his help and headed off. Riding in a tuk tuk is quite an experience and the adventure was just beginning. Ten dollars later we met up with part of our group and Prenaab. Our driver for the day was Hosni and he was a delight! His English was not the best, but was a darn sight better than my ability to speak his language. Interestingly, the other two couples we met, at that time, were family traveling together. One couple was from Eugene, Oregon (small world) and his brother and wife from France. Later on, we’d be joined by folks from Washington state so we were a Pacific Northwest group.

Tuk tuks are individually decorated to reflect the personality of the driver. Ours was quite subdued while another was really tricked out. There is also a photo below of the inside of a random tuk tuk.

And then we were off to drive through the teeming streets of Colombo in our tiny little tuk tuk as we darted in and out of traffic dodging other tuk tuks, cars, motor bike and pedestrians. The sounds were such a part of the experience. Everyone was honking horns, the tuk tuks were sputtering, and other vehicles whooshed by. Our driver reassured us, before we started out, by telling us he was a good driver and that he’d been doing this for 14 years. He spoke the truth. We never felt horribly unsafe but it was certainly a different experience than we have ever had!

Our first stop was a Hindu temple, Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil, which is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. This time, we had to remove our shoes even before we entered the grounds. I found this to be one of the holiest places I have ever been. So many people there were worshipping and offering prayers. The scent of incense was all around. In the main temple, men were prostrating themselves on the floor, women were whispering into the ear of a chanting holy man and children were running around being children. As I just stood and absorbed everything, Brian ventured further in and took some of the pictures of murals and artwork. There were flowers and trees throughout the ground that helped create this island of serenity inside a big, bustling city.

Before we left this magical place, our guide and drivers handed out fresh coconut water to refresh ourselves. It was so fresh, it was still in the coconut!

Now it was time for more adventure. Our little tuk tuk safari wove through the busy streets to reach the local markets. These were very narrow roads with small shops squished together on each side. It was mainly a drive through visit, but, we did stop at a spice merchant who let us smell and touch each spice as he explained them to us. Again, I wish I could share the exquisite scents.

There was one very thin gentleman who was pulling a loaded cart through the streets. The sweat was rolling off of him. It truly put into perspective how hard most people in our world have to work to make some sort of living. We are very privileged people. This is the cart below.

Leaving the market, we headed to our next destination and did a little more sightseeing.

It was time for another Buddhist temple, this time Sri Lankan style. Handy baskets were provided for shoes. I haven’t been barefoot this often in many years!

Such vivid colors at this temple. A real feast for the eyes!

There were elephants throughout the complex, both in sculpture and mounted.

Our guide led us to one of the most sacred parts of the temple, a banyan tree. The Buddha sat for seven days under a banyan tree and received enlightenment. People would touch the tree, offer prayers and pour water on it.

It seemed like every corner we turned, there was more beauty in so many forms.

Lunch was next and this was a surprise. My paperwork for the trip didn’t indicate that we’d get lunch provided, so that was quite a treat. We were taken to a local Sri Lankan restaurant for traditional food. The restaurant was quite small and patrons walked up to the counter and chose what they wanted from the buffet. Out guide led us through, one by one, so we could let him know how much spice we wanted. If someone wanted no spice, they were served fried rice and chicken. I decided to be brave and chose mild spice. Evidently, it was Sri Lankan mild and not American mild! So tasty, and yet so hot. Brian ordered even spicier. The person a our four person table who had fried rice said there was a kick to that, too. The food was delicious and the flavors complex, but wow!

That is plant leaves that the food is served on. Our guide told us that the plate of food above costs him $3.00.

One more stop and our trip would be complete. We went to a tea grower’s factory store, learned about Sri Lankan teas and had the opportunity to purchase what we wanted. Some is coming home with us.

We returned to the ship tired but happy. We truly enjoyed our day in Sri Lanka. That night there was a folkloric show in the ship’s theatre presented by a local dance academy. The perfect ending to a very interesting day.