NJ joining the seasoned travellers!
Day one is a split log as my day (and a half) was a little different to their’s 🙂
Managed to leave school on time much to my surprise and headed south with Derek’s dog most put out as I was in his seat. Arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare and ate and shopped before forcing myself to sit down before my bank started ringing concerned with all the unusual activity on my account. Jen and Angela you will be most impressed at my bypassing the burger bars and instead eating sweet potato falafel and remembering to eat my 2 satsumas before they got sqaushed on the flight.
Flight was called on time, but we boarded late (I later learned because the incoming flight was delayed) and was greeted by ladies in full stomach baring saris – was interested to see if they had to do the whole service in this outfit. (They did!)
Journey was uneventful except to say I had the nicest lady sitting next to me flying to Sri Lanka to see her grandson who is out here working. She’s on the same flight back, so would be lovely to sit next to her again to find out what she got up to.
The only memorable moment was as soon as the seatbelt lights went off one lady jumped up, opened an overhead locker and a duty free bottle fell out whacking another passenger on the head!
I have to say I was very impressed with the airline, leg room and service despite no subtitles on any of the entertainment (thank goodness for bbc I player downloads) and a veggie dinner and breakfast of curry and the chocolate brownie replaced with a very pink vegan jelly- prob a good thing). So if any of u need to fly Sri Lankan airlines I would recommend them!
Only landed a few minutes late so must have had the wind behind us and walked through the the doors to see Katherine and Jayne holding an iPad sign with my name and subtitle (travel whore) on it. I can just imagine them both giggling to themselves waiting for me to come through the the gates. We went to pick up the car (I am sure jayne will fill u in) and I unzipped the bottom of my trousers and put my flip flops on – I was officially on holiday while jayne filled out all the paperwork.
A short journey into Colombo and our hotel. Problems with the car meant that Jayne stayed in the hotel to receive a replacement while Katherine and I headed into the city to do some sightseeing as we won’t have time when we return before my flight home.
We hopped on a public bus (Katherine being my guide) and strolled (or where possible strode) round the market – the sounds, sights and smells are unmistakably Asian. Wasn’t quite sure what all the items were, but everything was very handily priced so we couldn’t be conned with a ‘tourist price’. As the stall holders tried to get our attention, was confused as to what they thought we would do with the wide range of vegetables they were offering – at least the fruit I could imagine eating as a snack.
We went to visit the oldest Dutch church, the clock tower, the mosque right in the centre of a shopping street and finally trying to find the old hospital before walking back to the hotel along the sea front. 
This was the quite clearly the place to be with everyone out and about seeing and being seen. Even a horse walking along the promenade which got a bit close for comfort behind us making us both jump. 
Got back to the hotel and went straight out for dinner at a place k and j love – was very spicy for me (but that’s not saying a lot) and lashings of ginger beer. A real locals place complete with no women (except us) and a resident rat trying to come downstairs to join us in the dining area 🙂
A short walk home, a well needed shower and an early night as didn’t really sleep on the plane and we have an early start tomorrow.
N (guest blogger)
Saturday 13th February 2016
Trans Travels 