The first thing I notice getting out of the car is how hot and humid it is, a change from cooler Ella.
Check-in couldn't have gone easier! I was greeted by my first and last name. Due to the issue from last night’s hotel I had two separate reservations - one for tonight and one for tomorrow night. They had it all under control! But was confused that I came from Hong Kong but was a New Zealander. Story explained and I'm off to my room. A massive difference from last night, but to be expected given the huge difference in cost.
After getting rid of my bags I head out for a walk, nothing better when you have been in a car for over 5 hours. Very happy not to have to travel anywhere tomorrow!
My hotel is directly opposite part of the Fort walls so I head over and just wander. The sea breeze is heaven and looking down at the crystal clear water I want to get in. Let's hope tomorrow isn't too hot.
I come across the clock tower then the main gate and continue wandering. I wonder at times if I'm in Europe. I'm about to stop to watch a game of locals playing cricket when they decide to call it a day. Buggar.
Early evening I head back to the hotel before getting some recommendations for dinner. The first place I go too everything sounds delicious but they don't have any beer (or any other alcohol) so I order a ginger beer and decide to go elsewhere for dinner. By the time I leave its started to rain so I duck into an art gallery / jewellery store. A pleasant surprise.
The Heritage Inn (another recommendation) is now across the road so I make a run for it, within minutes of getting inside the heavens open like there is no tomorrow. Very happy to be under cover! Now for a drink....what no alcohol here either. Very very bad planning Sadj, tomorrow I'll need to ask that before I actually sit down! I decide on the local Sri Lankan speciality of rice and curry, tonight choosing the vegetarian option.
By the time I'm due to leave the rain has disappeared, and it's actually pleasant out. I'm asked a few times if I want a tuk tuk, no thanks. Absolutely no need when my "hotel" is just around the corner.
Thursday, 2 April I wake early, surprising given I feel like I didn't sleep well at all last night. Between the loud a/c and fan and the piece of rock I'm sleeping on! One more night then fingers crossed it's a comfortable bed!
I head out at 7am for a run, on stepping outside I wonder if I'm back in Singapore as its bloody hot! Finally I can run in a temperate my body gets. There are guys playing cricket in the grass field already. I run around the perimeter of the Fort, at times the only person around, with the sea right there. If only I could go and jump in! After running down the coast for a bit - clearly everyone's morning show - I head back to the train station to find out about the train to Colombo on Sunday. I need a shower and some serious a/c!!
I walk back into the Fort and around to the lighthouse. Such a gorgeous morning. Before finding somewhere for breakfast I decide to wander the streets, it's basically me and the locals which is so nice. I'm loving the laid back feel of Galle Fort, with the colonial buildings and very friendly people. Such a shame I don't have a hotel with a pool as it will be needed today! Instead I'll be walking around slowly in the shade. I come across the Galle Fort Hotel so decide to check their menu - yes alcohol is served, Ye ha I'll be back later on.
I enjoy breakfast under the fans sipping on my iced coffee, far to hot for the hot one.
After standing under the a/c (following a cold shower) for what seems like forever I decide I need to leave the room - it's just gone 10am and already a hundred and one degrees Celsius. There are numerous groups of guys playing cricket now, how they manage in this heat is beyond me.
I slowly meander around the streets, at times thinking I'm going backwards as I'm so slow! It seems like every second person wants to say hi and have a chat. While it was nice to start with I'm slowly getting over it; being nice may get some people into their shop / tuk tuk but right now I'm happy to continue on my Merry little way. I escape the midday heat by having a much needed cold ginger beer - I would have like a massive ice bucket on the side but decided against asking as they wouldn't get my humour.
It's nice just wandering with no fixed abode, and as my trusty lonely planet says it's good to put away the itinerary and just see where your feet take you. For me right now it's to the shady side of the streets :) I look in a few shops but generally it's just walking the streets.
I stumble across a place for lunch and on entering am in awe, there is a lovely courtyard and tables surrounding it under fans. Yes thanks I'll have one of them. Feeling satisfied on a mezze plate I head out to the heat again. This time it's to go straight to my hotel; I can feel my arms are burnt and a couple of hours inside will do me well.
Late afternoon I head out again, while the sun is still out the dark clouds are making their way on this direction. I'm half pleased as it will mean a drop in temperature. I wander around the fort walls, saying hi and bye to numerous school children. Visiting Galle Fort is clearly a common thing in schools around here as I've seen many groups throughout today and yesterday afternoon.
It's coming up beer o'clock so I make my way to the Galle Fort Hotel (there will be no mistakes like yesterday!); before relaxing on the front balcony I check out the hotel backyard (believe me it's a lot more fancier than the typically backyard!) as I had looked into staying here. While it looks lovely the pool is tiny, think half a squash court and that’s probably being nice. Thanks but I'll leave my swimming to tomorrow.
I've got more important things to be doing....drinking the local (Lion) beer. I order a small beer and out comes a large one - hmmm ok, I'm sure I can drink it but….. I did expect slightly better service, and on asking why it's big given I'd ordered the small size (which on a side note would have been more economical to order two small sizes instead of a large) I was told it's because they have sold out. Hmmm ok, seems odd but hey ho. Beer to drink.
I'm hanging out enjoying just relaxing and taking in the sounds when one of the staff come by and tell me I can drink the whole bottle - thanks very much but I need water first :) Two days of no drinking (with very hot days) and my tolerance has decreased. He giggles.
I catch the last of the sunset before heading off to locate the first stop I had last night for dinner, yes I know it doesn't serve any alcohol....it's the food I'm after. I have a nice romantic table for one sitting out under stars. A great end to a lovely day! Within a few minutes of ordering tuna a tuk tuk pulls up, the driver goes inside and comes out with a bucket and three of the staff. A good size fish comes out of the tuk tuk and straight into the bucket. Two guys then pull out a massive tuna, wow talk about fresh!, and carry it into the kitchen.
Good Friday, 3 April, after being awake in the night (so over insomnia!) I manage a wee sleep in....7.20am - wow! Far too hot now to head out for a run so instead I take my time getting up. It's packing day, again! Over that too.
I stroll the streets looking for a breakfast place, the streets are more deserted than yesterday but there are a lot more groups of guys playing cricket. While I'm in a rush to get into a pool I take my time over breakfast then have a last stroll around the Fort walls before checking out. It's been a lovely 2 nights in Galle Fort - I know really want to get back to Europe but right now that needs to wait, I'm off to Unawatuna.
No comments:
Post a Comment