Was at McCallum road, browsing second hand books and was pleasantly surprised with the collection. Also, the second book stores at McCallum are where all Sweet Valley books go to die. Just saying.
The books there aren’t exactly cheap, but if you look hard enough you tend to unearth some gems. Found some interesting reads but didn’t buy anything. Kept telling myself that I’d go back but right now I’m sitting here in Delhi wearing four layers of clothing, a hot water bottle and a quilt draped over my legs so as you can guess, I didn’t have time to make that second trip. If you head there and spot a hardback copy of Carol Anne Duffy poems for 350 bucks, please buy it and keep it for me. Thanks in advance or as the cool kids say it – kthnxbai
Pettah
Was in Pettah searching for the elusive pair of perfect boots. Weirdly, found the perfect pair at Odel at half my allotted budget (I’m as surprised as you are) but alas, big feet equals big shoes so I’ve reconciled myself to be perpetually shod in sports shoes and converse for winter. Scored beautiful curtains and tie and dye material though. Pettah, not Odel.
Obviously, we had to stop for achcharu and faluda while in Pettah . The achcharu guy had upgraded his wares. Apart from the Rs. 50 ambarella/pineapple/veralu/mango in a polythene bag he now sells an assorted mixture of all the above in a plastic box.
I like the Pettah chaos and I like that each road is designated towards one main thing. Main Street is for all textile needs and readymade clothes, Maliban Street for stationary etc. I’ve bought the most random stuff from boxing bags to assorted beads from Pettah over the years.
Mount Lavinia Beach
..is terribly crowded. Best to avoid unless you want to
a) be hit by a rugby ball
b) be hit by a cricket ball
c) bump into half of Colombo
d) be proposed to by a very old, very hairy ex-army officer from Pakistan.
Isolated beaches have become a rarity in Colombo. Galle Face is perpetually crowded, as is Mount, Wellawatte and Dehiwela.
Slave Island
Top left: Crabs at Yapane kade. Top middle: graffiti immortalized on the cement tables along the walk away. Top right: A bit of the walkwayStrolled around Slave Island with The Puppeteer and S. Checked out the Yaal kadey – Nothing very impressive there, despite their supposedly delicious food. Friendly staff though; which is nice but not very useful when you’re hungry. Found a well maintained, peaceful path by a part of the Beira Lake with cement benches and tables and all (I can’t remember where exactly this was but we were walking from Slave Island to Crescat)
Dutch Hospital
Token Dutch Hospital PictureI’m really, really liking the renovation of the Dutch Hospital. I love that they’ve retained the original structure and the fact they’ve chosen to leave that solitary araliya tree outside instead of cutting it down.
Wasn’t too taken up with the restaurants and the actual shops though. Who chooses these places, incidentally?
The food at Work In Progress was very average both times I’ve eaten there, Colombo Fort Cafe was closed most of the time (also, since it’s part of the Harpos chain, it rules out the halal factor) and the Heladiv Tea Centre, despite its beautiful interior, is rather underwhelming in terms of food. One thing I regret though is not being able to check out Ministry of Crab – tried getting a reservation but they were booked both times. Next time, hopefully. I’ve been hearing good things about the food there.
Galle Face, Lighthouse and adjoining Temple
Bottom left: Temple. Top left: View from the temple Bottom right: Very crowded pier at Galle Face Middle: Prawn KottuDid you know there was a restaurant near the lighthouse on Galle Face? I didn’t. It’s called the Lighthouse Galley and its run by the Navy (I think). I can’t vouch for the food (it was completely full when we went and we were too hungry to wait) but the prices look decent enough and it’s a nice, little open air restaurant overlooking the lighthouse. Here’s their site.
If you walk further on past the lighthouse (you can’t take pictures of the lighthouse and the surrounding Navy quarters incidentally), you come across a temple about 11 stories high. It sounds cumbersome, but climbing to the top really isn’t too bad. The temple itself is quite ordinary but the view across the Colombo Harbour and around is amazing.
Galle Face was packed. The kottu was delish. Was too full for the usual isso vadai.
Beira Lake
The bridge leading to the little island in the middle is closed by 8. It’s a very random island actually – peppered with kids and canoodling couples. The bridge leading to it is a little rickety. If you shake it adequately enough, it’s like being on a suspension bridge. Loved the seasonal lights draped all over the bridge and the island. One day, I will ride on a swan boat. One day.
It was nice revisiting parts of Colombo and wandering around. Wanted to check out the Dutch Museum (Or is it a church?) in Fort, more second hand book stores, the Yaal Kadey on Station Road and the National Museum (the last time I went was about 8 years back) but before I knew it, it was time to head back. Suggestions for new places next time will be very welcome
