South To Galle

John blogs ...

Buddhist Temple at Kalatura

Independence Day holiday. The team members agreed to meet up for massage, go yachting. John has 6.00 a.m.start to get out of Colombo traffic for visit south to Galle (pronounce Gaul). Stopped at Kalutara Temple on the way – beautiful, busy Buddhist temple. Senake and Ruki place a coin in the box as a donation which they do every time they pass. Breakfast at café in Aluthgama. String hoppers, potato white curry, chicken curry, coconut sambol and fried egg. A fairly hair-raising drive – not for travellers of a nervous disposition – but all drivers are the same.

New wards at Galle General Hospital

Visited Galle General Hospital. RC Columbo partnered with RC Birmingham, Alabama to fund the building of 2 maternity wards of 96 beds and equipment. Shown around by a smiling Director Dr N.W. Waduge and his entourage of nurses. An excellent new facility compared to the original wards. ‘Patients are smiling and doctors are less stressed’ in the clean and bright environment.

On to the Dutch Fort at Galle. King Coconut drink at Galle Fort Hotel, stroll around shops, return to the hotel for lunch. Simple Club Sandwich and fries! Very good.

Senake and Ruki at lunch in Galle Fort Hotel

Return journey stopped at Heritence Hungalla Hotel for cup of coffee. Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, the pool looks like it’s joined to the ocean. Very stylish. Hairy return drive and visited Roger and Neila, frinds of Senake and Ruki, who have just finished building a 6000 sq ft palace. Polished marble floors, high-ceilinged ‘ballroom’. Very nice. Had snack of patties, cake with black tea.

Then to Green Cabin Restaurant for even more food! Egg hoppers, plain hoppers, seerfish curry, coconut sambol and seeni sambol. Tasty, but I’ve eaten too much – again.

Heritence Hungalla Hotel