We docked in Colombo at 7am but it was about 7:30 before the officials cleared the ship so the tours could depart. It is a partly cloudy day and 90 degrees at noon.
Historical/Background Info:
We
were here in 2013 & 2017. Colombo is the capital and largest city on the
island nation of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka lies just 30 miles southeast of mainland
India. The island has a total population of 22 million, and of that, 5.6
million live in and around Colombo. It is the financial center and a popular
tourist destination on the island. Because of its large harbor and strategic
location on the East-West sea trade routes, ancient traders (Greek, Romans,
Persians, Arabs, and Chinese) were using it over 2000 years ago. Portuguese
explorers arrived here in 1505 and established a trading post in Colombo. In
1638 the Dutch arrived and finally defeated the Portuguese in 1656. Then the
British showed up here in 1796 and was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. The
Colonial rein ended in 1948 when they gained their independence. Still today
you can see the Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence in their architecture,
foods, clothing, language, and attitudes. There are many canals in the city.
Today there are high-rise office buildings, condos, and shopping malls. There
are many temples in Sri Lanka as 70% are Buddhists, 12% Hindus, 10% Muslims, 7%
Catholics, and 1 % Christian. Most US clothing brands have factories here, ie,
Lands End and other name designers. The workers in the textile factories make
about $700 per month.
LAST EVENING
The past couple days at sea we have seen quite a few cargo vessels out here with us.
The fried calamari we had requested for our appetizer was very good.
I asked for some cajun seasoning on my ribeye. Not good so just ate my baked potato.
Murphy with my merlot.
Bernalyn is our waitress now after Dara left on vacation. Unfortunately, the crew has to wear masks now.
TODAY
This is the Colombo Lotus Tower, a 1168 feet tall communications tower. There are 6 floors in the base and another 7 floors in the "flower" (bulb near the top). It was under construction when we were here in 2017 but not completed until 2019. It opened in September on 2022.
Shopping available on the pier today.
This is a Buddhist temple.
After our treadmill time we went out to check out the shops on the pier. Mostly cheaply made stuff.
I had a cup of tomato soup followed by this chili & honey glazed salmon with fried rice for lunch.
The ship's internet is being interfered with today by the cargo cranes. Getting it now by not on my phone. Not sure why I can't get it so will have to wait until 4pm when the internet manager returns. I am using my laptop as a mobile hotspot and phone is connected to it right now.
Good news! I had gained 5 pounds so have been cutting back on food. I weighed again this morning and had lost it.
This afternoon Rebecca did some laundry in the laundrette. There are a few things we do not let the ship's laundry do. I am watching a silly movie. We will be sailing again at 4pm for Male, Maldives. It is a long way from here so not arriving until 4pm tomorrow.
Some of the initial covid people were released from isolation today. Our friends Richard & Harvey will be released tomorrow. I think the numbers are going down now.
This is the Compass Rose menu for tonight but we will be going up to Sette Mari after our cocktails in the suite. Room Service will be delivering some pigs in a blanket at 5:30.
In case you are interested in some photos of Colombo, I am attaching the link to my blog post here back in 2013. You will have to cut & paste it to your browser.
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5238249282069659538/5597118077724155420
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