Negombo, Sri Lanka

Here I am safely ensconced in my cottage at the Ice Bear in Negombo, adjacent to the beach, north of Colombo and around 20 minutes from the airport.  It's very nice and there are lots of House Crows and Asian Koels calling here.

Sri Lanka is only a 3 1/2 hour flight from KL and so I arrived early this morning, bought a SIMCARD for the phone and quickly settled in and went out to explore the surroundings.  There is complimentary use of a push bike at this accommodation but I wasn't game to take a bike out before doing a quick reccy of the area hiring a three wheeler to take me to the town.  Negombo is a fairly big town and busy - I've paid a visit to the bank, bought a couple of cotton shirts and some vegetable bhajis and dahl for lunch and am now back.

And have found the confidence to get on the BIKE................and go explore................

I'm having a ball and I think it's a wonderful idea to provide complimentary use of a push bike when you travel abroad.  I've arranged to go birding this afternoon around Muthurajawela Marsh and Visitor Centre, 18 kms south of Negombo and a guided boat ride.  Pick up for my volunteer project is tomorrow morning.