Ayobowan. Given time to grow, the scratchiest beard softens.

Colombo

Arrived early this morning. Immigration uneventful. Ashan and Lauren waiting. Off to the Hilton. Felt my eyes rehydrate and curls wake up in surprise of humidity. Check-in. Idlis for breakfast. Off to see some sights.

Independence Square, Ashan’s Royal College & Sports Club, bank to change some money, back to the hotel for a lie by the pool in one of those bed cabanas and some laps.

Made friends with fat Punjabi munde (Surdi, Happy Feet and Tanvir). Drank an LIT (that’s wot the kool kids in India call it) and got mocked for my gripping control of the Punjabi language.

Napped from 4 to 8 pm so missed sunset but then feasted on a lovely dinner buffet at the hotel on fresh crabs in pepper sauce, coconut fish curry, roomali egg rotis, all made to order, finished with Bombay Halwa and chocolate pudding and nice Shiraz. Cool breezes from the Indian Ocean, Sri Lankan mariachi band (playing Dad’s favorite song about the girl he left in Kingston Town) who sang in proper Spanish and very good wait staff.

I love good service. You forget about that when you’re in the US for so long.

Money in large denominations here – got SLR 24,000 for my $200. Wonder where to spend it all… Shall hold out for nice souvenirs. Got a postcard for Black Cobra.

Fell asleep watching South Africa vs. Australia one-day on Ten Cricket, listening to the sound of the ocean and the occasional firecracker. View of the Ocean from my bed is phenomenal. Take my advice, always coff up for the good rooms. Makes you feel rum waking up to water.

Life is starting to look good again. Feel a tickle in my throat though.