Negombo, Sri Lanka

After an early start followed by a fish curry breakfast 4 odd hours later we fly into the Emerald isle, Sri Lanka.  the flight is one that will stick with us for a long while.  At one point there were more people standing than sitting.  the main cause seemed to be filling out the standing emigration form that needed completing prior to landing.  We got the feeling that only a handful of passengers could complete the such a form and 2 of those passengers were me and Doris.

Then appeared the duty free trolley, now I know the Brits are champion at queuing but these fellas pitched up pretty high as 15/20 formed a queue in the central isle, then the haggling started for 'best price' of course.  We could only guess that their time in the emirates as been at dry as our was.

Then we land and the whole routine of standing up starts all over, way before the stewards even think about the seltbelt signs switching off.  Happy days like these hey!

For the last few days we have been chillin the breeze within Negombo, enjoying the local curry.

We met a chap on the beach, a local called Fernando who said he would take us on a tour of the area.  We walked along the beach, north of Negombo, which was affected by the tsunami.  Along the beach front there were many piles of bricks that would have been houses.  Our hotel lost its restaurant, pool and reception area.  Just off the beachfront many people live in township style housing, with no running water, just a standpipe in the road that is only on 2 hours per day and no toilet - Apparently Fernando stated that they use the sea. He also commented that within 10 years the local government are looking to remove all residents from such appalling conditions. We walked further inland and passed a church that was under renovation, having a new tin roof! 
We moved onto the fish market which was amazing (so was the smell!) a sight we never would have seen as lone tourists.  Through the gutting area.  Ladies then covered the fish in salt and placed in drums in the sun for a few days.

Large sheets lay in the sun with thousands of different types of fish drying in the sun for up to 4 days. 

Nothing is wasted, the bones are ground down and sold for animal feed.  All done under pretty hard conditions, mega fly problem!  But really fascinating to a couple of outsiders.  Then onto the fish market, but a remarkably no smell.  Every fish you could think off was being sold for best price.  Locals and traders all haggling for the best fish at the best price.  Then we hit Negumbo high street, now this was busy.  Everything and anything could be bought here from car parts to flipflops.  As for heat increased we jumped in a tuk-tuk to head back to the hotel feeling rather humbled. 

Tomorrow we move onto Kandy, for some inland action.