a little bit more of Colombo

Nelum Pokuna Theatre – a walk around South Beira Lake – and a retreat from the heat for lunch at the Dilmah T-Lounge.

Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo

This Buddhist Temple in the centre of Colombo houses the most eclectic collection with a surprise around every corner.

the National Museum of Colombo

About half of the galleries in the National Museum of Colombo are under restoration. There were still impressive objects to see as well as a good selection of ancient Sri Lankan paintings.

It was another hot and humid day, so the few standing fans were welcome stopping points to cool and dry down.

At one stage, groups of primary school children entered the Stone Antiquities gallery in single file, and then left, just as quietly and quickly as they had arrived. I’ve been wondering what impressions they took away.

Geoffrey Bawa’s house – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa was a Sri Lankan architect. He designed Sri Lanka’s Parliament House as well as many hotels and houses. His home, managed by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, is tucked away in a laneway of an affluent area of Colombo and is open for tours.

The house, designed to incorporate natural light and ventilation in this tropical climate, is filled with art objects, including several works by Australian artist Donald Friend. A set of doors painted by Friend now resides in the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The version in the Bawa house is a copy.

a day in Colombo

First full day in Colombo. A trip to the house of architect, Geoffrey Bawa (see next post). The Old Dutch Hospital site. A walk through the hustle and bustle of Pettah in search of the Dutch Museum.

Lunch (curry and small eats in the form of a mutton roll and vegetable pastry) on the footpath of the Colombo City Hotel while we watched the world go by. Iced vanilla tea at the Dilmah T-Lounge – the coolest thing we did all day!

A stroll along Galle Face Walk and a tuk-tuk home.

Here’s a sample.

 

 

 

Sri Lanka: the train from Polonnaruwa to Colombo

In no particular order, some of the snaps of our seven hour journey on the 9.42 am train from Polonnaruwa to the capital.

 

bird magic on Polonnaruwa Lake, Sri Lanka

We moved digs on Sunday. A little further south on the lake at Polonnaruwa. Closer to the birdlife.

On Monday before breakfast, I spent an hour watching all of the activity and attempting to capture some of it from a distance with a 200mm lens. The bird images have had some serious after cropping and pushing to bring them to you –  storks and herons, egrets and plovers, and a kingfisher.