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I arrived in Sri Lanka a little past midnight after spending the day in Bangkok. With my single carryon bag, I moved quickly through immigration and customs.
Sri Lanka 2003 - Part One: Anuradhapura, Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
Dougburnett2003-11-25 10:42:07
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Sunday, February 16, 2003
Colombo and Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
I arrived in Sri Lanka a little past midnight after spending the day in Bangkok. With my single carryon bag, I moved quickly through immigration and customs. In the amazingly quiet arrival hall I cashed $50 and then got a taxi to Colombo. I used the stand just outside customs on the right and paid 1200 Rupees. On the way into town the driver pitched me on various services and tours, but I was way too tired to talk business. I just laid my head on my bag and fell asleep.
The next thing I knew 45 minutes had passed and we were at my hotel, Galle Face. It's what’s known as a "colonial hotel" meaning it’s old and has been recently remodeled. It was a lovely place located in downtown Colombo right next to the sea. As I stepped from the cool, air-conditioned taxi the warm, moist air fogged my glasses.
The reception area had a high ceiling and was open to the night air. I sat down at the reception desk - no standup counter here - and filled out the required forms. I asked the smartly dressed clerk if I could get a sea-view room. As I had a prepaid voucher (from Stayxs, the online reservation service) he told me there would be an additional $30 charge. I was only staying one night and figured with any luck I would be asleep in a few minutes, so I declined.
Despite my lack of interest, the clerk pressed on. How much, he asked, would I consider paying? He stared intently at me. All of a sudden I felt like I was in the bazaar bargaining over a rug. "I'm not interested," I told him again, "all I want is a quiet room for the night." Instead of giving me a key, he prolonged the conversation and occasionally asked again what I would consider paying - he wasn't going to give up easily.
Finally, I stood up and asked for my key. A bellboy (well, actually a bellman
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Sri Lanka Gallery
