So, another day and a trip to the nearest city in this south western corner of the country – Galle. We spent the morning and the ridiculously hot middle of the day (we still haven’t got our timings right around getting out early/ to bed early to avoid it) walking the Fort walls.

Wall to wall sunshine! (budum tush!). Fabulous views of the coastline coupled with a lovely sea breeze along the tops but drop down and you return to the furnace of the streets. We practiced our bargaining tactics with tuk-tuk drivers to leap frog us to the station not far away. The trick – know the cost to a local for the journey you want to take, understand that the tourist price is at least doubled and haggle! If you’re prepared to walk away, it may take two or three drivers but eventually one will refuse and then call you back! The system was proved again as we headed home in the evening. Countless tuk-tuk drivers going back and forth along the main road to our destination. Eventually one accepted that he may as well take us for the right price as he was heading that way anyway in search of another fare.

We headed to The Old Railway Cafe, to meet Catherine and baby May, from Sheffield and her husband Rasi. They run a cafe aimed at tourists, Catherine sells hers own designed clothes made in house and Rasi sorts out tours and runs the cafe. Again another great recommendation from Julie and Joan. Both kids wolfed down abundant portions of scrambled eggs, salad and feta cheese and beetroot sandwiches (they won’t touch feta at home!) welcoming a brief spice break. They are slowly acclimatising to the heat and the spicy food. We’re in an apartment here so we can cook for ourselves as well which helps. I love my curries though, so the poor things are still subjected to several detours for a curry feast! They loved meeting baby … who really took a shine to Arlo and he to her.

GoProLess

Looking out to sea from Galle

Hot Walk

The view!

Cuddles

The Waves

Don’t tumble over the edge!

Peeooww

Perspective

Ramparts