The Muhsin Villa doesn't do charm, elegance or breakfast, but it compensates with a comfortable mosquito netted bed and quietly efficient air conditioning leading to a good night's sleep.
We ordered breakfast at the Pedlar's Inn Cafe just round the corner which proved to be very good but enormous, far too much for this climate.
The morning passed in ambling about the picturesque streets and the two austere Christian churches, one Dutch the other Anglican. Religion doesn't seem to be much fun here.
At lunchtime we discovered rotis at the Mansion Cafe. Thin small folded pan-fried pancakes with lightly curried vegetable and/or meat fillings, very tasty.
Opposite was the intriguing Mansion museum, an eclectic series of collections of erstwhile implements displayed in the hope that the visitor might purchase some jewelry made in the premises. As most of the gemstones for sale are probably synthetic, the visitor didn't.
Back to the air conditioned room for a cool down, then walked to the ultra-luxurious Raj style Amangalla hotel for afternoon tea. The white tea was delicious and cucumber finger sandwiches leant an even more Edwardian feel to the ritual.
A final circumambulation of the old town's fortifications brought us back to the Old Dutch hospital for beer o'clock. Although it was too cloudy to see the sun set, the temperature had dropped to about 28C and it was superb strolling weather.
The highlight of the day however had to be supper. We ate at the Lucky Fort Restaurant where they provided rice and no less than ten individual dishes of different curries to share. Rather like a tasting menu but ample for two people. The curries today were: pineapple, breadfruit, red chicken, cucumber, sweet potato, fried potato, bean, okra, dall and roasted aubergine. Absolutely delicious, cooked and served by friendly people, and you could get a beer too!
No comments:
Post a Comment