Independence Day in Negombo

Today we did very little. Attempted to organise the Wayanad section of the India tour, and sunbathed by the pool.

Breakfast made Christine giggle. An omelette was arrived with baked beans daintily served in a shot glass.

Then we walked northwards to the beach to see whether the northern beaches were different to the one we were on yesterday. The answer was no. They are all somewhat scruffy, partially because fishermen like farmers are not naturally tidy people, but largely because no beach cleaning seems to occur.

It is Independence Day today, and the locals are preparing for large parties on the beach. Most shops are closed and there is little traffic. Many of the vehicles that are on the road are proudly flying Sri Lankan flags.

We had a good salad lunch at the Bijou Restaurant, a Swiss run establishment. Then walked back to swim and drink beer. It's a hard life being a tourist.

Supper at the hotel was accompanied by the Sri Lankan equivalent of an oompah band. An accordionist, guitarist and drummer playing and singing almost recognizable 60s songs. Somewhat incongruous in a boutique hotel trying to achieve fine dining, until you realise that although the place is aiming at a high standard of style, it consistantly fails because it really doesn't understand what style is. The results are often comic, but at the same time sad as so much effort is being misapplied. Somewhere here is the possibility of a sequel to Fawlty Towers.