I feel happy

It’s Sunday morning and it’s one of those few days that I can really say that, it is gonna be a good day. Why? – just an intuition. A hunch. An out-of-the-blue feeling.

While Mr. Posner sings Bow Chika Wow Wow (I know it’s an old song already), the feeling hits me – I want to write. While Pumped Up Kicks (again I know it’s still kinda’ old) plays in my iTune player, I decided to write the upbeats of my life and those people involve in it. I am definitely not gonna write about my work – it’s a bummer.

I feel happy. Just yesterday I finished my Comprehensive Exam for my MAN degree to make me a step closer to finishing my post-graduate degree. A day before, we Skyped with our brother in Dubai and we pretty much had a normal conversation. By normal conversation – I’m referring to endless smiles and laughters. Also yesterday, our very good friend was declared an Electrical and Communications Engineer by the PRC – in simple terms, he passed his board exam. Just yesterday again, I learned one of my good friends, a Seaman, arrived here in the Philippines for his yearly off from work. In simple terms, it means food trips and night outs in the city. Just now I read an article talking about love written by my friend whom I thought is numb all these years. And at this very second, my FB prompted me by a message of a very good friend from America just saying hi and how much she misses me – with her usual I-Love-You-s reserved just for me. And as I wait for the result of my COMPRE, my brother takes his 1^st-Sunday Bar Exam. I have the feeling he will pass it.

Oh well, maybe this is not just a random intuition that I feel like this is gonna be a good day. I just want to share the optimism and positivity to readers who might need it. I am just glad that while I have reasons to cry and worry all day, people around me always give me reasons to continue living, laughing my way out in every challenges life throws at me.

Written by Syaoran Pe

Is it Love or Like?

I don’t usually write about my love stories either falling in or out. Simply because I don’t want to shout to the world my love for her nor chronicle how we become the best of lovers. More so, I don’t want to get back to and dwell on those bitter days.

I admit I am not that romantic like what every girl dreams of their knight in shining armor. I am just a typical happy fellow out there who cares much of today and wait the tomorrow to become today to make the most out of it. I am more of a now person.

But this will be an exception.

My friend introduced a young lady through social networking, Facebook to be exact. She is working in the east coast, hundred miles away from me and we haven’t met yet in person. I won’t deny that she has captured my attention. And that means I am spending a considerable time with her mostly through telephone. I think it even falls under limerent state. I was struck because of her beauty perhaps (beautiful indeed) or maybe because of her lovely voice. She is a lady bloomed by love of her family, her father especially. She is full of dream, and one is to have a happy family like what she is having now. She may have some specks of insecurity like all of us but these are overshadowed by her optimism.

Things turned out well for a couple of months or more. We talked about life and love and future plans shifting sometimes the talk about work and family. I read her about life quotes and stories, singing those loveliest songs I know. Simply it was all about her and me. I entertained the big possibility that she is the ONE I have been looking for. Suddenly, things became unexpectedly rough. It was something that I cannot understand even if how hardly I tried. I was grappling for those suppositions which culled during college days. But none of them could give the answer. I was attributing the reasons externally. I never considered internal attributions as I know I was doing the right things. Until I realized one night after a casual talk, on the contrast of like and love, with a 64 year-old widowed who is dating a foreigner younger than her that I may have to reconsider my position. I need to get back to the basics. She figured out the difference between like and love based on her experience. She said that like is the precursor of love. You cannot love a person unless you like him/her. Love blossoms between two lovers if they started liking each other, whether that love is familial or romantic. She however admitted that the demarcation line between the two is hazy which I agree. As our discussion went on, I remembered this article from an unknown author on the difference between like and love:

In front of the person you love, your heart beats faster
But in front of the person you like , you get happy.

In front of the person you love, winter seems like spring
But in front of the person you like, winter is just a beautiful winter.

If you look into the eyes of the one you love, you blush
But if you look into the eyes of the one you like, you smile.

In front of the person you love, you can’ t say everything on your mind
But in front of the person you like, you can.

In front of the person you love, you tend to get shy
But in front of the person you like, you can show your ownself.

Then person you love comes into your mind every 2 minutes.
You can’t look straight into the eyes of the one you love
But you can always smile into the eyes of the one you like.

When the one you love is crying, you cry with them
But when the one you like is crying, you end up comforting.

The feeling of love starts from the eye
And the feeling of like starts from the ear.

So if you stop liking a person you used to like
All you need to do is cover your ears,
But if you try to close your eyes
Love turns into a drop of tear and remains in your heart forever after.

After our enlightening discussion and after going through again with the article, I could say I already fathom the real score. #

The Lion Rock of Sigiriya

Included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list, the Lion Rock is not just a piece of rock but it has a lot of stories to tell. More of this in my post soon.

Reunited in Baras

When friends are reunited after not seeing for a year, the rendezvous brings fun. It becomes pleasantly entertaining especially when two opposing beliefs clash over a certain topic that seems a matter of life and death. And with bottles of red horse gulped slowly the debate heats up becoming more intense yet actually hilarious. No one retreats and wants to surrender. But expectedly for a friendly discussion like this, it always turned out well especially after alcohol subsides and after being realized that it actually does not worth spending much of the time as the topic debated upon is hard to reconcile. Nevertheless it is all about fun amidst the silence in Baras Beach Resort.

Who would expect that they will look like these during the course. These photos paint thousand words.

The four of us, June, SA, Dulah and I, took a time out for a trip to Baras Beach Resort in Guimaras island. Baras is secluded and the best way to reach the resort is by boat. You can take the boat bound to Alubihod, Guimaras from Iloilo city- Ortiz wharf for Php 100. Another way is to cross to Jordan from the same wharf for a boat fare of Php 12, take a jeep to Alubihod at Jordan wharf and then from Alubihod Raymen’s Resort, you can charter a boat to the resort.

Map of Guimaras taken from googlemap. Baras Beach Resort is at the west side of the island (A).

Iloilo City is sinking. View from our boat on our way to Baras.

The three stooges.

Baras is a good place to spend time to relax because of its peaceful environment, far different from the disarray of urban life. Its idyllic location is certainly what dragging people to stay. But amenities are by far mediocre with some rooms not well maintained. Food choice is limited. Understandably because they need to get the supply from the town. Whatever supply they have, these would be the only available for the day. However, you may bring your own food and have it cooked in their restaurant. Generally though Baras scenery especially the green vegetation and the lagoon that is ideal for snorkeling and kayaking would make your stay worth. Resort management told us that they are doing their best to offer the best possible service to its guests. I heard that several improvements will be made for the ensuing years.

The beach front of Baras resort.

Opposite beach front is a stretch of white sand which may serve as resting place after a tiring swim.

A view of entrance to Baras.

A boat on stand by waiting for passengers to ferry back to either Raymen’s resort or Ortiz wharf in Iloilo City.

A group of friends on their way to the opposite side of the beach.

Another boat on standby. Boat like this can be hired for island hopping.

The three of us enjoying the calm lagoon with crystal clear water.

Practice shots while in Baras, not that bad. 

Roaming Sri Lanka’s Sacred City of Kandy

When planning a tour to Sri Lanka, you should not miss to include in your itinerary the historic central part of the country. And one of the places worth to visit is the city of Kandy. Kandy city is regarded as one of the cultural meccas of Sri Lanka. It became the Royal capital of Sri Lanka for almost 2 centuries after it fell from British rule in 1815. British occupation brought significant development in the city. Edifices of western architectural influence are prominent around Kandy. Some of which are now converted to hotels like the Queen Hotel. Kandy is likewise considered as Sri Lanka’s seat of Buddhist philosophy. It is where the tooth of Buddha is kept in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. During the Kandy Perahera festival some time in August, the relic enclosed in golden casket is carried on the back of elephant and paraded around the city. Unfortunately, I came to Kandy more than two weeks after the festival. Kandy likewise is the starting point to get to Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle which includes the city itself, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva.

Other than the cultural experience in Kandy, tourists journey to the city undeniably because of its scenic beauty and a laid back feel. Its topographical location brings cooler temperature at an average of 20 degrees centigrade (just like Baguio City). The cool breeze is conducive for walking around the city especially at Kandy lake. At evening when darkness starts to envelop the city, birds are flocking the trees and starting to twirp their loudest sound possible. They are competing with the sounds of drum beats from the temple that summons Buddha’s worshipers. Night in Kandy is quiet. By 9PM establishments are close. Few people are walking the streets and not so many tuktuks can be seen on the road. Kandy may not be the place for party goers but for those who love a relaxed and serene atmosphere.

View of Kandy, the city and its lake from my hotel early in the morning.

Going to Kandy takes more than 3 and a half hours. Tourists have options either to go by bus, train, or private cars. I took the 1 PM train from Colombo Fort in a 1st class cabin (not really first class) with a viewing room. Fare was only LKR 360 (around USD 3). I found it more safe and comfortable than taking the bus plus a bonus of seeing beautiful sceneries along the way. You may check the train schedule at http://colombofort.com. Private cars are available, even from the airport, but it is quite expensive with one way fare of LKR 3500-4000 (USD 31-36).

In Colombo Fort, the railway station in Colombo City.

The scenic spots on the way to Kandy city.

Getting a vehicle to roam around the city is not difficult with hundreds of tuktuk plying around. A tour of the city is either offered by your hotel or by the tuktuk drivers approaching you from time to time. But I suggest to take the former. Tuktuk drivers but not all may take advantage of you being a tourist by raising the price and/or asking additional pay at the end of the trip. For Kandy View Hotel where I stayed, city tour for one day costs LKR 2,500 (USD 28).

Tuktuk, the primary means of transportation in the city, will bring you around Kandy and beyond.

A day in Kandy would not suffice to tour the whole city. I visited randomly spots in the city and unfortunately skipping some of the more historical ones, like the museums, other temples, among others.

Immersing with locals to experience what life in Kandy is. Before going to Elephant Sanctuary, I got a chance to drop by Kandyan family. Like Pinoys, they also are hospitable welcoming you to their abode and offering a tea while one by one introducing their family members.

Despite being predominantly Buddhist, Catholic Churches like the St. Anthony Cathedral towers the city. The vicariate of Kandy came about in 1883.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most famous religious site in Kandy. Drum starts to roll during evening signaling the start of Buddhist worship. It is open then for well wishers and tourists who would want to explore the temple. (More of Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in my post).

Kiosks line up outside the Temple selling flowers usually lotus to offer during the worship.

Gemstone makers are found in Kandy offering affordable gifts worth the money. The one we have visited is on the hilly part of Kandy and the view from there of the city was really amazing.

A Buddhist cemetery we have passed by on our way to Dambulla and Sigiriya. Catholic and muslin cemeteries are nearby.

After a tiring tour around the city, the tuktuk driver me brought me to a massage spa for a relaxing whole body massage with a price of USD 20. You may have other option that will make you happier, just talk to the attendant.

The Pub is the famous hang out station for tourists and locals alike. I had my dinner at the Pub with a bottle of their local beer. It was a nice treat for my last night in Kandy.

The Queen Hotel

A marker in honor of the Prince of Wales visit to Kandy in 1875.

The Kandy market

The Ceylon Bank in Kandy.

Kandy has a lot of other beautiful places to offer, more to explore. But those are something I am looking forward to one day.#

Visiting Villingili and Hulhule

Villingili island

Apart from the capital, one of the nearest islands from Male where you can witness Maldivians daily living is Villingili island. Villingili is at the west side of Male and going there by dhoni takes almost 5 minutes at an affordable fare of 3 rufiyaas only.

The usual scene in ports of Maldives is like that in the Villingili jetty port in Male. 

Breakwater in Villingili jetty port.

The City of Male as seen from dhoni bound to Villingili.

The jetty port in Villingili island. 

Students walking home after their class. Despite having a couple of schools in the island, most of the residents still send their children to school in Male.

The beautiful beaches of Villingili.

Hulhule island

The reason why I crossed to Hulhule island is to go to Hulhule Island Resort, the nearest from Male where you can have a bottle of beer or cocktails. In Maldives, liquors are only available in resorts.  A gastronomic treat at Uduvilaa (translated as sky among clouds) restaurant on the 4th floor of the hotel started the visit. The restaurant gives a full view of Male and other islands. The airport and the jetty port and the Hulhumale island can likewise be clearly seen from the resto.

The Hulhule Island Hotel. 

Entrance to the hotel.

The Uduvilaa restaurant.

My order of Australian lamb rack with an ice-cold San Miguel beer is truly an unforgettable experience.

Chef’s compliment, spring roll.

View from the restaurant. The hotel’s beach is exclusive only for its residents (top) and Male city (below).

Sunset Deck just outside Uduvilaa restaurant is a good place to capture sunset and view the city and surrounding islands.

Relaxing drinks at the pool to end the Hulhule trip.

Escape to Kuda Bandos

Escaped to this small island lying south of the bigger Bandos, this is what I can say:

Its pristine, azure-colored beaches soothe the restless soul. Its pearl white sand lined up with deep green beautiful vegetation kissing the waves is a perfect place to rest the wandering heart. The cool breeze from Indian ocean continuously touching your body is getting through your nerves swaying you to a deep sleep. And the golden rays from the smiling sun send happy thoughts and reinvigorate you to keep going. In totality, the place is stunning!

Kuda (literally means small) Bandos is uninhabited island frequented by tourists. A tour is usually arranged by resorts for their guests to enjoy a tranquil and peaceful environment.  Kuda Bandos has lots to offer to its visitors which include but not limited to swimming in its clear cool water, snorkeling in its marine rich ground, having a romantic dinner date by the beach with loved one, enjoying a barbecue party  after sun down, or simply sitting down and relaxing with a book on one hand and a refreshing drink on the other, or communing with nature and feeling its energy. Whatever the purpose is, Kuda Bandos is the right place.

These photos are testament to how beautiful  Kuda Bandos is.

Approaching Kuda Bandos is the stretch of white sand ideal for sun bathing, beach game, party and more.

Who does not want to have a life like this? Reading a book in a quiet place far from the hassle of urban life.

Kuda Bandos invites you to go wading into its cool water.

A romantic dinner by the beach awaits lovers here. Someday we will have our own.

I was glad I did not have a second thought spending my afternoon in Kuda Bandos. It was such a wonderful experience putting all the pieces together. Life is beautiful, indeed! #

My Bandos Experience

Maldives beauty is eternal. It captivates every visitor’s heart by its deep blue seas, turquoise reefs, rich marine resources, long stretch of white beaches and green scenery.  It provides a perfect hideaway for an idyllic retreat. It simply is the best.

Maldives has 99 island resorts. One of which is Bandos Island Resort located in North Male Atoll. Bandos was opened in 1972 and was one of the first few resorts in Maldives then. The resort is strategically located with a distance of only 7 kms from Male International Airport. It boosts itself of 225 fully airconditioned rooms  (standard, deluxe, garden villas, beach and water villas), sports amenities, restaurants and cafes, Anggerik spa, a pool, convention center, a mosque among others that its guests can enjoy to the fullest. Bandos is likewise proud to claim that they have one of the best house reefs in North Male atoll. Dive school is available for those who want to learn diving, to see the underwater beauty of Bandos which has 40 dive sites around. Tours and excursions are also offered for those who like night fishing, island hopping or want to experience Male for a day.

Aerial view of Bandos Island Resort. (photos from www.bandosmaldives.com)

Aboard their speed ferry No.34 from Male International Airport, we jumped the splashing waves after the other to get to the resort. At 57 knots per mile, we crossed the sea for only 10 minutes and arrived earlier than expected.

A refreshing drink welcomed us at the lobby. A resort staff then approached us and briefed about the resort- the dos and donts and the amenities it offers. A voucher was given to us for a complimentary 10-minute massage at Anggerik spa. Since my room was available, I got an early check in Room 201. My room is simple yet elegant, and most importantly comfortable. I like the location. It is few meters away from the beach front.

Without wasting my time, I began to explore the place walking to every nook I passed by- beach front, water sports, Sundowner’s bar, water villa. The island is 183,180 square meters, thus it would probably take a whole day to go around completely.

The water was so inviting. I could not resist its call. I took a splash and swim until I had enough. Other guests were likewise in the beach either resting beside the shrubs or under palm trees, sunbathing, or dipping in the cool water.

Come afternoon, I went with a group to a smaller island called Kuda Bandos. It took 3 minutes to go the island costing a passenger 5USD for a round trip. (see post Escape to Kuda Bandos - http://clecstrotter.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/escape-to-kuda-bandos/)

It was already evening when we got back to Bandos. I went straight to Sundowner’s bar and grabbed a bottle of beer before joining the other guests for a buffet dinner in Gallery restaurant.

After dinner, I stayed in the lobby to get connected to check my mails (internet is only available at the resort lobby). I met Jessi, a Chinese resort staff, who has been working as an intern for three months. It was her last night at work in the resort as she planned to return to China to work as tour guide. Asked her for a drink and I was delighted she accepted my invitation.

The Anggerik spa was visited the next day to avail of the free 10-minute massage. The spa has Southeast Asian theme and architecture. Cabanas and villas offer privacy and total relaxation. Services range from from facial treatment to Balinese therapies to Thai maassage to volcanic stone massage to facial and foot reflexology.  Spa attendants, mostly from Indonesia and Thailand, are very accommodating, smiling widely while greeting every guest coming in.

Lunch was at Sea Breeze Cafe. The ambiance is definitely a winner. It has a perfect view of Kuda Bandos. Chin, a Pinay resort staff, I met at the lobby joined me by then. We had a talk about her work experiences in the paradise especially on handling recalcitrant and unruly guests. She’s definitely a good buddy with full of stories to tell.

“Goodbye Bandos, till we meet again”, were the last words I uttered upon embarking the boat bound for Male International Airport. My stay was definitely awesome. It was a break from monotony, an escape from the scuffle in corporate world, a profound  retreat, a  spiritual rejuvenation. Now, I am ready for Kandy.

Below is the resort map provided to guests upon arrival. Also, you may visit Bandos Island Resort website, www.bandosmaldives.com for more information and booking.

A Night in Male

The feeling of excitement cannot be explained as I step out from Mihin Lanka Airbus A320 from Colombo. I can’t believe I’m in MALDIVES!

Mihin Lanka flight from Colombo to Male, Maldives. Mihin Lanka is a low cost airline of Sri Lanka, providing quality services at affordable price.  

Maldives is one of the sought after destinations. It is a  group of island lying south of India and Sri Lanka in the vast Indian ocean. Maldives, known as the sunny side of life and the jewel of the south, is truly a paradise.

It was midnight when I arrived in Male International Airport. There were few passengers arriving, so getting all the docs checked in the immigration took only less than 5 minutes. Tourist visa is issued upon arrival in Maldives, as such there is no need to secure visa before travelling.

Male International Airport situated in Hulhule island. The airport is a modern facility providing an array of services that cater to the needs of passengers. It includes even a shower room to refresh oneself before boarding.

I headed to jetty port right outside the airport to get to Male. Even late night, “dhoni”, Maldives passenger ferry like our jeepney, is still available to take passengers to capital for 20 Rufiyaa (1.3USD). The dhoni was quite fast. Despite the rough sea, it took us only 10 minutes to reach Male. As seen from dhoni, Male seems like a floating castle swaying in the middle of the sea with bright lights illuminating its shores and with its skyscrapers coloring its skyline.

Ferry terminal just few steps from the airport (top). Dhoni, a passenger vehicle cruising the islands of Maldives (below).

Male, the center of commercial activities in Maldives, is urbanized with its entire area almost utilized. Buildings vertically built side by side racing to reach the sky. All roads are paved but are narrowed. Motorcycles are flooding the streets, but cabs are likewise available. Male is crowded with almost a third of the country’s population residing in the island.

The street in Male – parking area  in one side of motorcycles plying the city.

Maldives is a Muslim country. And like other Muslim countries, it is conservative but to a lesser extent than Saudi. Liquors and pork and its by products are banned (except in resorts). It is not a place for party owls who like to booze on alcohols as there are no bars nor pubs. However, restos and cafes are lining the streets if one wants to get a dose of caffeine or to quench a thirst after a long walk around the city.

Nothing is so spectacular in Male, but the stay is worth having found two gorgeous and bubbly Filipino friends, Imee and Odette, who are both working in the city.

Male’s lovely faces, Odette and Imee. 

We made the night  fun, strolling around Male  hopping from one place to another.  We started with a good meal and ice cream treat  in Seagull Café. Then our feet brought us to the Grand Mosque for a postcard shot, and spent a couple of minutes in the presidential jetty port. Imee even asked a coastguard for photo ops in front of the magnificent Presidential palace. We got a feel of the artificial beach at night and ended up in Oxygen bar right in front of the beach to get a sip of their in house drinks. As much as we want to stay to spend the whole night, the waiter politely reminded us that they would close at 2 AM. We call it then, a NIGHT!

Here are some of the many things you may want to do when in Male:

Take a dip in artificial beach – it is ironic but true, there is artificial beach in Maldives. Made for the residents of the city so that they don’t need to go to other islands to enjoy the crystal cool water of Maldives.

Cool off with Seagull’s Italian ice cream – Seagull has probably the best Italian ice cream in town.

Relax in Oxygen – the cafe opposite artificial beach has a relaxing ambiance, ideal to refresh oneself with fruit juice or coffee.

Tour the spots – a visit is a must to the Friday Mosque, the Presidential palace and jetty port, and the museums.

Stroll in Fareedhe Magu for a bargain – a stretch of stalls and boutiques where you can find a good bargain for RTWs, toys, souvenirs among others.

Sit and relax in Raalhugandu – the place is called the Surfer’s point. The best time to visit the place is during afternoon where you can sit and relax while watching surfers gliding over the waves.

Watch the sunset from the promenade – you may not miss the beautiful sunset viewed from the promenade facing Villingili island.

Drink buko (young coconut)  juice –  kiosks along Henveiru park adjacent to surfer’s point are erected every afternoon. Grab a fresh buko juice to get more chilled after a swim in artificial beach.

Visit Villingili or Hulhule island – the two of the nearest islands in Male. Villingili is a five minute dhoni ride from Villingili ferry terminal. You can hobnob with the locals and swim in its crystal blue water. Hulhule island is where the Hulhule Island Hotel is located, the nearest resort for an alcohol sip.

Get a fresh catch from fish and vegetable markets – fresh catch are brought daily in the fish market while the adjacent vegetable market is a place to savor local fruits and pick fresh vegetables.

A Peek of Colombo

It never came across my mind to visit Sri Lanka but since it is a gateway to Maldives, I set foot in a dominantly Buddhist island country, as a jump off point to Male, Maldive’s capital. Sri Lanka’s capital city is Colombo, a bustling city situated in the west coast of the island facing Indian Ocean. Since Sri Lanka is formerly ruled by Dutch and British, it is evident to see in its capital colonial buildings and palaces which now are museums.

One legacy, I think, brought about by foreign rule is the railway system connecting Colombo to other major Sri Lankan cities including the one in my checklist, Kandy. Established by British in 18^th century, the railway is still functioning and accommodating thousands of passengers daily.

A scene from the Colombo Fort Railway Station. People from all walks of life ride arguably in the cheapest means of transpo to travel from one Sri Lankan province to another.

Colombo is almost an hour away from its international airport, Bandaranaike International Airport located in Katunayake. Going to the city from the airport is not that difficult as I expected since approaching the exit of the airport are kiosks of travel agencies offering city ride. The price is expensive with approximately around 2500 Sri Lankan Rupees (28USD) for one way. But a cheaper option, which I took, is to hop in a free shuttle located outside the airport bringing passengers to bus terminal. I took the city AC bus for only 80 LKR (less than 1USD). However, expect less from the AC bus as it is not that comfortable like the one in SG for instance, much more it keeps on stopping anytime picking passengers along the way.

My time in Colombo is limited. I have to contain my stay for only 4 hours. In fact that time, just to get that battery for my Nikon cam is mission accomplished (forced to get one because I left the bat at home). To make the most out of my stay, I hired a “tuktuk” for LKR 400 (around 4 USD) to get me to some places worth the time. I started in Gangaramaya, a temple complex which has a museum and library, in Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo 2. Around the temple are Buddha relics and statues and Buddhist artifacts collected for a long time and donated by its devotees and well-wishers. Even if it is a Buddhist temple, some Hindu god statues like Ganesha are found. Donation to the temple is LKR 100 (around 1USD).

Next stop was the gem store, Lanka Gem Bureau, in 27 Clifford Avenue. I have read that Sri Lanka is famous for its gemstones like the expensive blue sapphire. Getting a piece was worth my limited stay. I learned from the store that they even supply stones to Tiffany and Co. Prices depend on the kinds and sizes.

After getting a good deal from the store, I proceeded back to train station to inquire for Kandy trip. Kandy is in my list, mainly because of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. I went back to the airport at 8:00 PM and ready for the Maldives adventure.

Some tips when in Colombo to avoid being trapped.

1. Show your skills in haggling. Prices for tourists are more than doubled. Most drivers in Colombo, whether of “tuktuk” or taxi, are jacking up fare more than double the original. Don’t hesitate to ask more discounts, or better tell them that the price in others is much lower. The same thing when buying, show to them that you seemingly know the price. If they insist of their price tell them you would transfer to other stores and most likely they will give in to your request.
2. Beware of too friendly stranger and their modus-operandi.  Knowing that you are a tourist, a stranger will approach you, introduce himself as a tourist too and starts to talk to you about his trip in this and that around Colombo. Then he will lure you to come with him to see the city spots. Once you agree, he will waive for a “tuktuk” , direct the driver to visit those places, and when done he will tell you to pay the extremely high fare. They in fact are not tourists but locals who can speak English. Instead of saving, you end up instead paying higher. Mom’s advice, “Don’t talk to strangers.”, helps.
3. Don’t be charmed by the foot-in-the-door technique. Vendors will give you big discounts for your first buy, and then convince you to buy for another item and so on. They keep prodding you until you will leave the store. They know that customers will more likely make a second purchase if big discounts are given on their first buy.
4. Be firm in saying NO to hawkers. Hawkers are everywhere. But be more firm when you refuse to buy from them as they are very aggressive. They keep on following you even if you politely decline to them. Buying from hawkers may end up getting expensive item.
5. Stick to what’s agreed on. At the end of the journey, the driver will demand more from what you agreed upon by telling you funny inexcusable reasons. Don’t succumb to their demands, instead give him the agreed fare, thank him and walk away. But make sure you have the exact amount with you. #