To the capital

Buses and trains have seats reserved for th clergy. I got this seat!
Today I took the bus from Hikkaduwa [Hikkaduwa-travel-guide-585386] to Colombo [Colombo-travel-guide-583234]; it was easier than the train ... I only had to walk out to the hotel gate and hail one down as opposed to having to take a tuktuk to the railway station at additional cost.

It seemed too easy because I got on an air-conditioned minibus within minutes ... only to have it break down after about 15 minutes. Most passengers managed to get into are replacement vehicle but I had to wait.

I smiled at the conductor and shook my head; he smiled back and shook his head too. Soon enough, I was on my way ... it was cramped and uncomfortable but cool. Whereas the train was hot but spacious! Choose your poison.

Once in Colombo, I walked around the Fort area and had some briyani for lunch at a Halal restaurant. Yummy. I deserved a repeat visit so I went back for dinner.

After that bus ride, I was a bit worn so lay in bed and watched TV. Indian Idol was running ... beamed from across the Palk Strait. It's quite funny because I had to guess whether the judges were impressed or unimpressed ... they kept shaking their heads. It is contagious as I end up doing it within a day!