First time visit to Sri Lanka. Staying at the Cinnamon Hotel in Colombo. They drive on the left-handside of the road, people signal when changing lanes...it's a hint of home with a mixture of road rage and madness for good measure. Delightfully sunny and for a decent lunchtime meal you could do far worse than trying the set menu at the Hotel Renuka (on Galle Road).

Had first ever Japanese meal, including but not limited to sushi and saki, at the Nihonbashi restaurant (Galle Face Terrace). Cocktail as the sunset at Galle Face, where the deceased Japanese emperor Hirohito once stayed, as did former British Prime Minister Edward Heath (also equally deceased), whilst an out-of-place karaoke-style machine blurted out sounds from The Blues Brothers!! Went to scientist / novelist Arthur C. Clarke's house but was prohibited from taking a picture. Shopped in a number of places but particularly in Majestic City where dvd's a dirt cheap. Wandered about the Independant Memorial Hall and sauntered through the park once known as Victoria Park. Can't wait to come back and actually get a day off here so that I can really explore and haggle with the rick-shaw drivers all over again!