76 Trombones in the Big Parade

Sri Lanka has amazed us. Like India in many ways, but yet, completely different, it is endlesslesly surprising and mesmerising. We were wandering along the battered but still formidable ramparts of Galle Fort when what should we behold gaily striding down the street before our very amazed gazes but this.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being in Sri Lanka

Travelling through Asia and the subcontinent is at times challenging. Sri Lanka is simply charming. No curbside piles of rubbish, no strident claxxoning of horns, no olfactory assaults, – a gentler, more relaxing paradise on all counts. Pillows that you sink into unconsciousness gratefully. Towels with a fluff-factor off the scale. I understand why this […]

Délices d’Architecture: Galle Sri Lanka

Galle Fort is a beautiful UNESCO heritage listed town on the south-western coast of Sri Lanka, built first by the Portuguese and then fortified by the Dutch. (Those Dutch certainly knew how to build ramparts! These provide a spectacular passagiata as the sun sets, the lizards, crows, magpies and colourful tourists come out.) Galle features […]

Sri Lankan Food

Sri Lankan Dhal Curry (Parippu): Sri Lankan dhal is thick, a perfectly cooked balance of of mash and lentils, a serendipitous blend of spices in coconut milk with a kick of chili to make it interesting. Fresh curd and kithul treacle (made from jaggery). The curd (Buffalo milk) is rich, creamy and delicious – yoghurt […]

Abra-crab-dabra: The Ministry of Crab, Colombo

There is only one dish I’ll get down and dirty for and that is Crab. Bill on the other hand can’t understand all the fuss – but generously indulged me (once again). The Ministry of Crab – think of it as Crab Mecca. It is a strange joint. There’s a pub next door with a […]

Howzat ?

A sunny afternoon in Galle and the young men grab their willows and their whites and head past the lighthouse onto the strip of green by the ramparts for a game of cricket. The young men look on admiringly As do the birds The bowler hurtles towards the pitch and unleashes a thunderbolt in an […]

A Preliminary Peek Down South

My darling wife clicked the heels of her ruby red slippers and transported herself back to Oz for a fortnight, leaving me languishing without her. I had to get out of the country too, in line with some guff about only being allowed to stay in the country for 90 days at a time despite […]