We absolutely adore Sri Lanka.

You start your exploration of Sri Lanka in Colombo, its capital city. You can spend some time there if you want, and like any major city it will have the best restaurants, shopping and living quarters – if you are actually going to live there. If you are visiting, and are trying to get the most out of a wonderful country, you may want to use it more for take-offs and landings. 

You spend a night’s accommodation in Colombo – most of the flights are set up to land around midnight anyway – and the next morning you enjoy a Sri Lankan curry breakfast and promptly set out on an adventure. 

We stayed at the Colombo Swimming Club – a historic private club from the old British colonial days that was in the midst of losing its privilege when we were visiting due to the government’s exercise of eminent domain. The unfortunate circumstance was forcing the club to move its legendary swimming pool dead center in front of the club facing the sea to its side. And the club was losing a part of its beachfront to a new highway that was being constructed. 

Gauging by the old photos adorning the colonnaded halls of the club, this was quite a pity. But despite the swimming pool of the Swimming Club not being available, the overnight stay was a delight with very helpful staff and a wonderful Sri Lankan curry breakfast served in the main courtyard in the morning. And as soon as we were fed we were ready to head towards the beach town of Tangalle. The club called us a trustworthy cab with a standard flat fare.

ADDRESS

148, “Storm Lodge”, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.

CONTACT

www.colomboswimmingclub.org

ph: +94 11 4 645 220

LEAD-IN IMAGE

Colombo Swimming Club / Official Site