Today, I planned to return to the capital city of Colombo from the charming town of Nuwara Eliya. I woke up in the morning around half past five, splashed water on my face, and got dressed amidst the chilly weather of about 13 degrees Celsius. Then, I headed to the Nuwara Eliya bus station to catch a ride. The owner of the Blue Wing Inn, where I stayed in this town, kindly offered to drive me to the bus station free of charge. Even though it was still dark outside (quite adorable, actually :-D), I arrived at the bus station around 6.30AM. After expressing my gratitude and bidding farewell to the hotel owner, I set out to find a bus that would take me to Colombo.
At first, I tried to locate an air-conditioned bus for a comfortable journey, just as the owner of the Blue Wing Inn had suggested. However, I couldn’t find one and only came across the normal Bus – No. 79 by Nuwara Eliya Express. Considering the uncertainty of the schedule and the approximately six-hour journey to Colombo from here (even though the distance is less than 200 kilometers, the hilly terrain, narrow roads, slow travel pace, and frequent stops of the bus made it a lengthy trip), I decided to board it. The ticket price for the bus to Colombo was 280 LKR (around 2.30 USD…quite cheap, I must say!). I paid directly at the bus counter and, upon inquiring, found out that the air-conditioned buses only operated a few times a day, while the bus No. 79 departed almost every hour. It was no surprise, then, that I couldn’t find an air-conditioned bus in the morning.
Bus No. 79 from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo
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After boarding the bus, it didn’t take long for it to depart, around 6.30AM. The bus wasn’t completely full at the beginning of the journey, about 70% occupied, with seats arranged in a 3-3 configuration, which was quite narrow and cramped for a roughly six-hour ride. However, there were occasional rest stops along the way where passengers could stretch and loosen up a bit, so it was manageable. The bus slowly descended the steep hills, accompanied by the chilly morning air, which kept me half-awake and half-asleep. After about three hours of traveling, we began to enter the Kandy city area, and as we descended from the hills, the weather started to get warmer. Everyone, including myself, gradually peeled off their winter clothing, shedding layers of cold protection. Throughout the journey, there were continuous passenger pickups and drop-offs, and at some points, it became so crowded that people had to stand tightly packed together. Around noon, we finally reached the Colombo Fort Bus Station, also known as the Colombo Central Bus Stand, which is the main bus terminal in the capital city. Before reaching Colombo, the traffic was heavy, and the bus station here was extremely crowded and chaotic. For those who visit here as independent travelers, without joining a tour, I highly recommend a “Lite-Traveler” approach. It’s the best way to go because carrying a large suitcase can be quite burdensome.
After getting off the bus and stepping out of the bustling bus terminal, I prepared to head towards my next destination, which was Galle Face Beach. It’s a centrally located beach in the heart of Colombo, known for its leisurely strolls, relaxation, and breathtaking views. Galle Face Beach is situated on Colombo – Galle Main Street, which is a bustling business district in the country. It was amazing to see business district located next to the beach 🏬🏖️
Once I stepped out of the bus terminal, I decided to use Google Maps to check the distance to Galle Face Beach. If it wasn’t too far, I planned to walk there. However, upon checking, it seemed to be about 3.8 kilometers away. So, I made the decision to call a tuk-tuk instead. We agreed on a price of 200 rupees (around 1.75 USD). In less than 10 minutes, I arrived at the beach. On the way, I asked the driver if there were any fast-food restaurants in the area because I couldn’t handle the spicy local cuisine anymore. I wanted to try something less spicy. He informed me that there was a Burger King nearby and kindly offered to drop me off there. Therefore, I decided to have Burger King as my lunch before setting off to explore Colombo.
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Burger Kink in Colombo – 970 LKR (8.50 USD)
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After satisfying my appetite, I felt energized and ready to continue my exploration. I started by strolling around Galle Face Beach. Let me tell you, Galle Face Beach is the largest green space in Colombo, situated between the bustling economic street and the vast Indian Ocean. It spans approximately 5 hectares. Originally, it was used for horse racing, cricket matches, and other sports events. However, nowadays it serves as a relaxing and recreational area, especially on weekends. At Galle Face, you can find numerous stalls and vendors selling a wide variety of food and trinkets. People of all ages, from little red-cheeked children to teenagers and adults, would come out to enjoy leisurely walks and engage in various activities. The atmosphere was lively and bustling with excitement.
The atmosphere at Galle Face Beach was quite invigorating due to its proximity to the sea, which brought strong winds and powerful waves. The beach itself was sandy and sloped, making it unsuitable for swimming. However, the reason I wanted to visit this place was to witness the leisurely lifestyle of the people in the capital city and experience their way of life up close. I was also curious to see how the ocean here differed from the one back home. As I walked along, I noticed that most people were out enjoying the breeze and taking leisurely walks. They were mostly families or groups of friends. There were vendors selling snacks and general merchandise, and I even witnessed some kite flying activities in the open and spacious area, taking advantage of the strong winds. It was a delightful sight, experiencing a relaxing day in the midst of a bustling city.
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After immersing myself in the coastal ambiance of Colombo’s business district, I decided it was time to head to my next destination for the day, and it was also the final stop of my trip. That destination was the “Gangaramaya Temple” or “Sri Jinaratana Bhikku Abhyasa Vidyalaya Temple.” The temple was approximately 1.7 kilometers away from Galle Face, towards the east. However, I chose to walk there because I had enough time and wanted to experience the atmosphere of Colombo along the way. The streets of Colombo had pedestrian walkways, making it an easy walk. Along the way, if a tuk-tuk passed by and noticed me as a foreigner, they would stop and offer to take me on a tour. They would propose full-day or half-day packages depending on their availability. Most of the packages included visits to various temples in the city center. However, I politely declined all their offers as I had limited time and considered the prices relatively high for my liking. With a determined spirit, I walked to Gangaramaya Temple, relying on Google Maps as my guide. 🧭
Gangaramaya Temple was built according to the principles of Theravada Buddhism and served as the first Sunday school of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist faith. The architecture within the temple was a fusion of beliefs from various countries, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and China. Inside the temple, there were multiple buildings that functioned as museums and repositories of ancient artifacts from almost every Buddhist sect, as well as various precious offerings made by devoted followers. It was a remarkable sight, and I had the opportunity to witness a vast collection.
Gangaramaya Temple was open for visitors every day from 6AM to 11PM (though the museum closed at 6PM). The entrance fee was 300 LKR (approximately 2.25 USD).
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I spent nearly three full hours exploring the enchanting Gangaramaya Temple during my visit. Although the temple itself wasn’t exceptionally large, its interior and museum showcased a myriad of beautiful and captivating artworks and artifacts. Each piece was uniquely intriguing, captivating my attention. The atmosphere inside the temple was serene and tranquil, allowing me to find moments of stillness and let my mind and spirit sway with the rhythm of my breath. It was a profoundly liberating experience, a release from the bustling thoughts and distractions that had occupied my mind. I felt a sense of profound tranquility, difficult to put into words. It was a truly rejuvenating escape from the complexities of everyday life.
After thoroughly immersing myself in the splendor of Gangaramaya Temple, I left the temple around 5PM, intending to head to Colombo Airport, located approximately 35 kilometers away from the city. I had planned to take bus number 167, as I had gathered information beforehand. I hailed a tuk-tuk from the temple to take me to the bus terminal (where I had disembarked in the morning). I informed the driver that I wanted to catch the bus on route 167. However, the kind uncle wasn’t sure about the exact location where the bus would stop at the terminal. Nevertheless, he graciously drove around with me until we found it. I paid him 200 LKR (around 1.75 USD) for the service of taking me to the bus from Gangaramaya Temple. Just as we were about to reach the bus gate, I eagerly asked the bus conductor, “Airport?” To my delight, he confirmed, “Yes, it’s about to depart. You can get on.” Without hesitation, I hopped on, and the wheels began turning immediately. The fare from the city to the airport was 120 rupees (around 1 USD), and it was an air-conditioned bus. It was my first and only time riding an air-conditioned bus in Sri Lanka. The journey took about an hour and a half due to passenger pickups and the bustling traffic within Colombo during the evening rush hour. I must admit, I dozed off for a moment and woke up just in time. I didn’t have to worry about missing my stop because the final destination of bus number 167 was the airport terminal building itself. It was quite a relief, and I felt at ease. 😉
The Bus No. 167 – Air conditioned bus from Colombo to the airport
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I arrived at the airport around 7PM with plenty of time to spare since my flight was scheduled for midnight. However, I had intentionally arrived early because I hadn’t bought any souvenirs to bring back for my friends yet. So, I decided to look for something at the airport. Even though the prices there were higher compared to outside, it was still better than carrying bulky items while sightseeing. I spent some time shopping for souvenirs, organizing my luggage, and grabbing a quick dinner at the airport. Around 10PM, Malindo Air opened for check-in, and I knew that on the return leg of my journey, I would have to change planes at Kuala Lumpur, just like on the way here.
This trip to Sri Lanka was a short one because I could only manage to find this much time and visit the places I really wanted to go. It may not have matched the highlights of the country as recommended by tour companies, but I saw it as an opportunity to follow my own path. I wanted to see the tea plantations in the highlands and experience the serene atmosphere of Sri Lankan Buddhist temples. In achieving these goals, I considered the trip a success. Moreover, this was the most eye-opening and mind-opening trip I’ve ever taken because there is no country quite like Sri Lanka. Being a predominantly Sinhalese Buddhist country, it offered a plethora of new and extraordinary experiences in a small island nation that we rarely think exists on our world map. Not only did I encounter various unique sights in this country, but I also had the chance to immerse myself in the reverence of Buddhism, a religion shared with my own.
Life experiences are not sold in the market. If you want them, you have to step out and embrace them yourself. 🙂
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Written by : SHIPY SIWARIT TIASUWATTISETH
Shipy-Ship 