Day 19 (last day) - Ambalangoda to Colombo (by bus) & then another bus to Negombo

After my breakfast my host took me out on his scooter to visit a few mask shops, he was certainly keen for me to purchase one, I think he may have been on some kind of commission! Without finding any mask I liked he finally took me back to my apartment. I decided I would purchase one from the shop I'd visited yesterday on my return.

When I was all packed I said my goodbyes to the family that had looked after me for the last two days & headed for 'L.A.R. Nandana' on Sriniketharama Rd. The same man was there who I had met a couple of days before, & I think he was pleased to see me again! We struck a deal & I bought a devil's mask for 3000 LKR.

'L.A.R. Nandana' on Sriniketharama Rd - Ambalangoda

'L.A.R. Nandana' on Sriniketharama Rd - Ambalangoda

The mask I bought!

After I bought my mask, I walked along the main road & soon spotted a bus heading for Colombo coming in my direction & so I jumped on board. It was an air-conditioned bus & the fare was 123 LKR. However, I wished I had travelled by train as the journey took about two & a half hours (the train would have been much quicker).

Entertainment on my bus!  (Ambalangoda to Colombo)

After arriving at Colombo bus station I jumped on another bus heading for Negombo (#240/41LKR), & this took another one & a half hours before reaching Negombo at about 3pm (which wasn't what I'd originally hoped for, especially after leaving Ambalangoda at 10am!) I decided to splash out & catch a tuk tuk (60 LKR) to the north of the town to the area known as 'Lewis Place' where all the hotels were located. I settled for a hotel called 'Starbeach' who wanted 1000 LKR, I asked for a small discount as I told them I would be checking out at 11:30pm to catch my flight home. Eventually we agreed on 900 LKR with a free cup of tea!

After I’d checked in, I knew I did not have much time before it got dark; so I caught a tuk tuk to take me to the nearby Lagoon (150 LKR, ripped off a little!). I took some photographs & grabbed a bite to eat before making my way slowly towards the fish market & finally back towards Lewis Place. Here I had my evening meal at 'Ammehula' where I had a fish pizza & wrote my thoughts on the wall of the restaurant as hundreds of other travellers had done in the past! On my way back to my hotel I visited some of the craft shops, & eventually bought myself some batik fabric from a lovely lady who was more than happy to accept half rupees & half sterling as payment (as I did not have enough rupees).

Negombo Lagoon

Negombo Lagoon

Negombo Lagoon

 Near the fish market - Negombo

Playing cricket in Negombo

 'Ammehula' in Negombo

 My thoughts on my seafood pizza!

I organised a tuk tuk pick-up at 11:30pm to take me to the airport at a price of 500 LKR.

Update, after arriving home:
19 days travelling in Sri Lanka on a budget including approximately 30 bus rides, 8 train rides & miles & miles of hiking! Total spend, approximately £350.

One day I would like to see the east coast of Sri Lanka!