Tour of Sri Lanka 2025 | Day 12 | Colombo | 33.7 kms

I woke up early, freshened up, and went to find a tea shop. A local shopkeeper directed me to a hotel around the corner. I ordered a masala chai for 200 LKR and wrote in my diary while I sipped it. Outside, the city was waking up; office workers in formal dress hurried past, some stopping at the hotel for breakfast or lunch. A porridge vendor was just outside. I bought a hot Kithul Porridge before returning to the hostel. On the way, I stopped at Cargills Convenience to buy liquor to take back to India. Then, I got ready and visited the Gangaramaya temple.

It’s just 3 km from the hostel. It’s a Buddhist temple and I see many locals and foreign people already there. I remove the shoes, pay the entrance fees and visit the main shrine. I pay my respects and move to the old arts and collectible room where things donated by several people are kept on display. There is also a stupa in the middle of the temple. I can see young monks taking care of it by cleaning it. I am blessed by a monk as he ties white thread on my right hand.

Thereafter, I leave the temple and visit a similar temple nearby situated on the lake. There is a main temple followed by 2 open temples to it’s left and right. The main temple houses the statue of Buddha. There is also a statue of Buddha under the fig tree in the open courtyard. I click some photos and proceed towards my next place which is the Colombo National Museum.

When I reach there, I get to know that there are 2 museums there. Colombo National Museum and National History museum. The combined ticket costs around 1500LKR. Before entering, I have some snacks at the museum’s cafeteria. I visit the National History museum first. It is divided into 10 sections each of them describe the evolution of life from millions of years ago. Many types of plants and animals are shown which are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Some fossilized remains are also displayed there. In the last section is kept a 65ft skeleton of a blue whale which is really a highlight. I come out of the museum and then proceed towards the Colombo national museum.

This museum shows the various civilizations which Sri Lanka has seen since the beginning. How the early people traveled and settled here in Sri Lanka. The onset of religion. This museum is divided into 15 sections. There are sections about the way of life of people during early years, agriculture methods, items used etc.

Most of the sections show excavated items and remains. There is also a section on the evolution of Stupa designs. Painting evolution in Sri Lanka. Varieties of statues found during excavations. Coins are also on display. Traditional dresses are on display. Scenic paintings done by early British and Dutch people are on display. In a nutshell, it takes me around 3 hrs to navigate all the sections of the museum and come out.

After that, I visit the Independence Day memorial a few kms ahead. There is some kind of function going on. Security forces are deployed. Nevertheless, I move around the memorial and click photos. It’s a huge stone block open pavilion building supported y many pillars. In the basement is housed the museum. After that, I pay a visit to the nearby handicraft store but don’t find anything interesting in particular. Also, they are extremely overpriced.

I then proceed towards the Pettah spice market to buy some spices to take back to India. Nearby, I do some local shopping for myself before heading back to hostel. I pack all the items taken today to be carried to India in a single bad and head to Amol’s home for keeping it. I plan to retrieve it on the last day and don’t want to carry the weight along with me since the trip is still going on. I return back around 9pm, get ready to celebrate the last day of the year and head to the Galle Face Beach.

I go on foot. It’s extremely crowded and it seems like whole of Sri Lanka has gathered there. There are many activities going on. A stage is et where live performances are going on. There’s a play park. I take a long walk around the beach and then return back to the hostel as it’s way too crowded and I am not able to enjoy it properly. So, I head to the famous Bally’s casino to spend my rest of the time and to celebrate the New Year in a different way. I always wanted to visit a Casino and today would be an ideal day. It’s just 3 kms as I arrive in a tuk tuk. I get myself registered at the entrance. They hand me a card as I walk in a open courtyard full of people engaged in playing across all the tables.

It’s jam packed. Poker, Roulette is in full swing. Some people are trying their luck on the automated machines. I am very hungry, so first, I complete my dinner. It’s almost midnight and so we all celebrate the new year. There are fireworks going on outside while inside, we have the dance performances. I try my luck on the automatic machines. I win and lose at the same time. Not interested in playing either poker or roulette, I just wanted to experience the vibes inside a casino. Most of the people inside are Indians, particularly, Telegu speaking people.

Around 3am , the casino people drop me at my hostel. Last day of the year well spent. I crash on the bed on the 1st day of the new year.