| The night had been wickedly hot. We arose, bathed and had breakfast. By that time the ship had stopped and we were waiting orders to go ashore. Whilst waiting, Malcolm collected our mail. There were six letters again for us. We went ashore in small white launches. Everything we touched was red hot. As we neared the landing stage the smell was horrible. However, we reached the jetty, and learned that a yard or so away they were loading some goats. The first person we saw ashore was a Salvation Army officer who had been in Colombo for six years and was going home in a fortnight�s time. We went along until we reached the bus, which was to take us on our tour. It was a real boneshaker. The seats were red hot. There were three natives on the bus, one to drive, one to guard the door and see you didn�t fall off and one to point out all the places of interest. Now we know this was going to be good, because he told us in his own language and nobody could understand it! However, the drive was a great treat. The colours of the leaves and flowers were glorious. We saw the Governor General�s Residence, The House of Parliament and other places of a similar nature. When we had gone a little way, the bus drove into a kind of garden and we found there the Buddhist Temple. Before we were allowed to enter, the natives took off our shoes, and then a guide took us round. I can hardly tell you how beautiful it was � �The Great Buddha� and �The Buddha to Come�, the glorious perfume of the flower offerings brought by the worshippers and then the worshippers themselves. When we came out, there was a tip for the guide and a tip for one who put your shoes back on. The sand was red hot and the flies were pests. We travelled further and eventually came to the Mount Lavinia Hotel where we lunched. This place was marvellous � just like a storybook picture. The gardens were glorious; Gladioli grew 6 ft high in a gorgeous shade of red. At the end of the garden we came to a lovely beach where the native boys were swimming and fishing. The background of rocks and palm trees against the beautiful clear green water was well worth travelling to see. When we again came out of these beautiful gardens, the small native girls � some with jewels studded in their noses, were constantly pulling us up. Others were crippled and were all begging. The women with bananas and pineapples galore were constantly at us to buy. Fellows were pulling at to look at the jewellery and lace being made. We had had quite enough of it and were glad when the bus set off again. We managed to get a snap of a boy who had just caught a swordfish and a woman with her bananas and pines. Off we set again, this time back along a beautiful beach which, in a way, reminded us of the beginning of the promenade at Lytham St Annes, but the sea in England is nothing compared with anything we have seen on this trip. We bought fifteen bananas for one Rupee (1/6d) and two pines for one rupee. By the way, I forgot to mention that when at Aden we saw the native boys who dived into the water for sixpences but not for brown pennies, and then they kept them in their cheeks until they could hardly speak. We got back on the ship just in time for afternoon tea, and did we need it. We couldn�t get back quick enough. There was very little on in the evening, and we were only too ready for our beds. This is the last bit of land we shall see for nine days, and then we get off. |
| Thursday 2nd April 1953 |
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