Sri Lanka is an island off the southeastern coast of India.

  I have never thought I would be going to Sri Lanka so I have just very little information on it (actually, just the geographical location and it's capital).  It was a 4-day business trip so my agenda is mostly in our client's office.  I just tried to at least explore some of the areas near the hotel.

First things first... visa.  It's not that hard to get a visa to Sri Lanka, you can apply for it online.  You can also for a visa on arrival.  However, since this is a business trip, I want to have an approved ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before I continue with my preparations.  Tourist and Business visa fee valid for 30 days cost US$30.

There are no direct flights to Sri Lanka from the Philippines so the flight booked for me had a stop in Singapore.  Total travel time (including layover) is 10/11 hours.  Add to that 2-3 hours that you have to be at the airport before the flight.  That would be a total of about 13 hours travel time.

Afternoon of Easter Sunday, I was already at the airport for my flight.  I got out of Colombo airport around 1AM.  At this time, the temperature was at 29C and very humid.  Good thing the taxi contracted by the client is already waiting for me.  It was a 1 hour ride to city/hotel.

Sri Lanka arrival card

I have some free time that Monday morning so I went outside to get a feel of the city.  I exchanged some US dollars for local money.  Exchange rate: PhP1 = LKR3.11; USD1=126LKR

Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR)

I've decided I'll just walk around the area.  A few meters from the hotel somebody approached me regarding a gemstone exhibition just nearby and told me if I have time I could visit it since they give discounts for the day as it is the first day of the month.  Well, got curious and asked for directions.  At that moment, he hailed a tuktuk and told him to bring me to the exhibition.  Ok, so I thought it's still up to me if I'll buy something.  The tuktuk brought me to a small store.  They have different kinds of gemstones here.  The cheaper ones are up front.  I'm not really interested in the other stones, I'm only interested in sapphires, which they said was one of the 'products' Sri Lanka is famous for.  That one is on the inner part of the store.  They explained the different cuts and grade of sapphire.  To make the long story short, I bought one and had it put in a ring.  I paid for it and asked them to deliver it to the hotel.  It is only when I got back to the hotel that I checked on the gemstone business in Sri Lanka and found out that local's approaching tourists regarding a sale/exhibition is common here (some say it's a scam).  I just hoped that I didn't get conned.  Anyway, I got my ring and hopefully the value is really what they told me.

The tuktuk waited for me outside and asked if I wanted to go around and visit a temple.  Since I still have some time before I go to the office, he brought me to one.  The thing is there is a 'donation' of LKR75 per person here and when I was 'paying' for it, they told me it was LKR150 since there are 2 of us.  Yikes! So, I also have to pay for the tuktuk driver.  And since I don't have exact LKR150 and they don't give change, I ended up giving LKR200 as donation.  

And so I got to get around the temple and here are some pictures I took.

An elephant in the temple premises

After the temple, I asked the driver to take me back to the hotel.  Why am I not surprised when he told me I owe him LKR1000.  That's the fee for taking me to a 'tour' around the city (even if I just went to a temple).  It was just supposed to be LKR100 for taking me to the gemstone exhibition and back.  From that time on, I hadn't taken any tuktuk ride in Colombo.

After that less than half-day tour, it was mostly business for me.  I just had time to go to Galle Face ('beach' as they call it) which is walking distance from the hotel.  It's like Manila Bay, where people watch the sunset and just stroll around. They also have food stalls here for those who want to take some bite.

Flag Retreat Ceremony

Galle Face

Galle Face

Sunset by the 'beach'

Galle Face

Food stalls at Galle Face

Food stalls at Galle Face

Kites at Galle Face

City view from Galle Face

President's House

Galle Face Court 2

On my last day, instead of just waiting for a couple of hours at the hotel (for my ride to the airport), I walked the stretch of Galle Face again and further to the Kingsbury Hotel area.

The Kingsbury Hotel

World Trade Center

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

Inside the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

Alas, it is time to go home.  The airport transport came promptly at 9PM.  We got to the Bandaranaike International Airport/BIA (also known as Colombo International Airport/CMB) almost 10PM.  After check-in, I had my dinner at Coffee Bean.  Yes, they got CBTL here.

 After a few more hours, I was off to the boarding gates.

Club Manila East is an easy get-away from the metro to beat the summer's heat.  The resort just a few minutes away from the metro.  Since we're from Taguig area, we took the C-6 route, the road along the shores of Laguna Bay.  

Taguig to Club Manila East via C-6 (from Google Maps)

We left our house around 7AM.  We wanted to get there early.  We got there about 30 minutes later.  They're open from 7AM - 9PM.  Day tour rates are at PhP375/person, kids below 3ft can get in free of charge.  We rented a cabana for PhP1500 (if I remember it right, it's good for up to 12 persons), at least for us to have some private space, especially since we have kids with us.  For those on a budget, they have picnic area (with tables and chairs) available for free.

When we got there we were informed that the wave pools would not be available to the public as there would be a competition in the afternoon.  At least, we were able to enjoy the other pools.  I'm not sure if we're just too early but when we checked, the buzzy river isn't available either.  It doesn't have any water in it. :(

If you forgot something, like we forgot to bring sunblock, there's a convenience store available in the premises.  They also have shampoo, soap, floaters among other things.

And since food from the outside is not allowed inside the resort, there are fast foods you can choose from.  Chowking, Shakey's and Jollibee are available inside.  Not the full menu though, but enough to satisfy your hunger.  You could also try their in-house restaurant (Dona Nelia's restaurant).   
 

Resort Map

Convenience Store and fastfood available inside

Kayak Area

Kiddie Pool

Lap Pool

Giant Slide

Besides swimming, you can also try kayaking (free) or the zip line (for a fee).  We were able to enjoy the kayaks (without falling in line) early in the morning.

Kayak

Zip Line

The last day of 2013's pyromusical competition is my first time to watch it.  I saw a deal at Ensogo and bought a VIP ticket (without dinner) for PhP299 instead of PhP500.
 

Our VIP tickets

VIP with dinner area

 We were there early so we took the chance to watch the sunset at Manila Bay.

Manila Bay sunset

For the competition, it would only be Canada who would be performing.  It started around 8:00PM.  I wasn't able to take some pictures as I'm still adjusting my camera every now and then.  I'm not used to taking pictures of fireworks but this is a good practice.
 

A few minutes after the Canada's presentation, around 8:30PM, most of the lights were turned off.  This is SM's way of joining Earth Hour.

Earth Hour

 

SM Mall of Asia

It was around 9:00 PM when the token of appreciation was given to the judges.  Oh, Randy Santiago was one of them.
 

Then the announcement of winners came afterwards.  Canada won first runner-up.  At least, we saw the presentation of one of the winners.
 

Canada took home the 1st runner-up trophy

 Now, it's time for the Philippines' exhibition.

 

I hope to be able to do this again next year.  I'll make sure by that time, I won't have a lamp post blocking my camera view. :)