Category Archives: Sri Lanka

15th March Colombo

I used to call here in the 70’s, on a small cargo ship, loading cases of tea before we’d move on to the next port or anchorage and do the same.  It has obviously changed nowadays; new breakwaters further out to sea, (although the ‘old’ entrance is still there, the one we used to use).  Container berths make up the majority and a huge new basin, being dredged and built during our earlier calls on the Amsterdam, is now complete and in use.

We had a glorious sunrise as we made our way towards the pilot station.

2015-03-14_0007

Moving between the anchored ships, waiting their turn for a berth, we joined the buoyed channel and made our entrance, berthing at the Cruise terminal.

Overview

Overview

The 'old' entrance

The ‘old’ entrance

2015-03-14_0002

The entrance ahead

2015-03-14_0003

Nearly through the entrance, container berths everywhere

2015-03-14_0004

‘Parked’ and the view ahead. The odd-looking building to the right is a Stupa, or temple.

2015-03-14_0006

The stalls are waiting for an influx, the owners laying their tables with wares.

2015-03-14_0005

The view astern, container cranes await for their ‘customers’, container ships which will berth soon after us.

 

A jaunt ashore for some photos of the sights, the city a short taxi ride away.

The Roman catholic church, circa 1700's

The Roman catholic church, circa 1700’s

The Dutch reform church, circa 1650

The Dutch reform church, circa 1650

One of 20 gravestones still visible

One of 20 gravestones still visible, this young man drowned in an accident

Yellow fever took many, graves were marked with ages in their 20's and many young children.  This one attracted my attention, for he was a 'gunpowder maker'

Yellow fever took many, graves were marked with ages in their 20’s and many young children. This one attracted my attention, for he was a ‘gunpowder maker’

Governors and commanders during the 17th and 18th century

Governors and commanders during the 17th and 18th century

The 'Red mosque'

The ‘Red mosque’

A coconut seller

A coconut seller

A shawl seller

A shawl seller

Want a suitcase?  Plenty of choices here.

Want a suitcase? Plenty of choices here.

2015-03-15_0007 2015-03-15_0009 2015-03-15_0020

Karen and Linda about to hi-jack a tuk-tuk?

Karen and Linda about to hi-jack a tuk-tuk?

Chicken-in-a-basket?  A cobra awaits

Chicken-in-a-basket? A cobra awaits

Or a python

Or a python

2015-03-15_0024

Although a Sunday, most of the stalls were open

 

Ubiquitous tuk-tuk's, (taxis)

Ubiquitous tuk-tuk’s, (taxis)

A Hindu temple

A Hindu temple

And the street in which it lies.

And the street in which it lies.

Beautiful colours and materials

Beautiful colours and materials

We departed Colombo at 6 p.m. and are now on our way towards, Kochi, or Cochin as it was formerly known.  Another port from my 70’s days and on this ship, a far cry from the lovely vessel I command now. 🙂 

copy-cropped-Grant0001.jpg