Day 1 18/2/17
Long haul flights are not my favourite way to travel but all went to plan despite no upgrades being available as business class full...or at least that's what the polite Emirates staff told me!
Started off with a quiet G&T in BHX Aspire lounge before boarding ..nice seats on top deck of big A380. Dubai was a quick stopover and so we had to get our skates on to get ourselves to the opposite end of the massive airport to catch our connecting flight. You know you are in a big airport when you have to take 2 lifts, a train and multiple escalators and moving walkways to get to departure gate. Onto a 777..seats more cramped but we managed to doze some of the way. Does the tarmac stopover in Mali mean we can say we've been to the Maldives? Interesting to stay on a plane and watch the turnaround routine..cleaning and security all very efficient.
Arrived in Colombo on schedule. Amused to see fridges, washing machines and other household appliances for sale in duty free shopping area. After long queues for immigration and then having to collect bags and exchange money (not able to buy SL currency abroad) we were pleased to see Dommi our driver waiting for us. He seems nice and gave us a potted history of islands colonial past and pointed out places of interest en route to the hotel.
http://www.gallefacehotel.com
Galle Face Hotel is a large grand seafront colonial building. Lovely welcome from the receptionist although we were not expecting the complimentary jazz festival wrist bands...and our ocean balcony luxury room certainly had atmosphere with the Jazz festival just ramping up the bass just below us..French doors vibrate along with the band! After almost 24 hours of travel and only cat naps on the plane this was going to be a noisy first night. If you can't beat them..join them! So after shower and change of clothes and a very tasty late Sri Lankan buffet in the Long Room...so many different types of curry or spiced foods...we stood in sponsors VIP bar area to listen to the bands and take in the atmosphere. It had rained heavily earlier but all the best festivals have a bit of mud underfoot don't they?
Rather pleased that the main act announced final songs just after 11.30 so we got a good night's sleep. Lovely buffet breakfast including Sri Lankan specialiity egg hoppers...thin cup shaped pancake filled with fried egg.
Done a quick recky round this very smart and beautifully restored hotel...gym..spa..pool..lots of marble and dark wood...lots f polite helpful staff..and a catapult armed guard to chase the crows away from the Veranda breakfast buffet. .and little chipmunk type squirrels on our huge balcony.
Planning a quiet day today..will take a stroll around local area...before our touring starts tomorrow.
Forgot to say that although I did not succeed in my Emirates upgrade challenge we did get room upgrade...big ocean facing balcony... and a fancy birthday cake!
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