Exploring a Nation's Challenges and Captivating Wonders

Our visit to the resort town of Colombo today presented a stark contrast to our experiences yesterday, where we witnessed the arduous labor of men toiling in the rice fields, their efforts crucial to securing a harvest that will help feed this nation of nearly 24 million people, for whom rice remains a dietary staple.

Prior to setting foot on this captivating island, known at the tear drop of India, my knowledge about Sri Lanka was limited to the news headlines. The devastating 2004 tsunami, triggered by an earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia, left an indelible mark on the nation. Over 35,000 Sri Lankans tragically lost their lives, while hundreds of thousands were displaced, rendered homeless by the catastrophic waves. The disaster wrought extensive damage to vital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways, and power and communication networks, severely crippling the tourism industry – a pivotal sector of Sri Lanka's economy. Furthermore, the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2009 on churches and hotels, which claimed 250 innocent lives and injured countless others, added to the nation's woes. Even today, Sri Lanka grapples with economic turmoil, as our guide revealed - inflation soared by 100% in a single day - due to shortages of food, fuel, and medicines amid the ongoing crisis. Numerous workers have faced layoffs, and the government recently implemented drastic measures, raising taxes by 36% and introducing an 18% VAT in a bid to resuscitate the country's faltering economy.

Given the pivotal role tourism plays in Sri Lanka's economy, it comes as no surprise that we were warmly welcomed during our day at one of the island's picturesque oceanside resorts nestled along Negombo Beach. Our time there was truly delightful, spent leisurely relaxing on the sandy shores, refreshingly dipping into the pool, and savoring the exquisite flavors of a delectable beef bolognese.

We enjoyed watching the unique sailing vessels gracefully gliding up and down the coastline. Each one a traditional outrigger sailing canoe or catamaran, vessels that have long been utilized by local fishermen and for recreational purposes throughout Sri Lanka's coastal regions. While the idea of taking a cruise on one of those traditional sailing vessels was enticing, we decided against it as some appeared rather weathered and dilapidated.

After our relaxing beach day, we returned to our ship just as a rapidly moving major thunderstorm rolled into the area. It was likely the most severe storm we had witnessed in a long time. Unfortunately, buses carrying schoolchildren had just arrived to bid us farewell when the skies opened up, unleashing torrential downpours upon them. They scurried like ants, screaming as they ran back to their buses for shelter.

Much to our surprise, shortly afterward, they reemerged – this time donning raincoats and clutching umbrellas. Their high-pitched voices rang out with cheerful goodbyes as our ship pulled away from the port.