As the days went on I think we struck gold with this bar. It is a raised balcony bar/restaurant that overlooks the whole bay and has become my most favouritist bestest bar in the whole world (except maybe Floaters in Galveston but I'm not sure that it still stands after the hurricane hit Texas last year). A 500ml can of Lion beer costs around £2.50 and the food, which are really glorified bar snacks, are delicious. We came back after an exploratory walk along the beach (bars) for a "nightcap", so that was twice in one afternoon. By the time day three was under way we'd been there half a dozen times and were treated like locals, the service superior to that of a regular in the Salmon Leap after 17-odd years. And if you think I make too much of this I have to say that fast, efficient service is not a strong point in Sri Lanka (with some notable exceptions) since nearly everywhere hides a 10% service charge on the bill so an American tipping culture is discouraged. Last night we arrived, duly watered elsewhere, looking for a snack. The place was heaving but a table was produced with many apologies and we settled down to a supper of a Thai-styled hot red curry wanton soup and a stuffed fish (with curried potatoes!) cooked in banana leaves. Unbelievable! God I love this place. GushGushGush!
Here's a picture of the daytime view. In this direction there are loads of beach bar/restaurants. The unusually placid water you see is actually quite rare: at high tide the water reaches to the tables. And the tidal system is weird, too. A single wave terminates at the beach edge mowing down everyone; a sort of perpetual crash zone. We have spent literally hours at the waters' edge at a rickety table clutching cocktails watching foolish wannabe surfers get wiped out. Apart from the crash zone this place is very reminiscent of Koh Samet, the island in Thailand we spent so much time in after retirement. People of all races and ages drift here, and there are quite a few hostels for groups of the younger set. There is nothing else really on the main road except acccess to the beach and the hotels. All the food and drink is on the beach-side of the hotels. So what is a bored tourist with seven days to kill to do but try them all?
5 comments:
Better than the Salmon Leap,can't believe it!Still the view doesn't compare. Bet you'll be glad to get out of that horrible place but do your best to enjoy the rest of the stay.
The Salmon Leap ! Picture went wonky for a moment ! Eek !! However normal service resumed back in bar beach HIc ! Cheers you two !!
Just can't imagine Eric rushing to produce a table, so you can sun yourself on the terrace and read your book. As for charging £2.50 he'd have heart failure.
Apart from that beach looks nice, the crash zone sounds like fun you could start a drinking game betting on who lasts longest, give you something to do.
Good job on the food front, but a bit on how it tickled your palate wouldn't go amiss, bring a little ray of sunshine to these dank,cold,wet islands.
Have you and Passthegin found any local grog yet??
The picture’s very nice .....having zoomed in to see some detail I realised how ridiculous your comment was about how nice the surf was .....you old perv ....LUV it!
Was it taken during the lunch interval at the cricket match?
Now as you know we are not ones to keep up with the Jones’s ......When i hear tales of my old fellow traveller toiling on hot steamy trains, I smirk and think silly old sod, serves him right for going without me. But when there is mention of cold beer, beaches and crumpet (well spotted Gary) ...envy creeps in. Envy is a terrible thing so I have decided to move my office to the aforementioned Koh Samed for the rest the week. Same same as they say in these parts, a large 660 cl ice cold Chang still £2 even at daft brexit exchage rates ...cheers, hic ..
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