Arrived in the swelteringly hot metropolis that is Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka. Very easy entry to the country with formalities completed in record quick time.

Thrilling ride into the city by Taxi, dodging in and our of lanes and playing chicken with lorries heading in the opposite direction. Quite a relief to reach the hotel, or it was until I realised he had dropped me at the wrong hotel. To be fair it had a similar name, but not what you really want when you've just got off a long flight.

The actual hotel stands on the shore of Lake Beira, and has a lovely swimming pool overlooking the lake.

Needed it after a walk up to the fort where the waves crash in from the Indian Ocean, watched by countless Sri Lankan couples canoodling under umbrellas.