Day Thirteen - Bentota / Maggie & Howard On Tour

Risked life and limb (leaving the toilet) and ventured into town as there is a Monday market on. Walked along the beach for about 1km, passed this lady,

crossed the railway line, literally, and into Bentota mayhem.

As we were assessing where we were, someone came up and asked what hotel we were from. He explained he was a chef at our hotel, worked in the Palms restaurant etc etc. He told us he'd show us the way. It took us a wee while to realise that we were walking totally in the wrong direction and were in the middle of nowhere. He got out his mobile phone and started talking tuk tuk. Eventually we could see the market, on the opposite side of the river, so realised we were safe but had walked for about twenty minutes in a circle. The guy then started talking about a tip. Howard gave him 40 rupees - about 20p - to which he said he'd not be able to buy anything with that! Who got the last laugh?

Anyway we did see the sights. Crossed the wide river via a disused bridge which meant another crossing over the not so disused railway line.

Health and safety, tut tut!

Onto the market which was very busy and very smelly! The smell coming mostly from masses of stalls of dried fish. Didn't buy anything there. Looked around the shops and bought a few souvenirs, things much cheaper here. Howard embarrassed at me bargaining to save 50p off my purchases! The shopkeepers treat it as a sport and like the banter! (I hope!)

Streets are busy with heavy traffic and lots of run down buildings. The shopkeepers come rushing out if they see you looking at anything but don't give any real hassle to buy.

I managed to spend all my pocket money in an hour. Couldn't find the beer store so Howard returned with all his pocket money intact. (Actually it was me that was desperate to find it!).

Uneventful, but hot, walk back.

We did use this pedestrian crossing over the railway line.