Rosi CornwellSunday 19th January 2025
I was so surprised that I slept in until 12pm. I mean I did go to bed at like 8am. It’s weird staying in a house stay because I almost felt like I had to get up in case the host Steph was worried about me ?! I’m so weird. So I got up and went upstairs, Steph provided me with some very sweet snacks, that she had been offered from her neighbour’s.. or church. She was talking kind of quiet so I didnt fully catch it. But basically she’d be offered it, and then wanted to pass it on to me.
Steph had opened up the downstairs of her house to guests and the upstairs was for her family. She’d begun this in 2015 and said she had 3 guest rooms, and could have a total of 10 people staying with her!
I had a coffee and Steph advised on the distance into town and the beach. Luckily it was an overcast day so I took a walk into the city centre. I soon regretted wearing sandals as the grit kept getting in my feet and I needed to stop every 10 minutes to remove the clusters from my shoe.
It was a scenic walk, seeing herons, chipmunks and the huge greenery all around reminded me of Costa Rica.
It was apparent I wasn’t in a very touristy area, being the only white person around. People were still very friendly and would cycle past with a smile and a wave. I felt the need to buy some more trousers for my visit to the Monastery. I must have panicked because I bought some in the first shop I went in. Although I’m a bit concerned they are the exact colour that the monks wear.. I worry it would almost be disrespectful to wear them.
Anyway I would soon forget about that having bought myself another part of beige trousers. Honestly I need to be stopped. There was a variety of shops along the way, and I had soon made it into a more tourist part of town. Spotting a couple wearing huge backpacks checking a map.
I then met a friendly dog who had a wonky leg and remembered how sad it is seeing all the stray animals.
I then had a successful Pick Me experience, getting a moped taxi down to the beach.
You could tell this was a tourist spot and I remembered that I must buy a magnet. I also realized that the locals were much friendly than the tourists. I smiled at everyone, thinking that we shared the same idea, to be here on our travels. But no. Everyone was so dead pan.
I walked onto the beach through a beach club full of tourists. I thought that the sand was very similar to margate which was surprising. I was asked if I wanted to take a boat trip and politely declined.
I should have politely declined when the next chap started to show me his bracelets for sale, but instead I was drawn to them, and thought they’d make good presents for my friends. Honestly I am a salespersons wet dream.
He said that one bracelet would cost £4.99 which was way too much, considering I wanted to buy 6. He asked how much I would pay, and it was very overwhelming as I didn’t know.. I’ve got Dyscalclia for God sake ( not diagnosed but I definitely do). Anyways he then haggles himself down as I’m proving useless as such a task. And I end up giving him 5000 rupees which is essentially the same price for 2 nights staying at the guest house. (£13.77)
I then get approached by another man. This time someone who genuinely just wanted to say hi, and tell me that he knows London and Manchester.
I was then approached by another guy, Tony who told me he does surfing and watersports. I tell him I’m not in Negumbo for long and am needing to leave to find a drink. He leads me to his beach bar and I have a cool refreshing papaya drink.
I was wondering how much I should tip, but they must have sensed my worry and added a service charge so I didnt need to stress.
I walked back along the road now to continue my acts of consumerism and bag myself a magnet. This little beachy town seems sweet, it has souveiner shops and lots of restaurants.
I’m aware that it’s still fairly early and realise that when I go back to the guest home I’ll just be on my own. So I sit and drink a mango juice in a restaurant full of flowers on the outside. I thought the host would provide meals, but thankfully Amy informed me that she wouldn’t so I set off in search of some dinner. Although I wasn’t that hungry which is weird for me!
I found ‘Sea Joy’ and as my beautiful Nanny was known as Joy I had a look at their menu. I was happy with a vegetable curry and rice. Accompanied with a gingerbeer after my 2 fruit juices.
I was amazed at the meal, a bowl of curry, a bow of potatoes, a bowl of plantain and a bowl of chillies! All for £2.77!! So good. I finished it all, so I must have been hungry. I was alarmed by all the flies, however I’ve been taking gut tablets in hope to prepare my guts and not get sick!
I realized it was starting to get dark, so should make my way back. Not with out being mesmerized by a silky dress on a manakin first though. The girl in the shop said they didn’t stock it and I should walk back to their partner shop. However after not being able to find it, I went back and asked her if I could buy the dress from the manakin. She told me they are in the other shop, and she walked with me. Just leaving her shop unattended. I tried on 2 different colours and it was hard to decide. I wondered should I get them both. Anyways I decided on green for 2000 rupees (£5.55)
I tried to order a moped back because it was a thrill, but they kept canceling because it was busy. I then ordered a Tuk Tuk which canceled and I was beginning to loose hope. Thankfully I got a Tuk Tuk and proceeded to head back. We drove past a cathedral (?) Who were having a festival. It was so colorful I wished I’d walked and could stop here for a bit.
I arrived back at the house and Steph asked how my day was. I went into my room and felt kind of lonely, so decided to cancel my guest house in Ella in exchange for a hostel.
I fell asleep about 9pm… and ended up waking up at 12am. Is this jet lag? I don’t know why but I’m so anti jet leg!
I started to try to replan things so I could go and visit Sigiriya .. but everything is based on getting the train from Kandy to Ella, so wasn’t able to do this as it’s impossible to get tickets at this stage.
I then read a very honest blog about how busy it can be, and felt like I should prepare for a horrible cramped journey.
Anyway, I’d had a great first day walking around at my own leisure exploring Negumbo. The city part was busy and didn’t seem like a place you’d stay, but the beach front was very pleasant and cozy.
I took some Kalms and fell back to sleep eventually.
