colombo

Sri Lanka is stretching her legs after 30 years of war. How do you build on this violent history, which was punctuated with a bloody end? Apparently, the elections were the most peaceful ever and no curfew was needed. Money is being funnelled into development and tourism is gathering speed. People are taking more pride in themselves and their country - but, of course, the cloud of war does not blow away in one day.

Colombo continues to be an all-encompassing assault on the senses. Smells of tropical fruit mix with motorbike fumes and the laughter of children is punctuated by jackhammers. A walk across the road is like a computer game, as we dodge dogs, bicycles and buses. We get bonus points when a car stops, instead of trying to go through us. I was last here four years ago, there has been an obvious acceleration in development. High-rise apartments and a stadium are being built. We went to a smokey club and listened to local cover versions of 1980s classics while sipping Carlsberg beer. The dancing was an unusual mix of graceful Sri Lankan arm movements and Western leg shaking.

After catching up with relatives and shopping for a few days, we were glad to head away from the city to my father's ancestral property - Wathamulla.

Gaj

We were sipping cocktails on the terrace of the magnificent Mt Lavinia Hotel, when a tropical storm rolled through. The blue sky rapidly became the colour of the ocean.

Families flying kites on the Galle Face Green.