COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (day 88)

COLOMBO is the main city of SRI LANKA (population 2.2 million people). It is geographically diverse, in that there are both vast jungles as well as beaches in COLOMBO. It has a cosmopolitan mix of cultures that come together, i.e. Arab, Singhalese, Dutch, Portuguese, Tysmal, etc...3/4 of the people are Buddhists, 2% Muslim,  15% Hindu, 1% Christian. They have a 95% literacy rate, and English as well as Singhalese is taught in elementary schools. Although poverty is pervasive in the countryside that is changing fast, recently their economy has been growing by 8% per annum. Since independence in 1948, it has not stopped growing. COLOMBO is one of Asia's most fascinating cities

THREE LIGHT HOUSES THAT GREET YOU AS YO SAIL INTO THE HARBOR

A GROUP OF STUDENTS HOLDING AN APRIL FOOLS DAY  BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE RR STATION FOR THOSE STILL SMOKE 

HANDOUTS

BAND AT HAPPY FOOLS DAY BIRTHDAY

TRAVEL BUDDAH AT THE RR STATION

PEOPLE WHO USE THE TRAINS PRAY FOR A SAFE TRIP

(from what I understand the trains are in such disrepair that the people need Buddha's help) 

MUSLIM SHRINE IN A CLOTHING STORE

MUSLIM SALESPERSON

5 MUSLIM GODS BEHIND THE CASH REGISTER IN STORES

THE MARKETPLACE IS NOISEY, CHAOTIC, LIVELY AND VIBRANT

MUSLIM TEMPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MARKET

Like other ASIAN cities COLOMBO has modern skyscrapers surrounded by colonial architecture all around.  

COLOMBO is located off the southern most tip of INDIA.

Tomorrow we will dock in COCHIN, INDIA.