Tagged With "Colombo"
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo
Ah Galle Face Green! Many a delightful stroll taken with my folks on a Sunday afternoon in the 1960s, then home for tea at 42 Galle Face Court, the flats opposite the hotel. Ah sweet memories Ouch that seems a long time ago.....
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo
DrFumblefinger your photos are amazing. I can see why you love the country so much.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo
Originally Posted by Mac: Ah Galle Face Green! Many a delightful stroll taken with my folks on a Sunday afternoon in the 1960s, then home for tea at 42 Galle Face Court, the flats opposite the hotel. Ah sweet memories Ouch that seems a long time ago..... I was told the Galle Face Green was actually green until the pope showed up and a massive crowd destroyed the grass. After that it became the Galle Face Brown. The green is slowly trying to make a comeback, though. I actually visited someone...
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Re: July 6, 2018: Sambodhi Chaithya, Colombo
Weird and wonderful . So much more to see than the "usual suspects" when we travel.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
Thanks for sharing this. It's wonderful people like Mr Kuttan that make travel so special.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
I've just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, 'The Uncommon Reader', about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan's serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he'd written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn't it be interesting?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
There are a few people you meet who have natural "Charisma" They stay in your mind and have a effect on you and the way you see the world. You were lucky to have met this man.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: I've just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, 'The Uncommon Reader', about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan's serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he'd written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn't it be...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
Originally Posted by GarryRF: There are a few people you meet who have natural "Charisma" They stay in your mind and have a effect on you and the way you see the world. You were lucky to have met this man. Agree completely, Garry.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Dr. F - A wonderful tribute to a man, a place, and a friendship. The sense of fun and of respect clearly rings from your writing. Thank you for sharing this.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Thanks, TravelandNature! Arthur was a wonderfully kind and sweet man. He was probably the most intelligent person I've ever interacted with one-on-one, but always made me feel very welcome and comfortable with him. We had a nice chemistry between us that I believe we both enjoyed. He was the one who nicknamed me, "DrFumblefinger" and encouraged me to write about my adventures. So here I am now --DrFumblefinger writing about my passion for travel!
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Hi Dr. Fumblefinter, I was wondering if you knew the location of Arthur Clarke's former residence, or perhaps his grave? I'll be visiting Colombo for work next month and I'd like to make a visit, even if just outside of the walls of the house.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Hi Nevin, Nice to hear from you and thanks for your interest in Sir Arthur. Arthur's home is at 25 Barnes Place in Colombo, which is near the popular shopping store Odels. A taxi or even tuk-tuk should be able to get you there. His former business partner and best friend, a SriLankan, still lives at this home. You won't see too much from the outside as it is a walled compound. If you contact the home and come during business hours, it is likely that someone will take you to see Arthur's...
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Re: Beautiful! Bride and her party at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
Is that you I see in the window, DrF.? What's in the bag?
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Re: Beautiful! Bride and her party at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
I'm the one holding a camera. The bag holder was someone else.
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Re: Beautiful! Bride and her party at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
Wonderful series of images from Sri Lanka, Dr. Karl! Many thanks for these highlights of your Ceylon adventure. NM
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Re: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (Where Gumbo Was #218)
DrF, I've noticed in my reading that many travelers to SL spend limited time or bypass Colombo entirely. Can you tell us, please, what you like about the city and, other than friends, what brought you back? If the hotel is as popular as it seems to be, there must be something. Or is the hotel itself the destination?
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Re: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (Where Gumbo Was #218)
You guess correctly, PM, in that it was my friendship with Sir Arthur that kept me returning to Colombo. And what a wonderful experience that was -- imagine befriending and entering the private life of your favorite author! Hours of conversation over tea or juice while enjoying the setting sun and flying foxes, discussing his latest book, etc. Terrific! Colombo's a big city, over 7 million in a country of around 20 million, and has poor public transportation that will only get worse as roads...
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Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo
This is the first in a series of posts featuring my travels to Sri Lanka. My visits to this island centered around seeing my favorite author and dear friend, futurist Sir Arthur C. Clarke.
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Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1b). Visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Part 1a of this blog series discussed the city of Colombo. This post focuses on my visits with its most famous resident, Sir Arthur C. Clark.
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Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo
A historic structure and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombo, Independence Monument was built at the site where the country began its self rule and ended centuries of colonial occupation.
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Seema Malaka Buddhist Temple, Colombo
One of the most famous buildings constructed by famed Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, the temple is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the heart of busy Colombo
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St Peter's Church, Colombo
DrFumblefinger visits St Peter's Church in the Fort district of Colombo. It is one of the oldest christian churches in the country.
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Galle Face Green, Colombo
One of Colombo's most popular public spaces is a park known as the Galle Face Green. Situated on the Indian Ocean, the area is undergoing radical transformation.
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A Ramble through Colombo's Fort District
DrFumblefinger likes to walk through historic areas in cities. Today he shares a visit to Colombo's Fort District.
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Pettah Market, Colombo
DrFumblefinger shares a visit to Colombo's Pettah market, one of the largest in the city.
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Belated Happy 100th Birthday, Sir Arthur!
DrFumblefinger visits Sri Lanka years after the death of his friend, Arthur C. Clarke. The country had changed in the decade since he'd last been there, but Arthur's office hadn't — with the notable absence of Sir Arthur.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 12, 2013: Sunset in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Among the many sunsets I've seen in my life, I'd rank the 30 or so viewed from Colombo's Galle Face Hotel among the best; varied in color and intensity, but always beautiful.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
'Kuttan' was the doorman and official greeter of the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. He'd be the one who'd come to your car as it rolled into the driveway to open the car door for you.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 2, 2015: Indian Ocean Sunset
There are places in the world where people stop what they're doing to enjoy the setting of the sun. Usually these are tropical countries, where tourists sip tall cool drinks beside a pool as they watch this evidence of the earth's...
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May 22, 2017: Weddings in Sri Lanka
It's always fun to stumble across a wedding during our travels! DrFumblefinger shares photos of two weddings he encountered while staying at Colombo's Galle Face Hotel.
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April 30, 2018: Cargills Store, Colombo
DrFumblefinger shares a visit to one of the beloved British Colonial era buildings in Colombo's Fort district, Cargill's store, now closed.
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July 6, 2018: Sambodhi Chaithya, Colombo
DrFumblefinger visits a Buddhist stupa of unusual design, built far above the ground on an elevated platform.
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April 8, 2018: Old Parliament Building, Colombo
The Old Parliament Building, completed in 1930 when Ceylon was still under British rule, was home to the country's parliament until 1983.
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Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (Where Gumbo Was #218)
Gumbo was visiting Colombo's historic Galle Face Hotel. Built in the era of British Colonial rule, it has recently undergone a major renovation and is now an upscale luxury hotel.
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Spotted on the Road, Colombo
You don't expect to see a classic 1950s Cadillac in Sri Lanka, but DrFumblefinger came across this beautiful car parked in front of Colombo's Galle Face Hotel.
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July 10, 2017. Bagpipes at Sunset, Colombo
A dirge played by a Sri Lankan bag-piper and the lowering and folding of the Sri Lankan flag are now part of the evening sunset ritual at Colombo's Galle Face Hotel.