Colombo Bashny.Net

50 photos + text. Taken from here

0. When I read reports about Sri Lanka, all unanimously said that in Colombo, the capital, to do nothing. Therefore, immediately after arrival, I went to the south, and the capital did not even look. On the way back, before departure, we have formed a free evening, and I was able to walk around the city a little bit. In fact, Colombo was a very interesting city, where you can safely walk a few days.

01. Colombo - the actual capital of Sri Lanka (the seat of government and residence of the President). Population - 740,000 inhabitants (2001), the population of the Greater Colombo (which also includes major cities Moratuwa, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte - the official capital of the country) - 2.25 million residents. The town's name comes from the Sinhalese «Kola-amba-thota», that is "mango harbor". Arabic, Chinese, Roman merchants visited the Colombo harbor more than 2,000 years ago. In the VIII century BC. e. Arabs settled here permanently, controlled almost the entire sea trade Sinhalese kingdoms. The Portuguese arrived in the XVI century and transformed the city in honor of Christopher Columbus. In the next century the Dutch took over the city, and in 1802 became the capital of Colombo, the British colony of Ceylon. Since 1948 - the capital of the Dominion of Ceylon, 1972 - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. In 1983 the official capital was moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. This photo has no relation to information about the capital.

02. In the suburbs, you can find interesting areas, slums are located right on the former cemetery.

03. Crosses and tombstones perfectly useful in the economy, they are handy to dry clothes, chop nuts and cook.

04. Residents okazalit not very friendly, but if you have money, you can shoot well there.

05. In Colombo there are deep harbor area of 250 hectares, is protected by three malls. Near the port is the business center of the city, called "Fort". The name this area was due to the fact that used to be a Portuguese fortress, guarded the entrance to the port. Today Fort - is administrative buildings, shops, hotels and banks.

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07. Life is in full swing along the railway.

08. waterfront in the so-called Forte. To access this area you need to go through several military checkpoints. Here are the best hotels of the city.

09. Despite the fact that the water is very dirty, the locals are happy to bathe.

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12. Port of Colombo - the largest in South Asia.

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14. Cleaning of fat-fat, the main means of transportation on the island.

15. Tuk-tuk is one of the most dangerous means of transportation around the city, due to the high accident rate and the lack of security systems. Despite this, popular with tourists, as it is one of the most convenient means of transportation for small trips around the city, where poorly developed public transport.

16. At nightfall, many shops were closed.

17. A market work. The most fashionable hats buy here.

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22. From entertainment - bookmakers.

23. Bids are doing basically the races, as I understood them to indicate recording.

24. Bar. Glass bottles need to take. Prices of drink in glass containers commonly called bottles without cost. The implication is that you drink the beverage and packaging will give the seller. When I wanted to leave, I was offered a cola pour into the bag and give the bottle. Almost everywhere, give tubes as bottles dirty.

25. The local facilities are still using antique irons.

26. Alcohol is only sold in specialty stores. They are easy to find on the cheerful company of local drunks.

Oh 27. Local alcoholics are very nice, at the meeting demonstrate knowledge of martial arts.

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29. Almost everywhere devastation. More or less in good condition hotels and temples.

30. Bus station.

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34. Fast food.

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37. During a walk in the local church was a holiday.

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41. "Do you want to see the elephant?" - Asked the taxi driver - "There's an elephant in the living temple was brought, all the tourists go there to watch!" So we went. Elephant was very nice.