—July 8,

We awoke and was able to WhatsApp with my sister out on our balcony. Just as we finished it started raining–cats and dogs!!! So we went in and did a WhatsApp with Jeff's sister. So good to see and talk with them.

Then Pradeep had our breakfast ready. We had a great Potato Curry and fresh made Roti with tea. We managed 1.5 Rotis each with the curry. So a total of three Rotis out of the six we were given! Still can't believe the amounts we two are served. Anyway, we finished and packed. We left my excess of coffee, and a half of a bag of pasta with Pradeep. He said he would take them. When the rain finally let up enough we loaded up CB. It was around 1100 by the time we said our good byes to Pradeep. He did tell us when we come back to Sri Lanka to give him a call for a room. 

We descended down the “non-road” according to Google. It was the first time we drove down this to the main road and it had more issues than we remembered going up it. Anyway, we now start leave Panwila and begin the final couple of days back to Colombo– we are leaving Sri Lanka tomorrow night! We both have enjoyed Sri Lanka immensely. The way back is downhill, as in – from the  777m (2,549 feet) above sea level in Panwila, to basically sea level in Negombo where we will be staying tonight. It is 135ish km (84 miles) It took us just over 3 hrs, and that was with us taking the toll road for around 24 miles. On the toll road, you can drive 100kmph (62mph). CB can only do just under 90kmph/55mph without shimmying. Not real fast, but just shows how small the roads are and how the-everything-goes-driving slows you down over here. We did enjoy the scenery, when we weren't minding out the traffic, parked cars in the road, dogs lying in the road, etc…. Also we did stop once for a light snack- devilled peanuts, and me a Coke, Jeff a Ginger beer. Thankfully the rain stopped early on our drive. CB did die on us one more time when we were at full speed! That is just scary, but she started back up after Jeff was able to get to the side of the road and get stopped. Don't know what is going on with CB, but she has over 100,000 miles on her. And being a rental these are probably hard miles.

We arrived in Negombo and at Negombo 146, where we stayed 4 weeks ago, just after 1400. We checked in and unloaded CB. Jeff paid for our stay and then did a quick wipe/rinse job on CB. We will turn her in tomorrow! Now we just relaxed– especially Jeff after that tense driving. I did mention to him after we leave Sri Lanka he doesn't have to drive for a month! I don't know if he can go that long!!🤣 

Now we went to a get early supper. I had spied out a place called simply Fish and Chips, and since that was what I wanted we walked there. We sat and ordered – me the house specialty – Oasis Fish and Chips; and Jeff put in his order. Then like two minutes later, the waiter came back saying they did not have any fish. What?🤯🤯Really, your specialty dish… and you don't have it. We decided to leave. I felt bad, but… Questions??? We decided on another one (just about every third building on this road is a restaurant, with every other one advertising fish.)  We chose Human Wine and Dine. They had fish, Yeah! Strangely though, they don't have wine on their menu, practically every other alcohol, or drink but not wine. (Good thing we didn't want wine, but wine is part of the name of the restaurant?) This does leave me puzzled, as in the full furrowed brow, and more questions. BUT… whatever. We did stay and ordered. I had the Masala Battered Fish and Chips with green pea puree (actually a pea mash), savory chips and tartare sauce. Jeff had Black Pork Kottu with a sunny side up egg and side salad. I also had a mango juice and Jeff had a Lion Beer. Both dishes were great and we spent 6,300 Rupees ($20.69). We had a dog come and sit beside us. He looked at us once for a minute, but since we did not give him anything he calmly laid down, hopeful for a scrap maybe at the end. (Jeff and I think density-wise there are more dogs in Sri Lanka than in India. We could be wrong, but it's another question I suppose.)

Back to our room as there are too many clouds for a sunset at all! 

—-July 9,

Awoke and Jeff went and got us yogurt and lemon cookies and coffee/hot chocolate, that was our breakfast. We rounded up; readied; and checked out of Negombo 146 @1030. We went to see Negombo Dutch Fort, as we did not see it before. We parked CB. As we were walking about, we only saw a gate with the year “1678” stamped in it. This is all that seems to remain of the fort. We saw a big St Stephens Church, that advertised English services every second and fourth Sunday. It was not open for visitation, however. Also there seems to be a prison nearby, as we saw a prison bus being loaded for visitors to see inmates. I did not actually see the prison. Next we went to the Negombo Fish Market and Beach Park. We walked all around. There were fish out drying in the sun; and stalls selling fresh seafood of all sorts: from large fresh fish to small critters of the sea. It was a thriving market and many were there to buy. Some fish was looking very good and making me hungry! 

Now we headed back to CB and ventured to Colombo and our “day stay” place near the airport that Jeff had booked. We arrived just before noon at Villa 64. It is a very local place. Reminds me the Mom and Pop motel strips from our Route 66 trip. We were able to check in; Jeff paid; and mentioned we will be leaving later tonight to go the airport. They discussed arrangements, as this place advertises free airport shuttle service. We unloaded all our stuff out of CB.

Now we decided to go on over to “our” fish restaurant, Sea Fish. We have eaten here twice before, and enjoy it enough to come back! We walked in and one waiter recognized us, I think. He smiled really big when he saw us. I ordered the Baked Fish in Mushroom Sauce -'a fillet of Seer Fish gratinated with cheese, mushroom sauce on top, served with roast potato (homestyle French fries) and vegetable salad (a sauteed medley of potato, carrot ,green bean)'. Jeff ordered the Fish and Chips – 'Slice(s) of Modha or Thalapath fish deep frying, served with French fries, and tartar sauce'. I had a mixed juice/smoothie and Jeff a lime juice. It was as good as we remembered and well worth coming back. We recalled the other two times we had been here we were hot and sweaty from walking. But this time we were able to enjoy our meal without having to sop our brow, because we'd driven in CB🥰! Speaking of… we finished and loaded back into CB, for the last time. 

Jeff set the course to Cason's Car Rental.😢 We arrived; I took pics of CB as Jeff found someone to turn the car into. It was the same guy who had checked us in. He looked CB over, checked the gas and mileage gages, and took us upstairs. We waved hi to the other two crew members we had dealt with, as the first guy cleared us and said our damage deposit would be returned. With that we, shook hands, and I shook hands with the other man who did the paperwork side (he was the one who walked Jeff through the contract and gave Jeff his Sri Lankan Driver's License a month ago). Then Jeff arranged a Pick Me ride to get back to our place. [they had let us stay in the office till the driver arrived (10 min).] 

The driver arrived and we arrived back at our place just after 1500. Jeff did figuring and we had driven CB – 2,045 km (1,271 miles) total, her km gage to start-16,3807, and end-16,5852. Jeff thought maybe 39,000 Rupees ($128) in gas. I laid down for a power nap, then caught up this blog.

We rearranged our bags for flying. We are definitely needing to downsize our bag situation! The big one is only half full!! At 1935 we loaded into our arranged car ride to the airport, 2miles; 1945 through immigration/security; 1959 heading to gate, but diverted to a Priority Pass Lounge. 2015 until 2215 we hung out in the lounge, had a few things to eat. Our “favs”:  a good soup- “Singapore style corn and vegetable”, and an eggplant curry- “Singapore Cai Png' vegetable curry.”  Also Cheeses, walnuts, olives and good sweet pickles; even had a decent red wine. 2230 we boarded and took off by 2258. (We arrived safely after a red eye, little sleep flight by 0358.)