Day 113 Sat May 6, 2023 Colombo, Sri Lanka Leave 6:00
I went along with Doris and Louie from my Trivia Team and some other of their friends as a local guide took us for a walk around Colombo and gave us a lot of information about its history.
Old Legislative Building above with lanterns hanging out front. Statue outside old Legislative Building Elephant in front of a hotel. Our guide took us through the markets and we also went for a short ride on a bus with "regular" people.
Lloyd's Building Land fill by China, wait 5 years - then skyscapers!
Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society
These are classic 1960 buildings.
Colombo Port Development Scheme 1850 created this lighthouse.
We saw this young couple and their photographer taking wedding photos.
There are motor cycles stored is this building. Will China buy the building? Will they restore it? Will they tear is down?
Stupa a home for Buddhas or a temple in this case.
Grand Oriental Hotel building site served as a British army barracks and then a hostelry beginning in 1875. There were 154 luxury and semi-luxury rooms. A lighted tropical garden, resident orchestra, concerts on Wednesday and Sunday were some of the offerings. In 1920 ensuite bathrooms were added. Beginning in the early 1950's many changes occurred in management. Tuk tuks look like race cars ready to take off when the light changes. Land fill by China, wait 5 years - then skyscapers!
Outside old legislative building. Whiteaways Building
The original light house was surrounded by buildings and was no longer useful. The old lighthouse is 95 feet tall. The clock in the old lighthouse was made by the same company that made Big Ben. This lighthouse is ground 0 for Sri Lanka. All measurement comes from the lighthouse.
Veranda in front of the Grand Oriental Hotel and stained glass window below. Lions can be found all over town and on the flag. Cargils was the location of a residence for several important people. The current building was built between 1902 and 1906. By 1909, Cargils employed "an executive staff of 32 Europeans and 600 hands". Cargils evolved over time; first supermarket chain in Sri Lanka, processed meats, first KFC, fruits, veggies, dairy, soft alcohol, TGIF, etc. At this time, I believe the building is empty.
Hindu Temple Red Mosque/Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo. Construction began in 1908 and was completed in 1909. It is a hybrid style of architecture. Elements include native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture with Gothic revival and Neo-classical styles. Our guide told us a story that on the day of the Grand Opening, the person who built the mosque (from a black and white drawing) was standing in the street looking for mistakes when he was struck by a tram and killed.
Hindu Temple The bus we rode in We strolled through the market. I hope this man doesn't hurt himself. Chilies in the marketplace. Glimpse of the Red Mosque interior.
Kayman’s Gate Bell Tower in the Pettah district is a symbol of Colombo’s colonial history. The free-standing bell tower was built by the Portuguese in 1554 and later served as the site of public hangings. The crocodiles swam up the canal to eat the waste the fort dumped into the canal. When the Dutch came they changed the name to Kayman’s because of the crocodiles. When the British came in 1796, they destroyed the fort, canals, etc. They kept the bell tower to call the people to worship.
Harold in the red shirt was our guide. The picture above and below is the Dutch Hospital. The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka.
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