Colombo, Sri Lanka – One day, on a budget – Asia Tour 2017

Our cruise ship was docking in the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka – formerly Ceylon. We had one day and a budget. Here is what we did!

Following Cochin, India was the port town Colombo. As always, we had to hunt down the most affordable Tuk Tuk driver and ask what he was offering in his price. We were told we would visit a beautiful temple, go to the beach and visit a restaurant for a cup of the famous Ceylon Tea. Negotiated price: USD$25 for 4 hours of Colombo, Sri Lanka highlights.

Side Street - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Side Street – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Winding our way in and out of heavy traffic, checking out the city life of Colombo was already interesting. Eventually, after
zipping past a few temples which apparently our Tuk Tuk driver did not see and apparently did not understand when asked to go back, we arrived at the Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple.

Buddhist - Gangaramaya Temple - Colombo, Sri-Lanka — Buddhist – Gangaramaya Temple – Colombo, Sri-Lanka

The temple is an ecclectic mish mash of culture and architecture and is also a museum; many photo opportunities, some antique autos and a holy place of prayer. Entrance fee: USD$8

Just down the road, on an island connected with a bridge (within walking distance), is the Seema Malaka, a gathering area for the monks. It is wonderfully peaceful and here we saw many locals working to perfect the surrounding area. Watch out for monkey and snake handlers, before you know it there is a snake around your neck or a monkey cuddling up to you and a demand for a huge amount of money!

Next, we headed to the beach area called Galle Face Green. Many stalls lined the beachfront promenade selling treats and juices, school children played on the shores, chasing the waves and a peaceful demonstration against outlawing Tamil bullfighting was being held in the grass area.

Galle Face Green Waterfront - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Galle Face Green Waterfront

We purchased a water for USD$1, a bag of popcorn for $1 and some crunchy fried yucca sticks for $1. The locals sitting around were friendly and curious. These prices seemed budget worthy! Please keep in mind, this is not the kind of beach you swim at; enjoy the views, enjoy the locals and eat some Sri Lanken treats.

Truthfully, I found Colombo, Sri Lanka underwhelming and less exciting than I had hoped for; we decided to head back to the ship without stopping for tea. Perhaps, like India, one needs more than a day to truly appreciate the country and it’s culture. I won’t hurry back.

Total cost: USD$36

Next Stop: Phuket, Thailand

Seema Malaka - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Seema Malaka

Spicy Fruit Stand on the Beach - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Spicy Fruit Stand on the Beach

School Girls Play in the Water - Colombo, Sri Lanka — School Girls Play in the Water

God Buddha - Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka — God Buddha – Gangaramaya Temple

Boys on Lake Beira - Colombo, Sri-Lanka — Boys waving on Lake Beira

Yucca Sticks prepared on the Beach of Colombo, Sri Lanka — Yucca Sticks prepared on the Beach

Unusable Beach - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Unusable Beach

Tamil Demonstration - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Tamil Demonstration

Ornamental Depictions in the Gangaramaya Temple - Colombo, Sri-Lanka — Ornamental Depictions in the Gangaramaya Temple – Colombo, Sri-Lanka

Booth, Galle Face Green - Colombo, Sri-Lanka — Booth, Galle Face Green – Snacks and drinks

Gangaramaya Temple - Antique Cars - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Gangaramaya Temple – Antique Cars

Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Entrance - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Entrance

Beach Food Vendor - Colombo, Sri Lanka — Beach Food Vendor

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One Day – Cochin / Kochi, India – Asia Tour 2017

Cruise ship arrival, One Day, on a Budget, in Kochi / Cochin, India. Must see attractions included a Hindu temple, trying some Indian food, the beach with the incredible fishing nets, the Laundry and Jewtown, a jewish sector. Let’s go!

Kochi Street Life - India — Kochi Street Life

We quickly found a gentle young man who would be our taxi driver / guide for the day and negotiated a price of

Only one day in New Mangalore, India? Arriving with a cruise ship? Prefer to see sites of interest on a budget? Follow me!

Roadside Pepper Sales, Children - New Mangalore, India — Roadside Pepper Sales, Bored Children

We arrived in New Mangalore, India with a plan; we wanted to see a few temples and have a little beach time. Upon exiting the ship, we hightailed it straight out of the port on foot, thanking all of the overpriced taxis and tuk tuks for their offers, crossed the main road and waved the next bus down.

Bus Ride! New Mangalore, India — Bus Ride; Love the interior! New Mangalore, India

As we boarded the bus,

Singapore Photos – Asia Tour 2017

Photos from our trip to Singapore including Chinatown, Marina Bay, Marina Sands, Temples and more. Enjoy!

View of beautiful Chinatown - Singapore — View of beautiful Chinatown

Vibrant Chinese New Year Street Market - Singapore — Vibrant Chinese New Year Street Market

Vegetable Market - Chinatown, Singapore — Vegetable Market

Typical CNY Opening Hours - Chinatown, Singapore — Typical CNY Opening Hours

Super Trees - Singapore Gardens — Super Trees – Singapore Gardens

Sun Dial at Gardens by the Bay - Singapore — Sun Dial at Gardens by the Bay

Street Market - Chinatown, Singapore-CNY — Street Market – Chinatown, Singapore – CNY

Street Coffee Service - Chinatown, Singapore — Street Coffee Service

Singapore Skyline from Gardens by the Bay

Shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands Mall - Singapore — Shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands Mall

Old meets New - Chinatown Architecture, Singapore — Old meets New – Chinatown Architecture

New towers above old - Chinatown, Singapore — New towers above old

MRT Subway Tickets - Singapore — MRT Subway – Tickets

MRT Lines, Subway Map - Singapore — MRT Lines, Subway Map

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel, view from the Gardens - Singapore — The Marina Bay Sands Hotel, view from the Gardens

Mall, Marina Bay Sands - Singapore — Mall, Marina Bay Sands

Fresh Ingredients for Street Food - Chinatown, Singapore — Fresh Ingredients for Street Food

Easy Wash Laundromat - Chinatown, Singapore — Easy Wash Laundromat – DIY

Dragon in the Garden by the Bay - Singapore — Dragon in the Garden by the Bay

Decked out streets for CNY - Singapore — Decked out streets for CNY

CNY Day, Closed - Chinatown, Stalls-Singapore — CNY Day, Closed – Chinatown, Stalls-Singapore

Chinatown Street Market - Singapore — Chinatown Street Market

Chinatown Streetlights at night - Singapore — Chinatown Streetlights at night

Chinatown Nightlife - Singapore — Chinatown Nightlife

Chinatown Hotel - Singapore — Chinatown Hotel

Chinatown Hotel - Our Room, Singapore — Chinatown Hotel – Our Room

Checker Board Game - Chinatown, Singapore — Checker Board Game Concentration

Glimpses of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - Chinatown, Singapore — Glimpses of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple at Night - Chinatown, Singapore — Buddha Tooth Relic Temple at Night

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - Chinatown, Singapore — Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Breezy Chinatown Walkway - Singapore — Breezy Chinatown Walkway

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Goa in a Day – Asia Tour 2017

Goa – Tourism, Beaches and great Indian Food. Whether arriving by Cruise ship or by land, if you have only one day, here is how to do it on a budget!

Bogmalo Beach - Lifeguard. Goa, India — Bogmalo Beach – Lifeguard. Goa, India

Most prominently known for it’s beaches, Goa the western India state also has spice plantations and many churches from the Portuguese 17th century colonization which lasted until 1961. We decided to hit the beach and try some good eats!

We negotiated a taxi who drove us through busy areas caked in

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Tag: Cruise Port of Call