We were supposed to have a relaxing morning and then make our leisurely way down to Tangalle but we were both up and going very early and Rose got impatient, so after our last enormous and delicious breakfast with our hovering hosts, we asked for our driver to come early and he arrived at 10.30 in a tiny car that was just one step above a Tuk Tuk. We had said no air con because it’s cheaper but this was ridiculous. Our cases occupied the front seat and we jammed in the back. Rose had a seat belt this time but none on my side.!! These drives are definitely not for the faint hearted, but we both have steely hearts that are getting steelier each time we set out.
We came down to the coast to Tangalle. Now this is the hotel we changed at the last minute after feedback that the seas are rough and monsoonal so we decided we wanted a pool to make sure we got a few swims in before returning to winter. So we booked into the Coco Tangalle. Our compromise because it was more expensive was to only book one room.
But WOW, it is a fantastic old colonial home and we soon discovered we are the only people here so we asked about getting a second room at a discounted price. So…we now have a room each, the second at half price. My room is the ‘king coco suite’ which is MASSIVE with my own gorgeous balcony overlooking the pool and the ocean ( which is indeed thundering), My bathroom is the same size again with a palm tree growing out the roof in the middle of it…I’ll send a photo or you won’t believe it.
The first thing we did, of course, was don the bathers and head for the pool. A few swims and a drink and some wedges by the pool set the world right (not that it’s been wrong). I’m now sitting out on my balcony while Rose is luxuriating in a shower.
Our little bottle of gin has come in handy as we got some tonic and enjoyed our time watching the waves roll in and the monkeys (monkey actually) eating fruit from the ? mango tree just in front of us. We are now waiting to go in for dinner. We’re starving and the smells emanating from the kitchen are pretty good. It will cost us but its hard to avoid when you’re staying in a place like this!!
We are now just back from our most amazing and delicious meal. I had beautiful fresh tuna and Rose chicken, both cooked to perfection and utterly lovely. There is no doubt that this is our best effort yet. And to top it off they provided a complementary bottle of really nice white wine (when you know how much wine cost us in this country that is exceptional).
After a most yummy meal back to our rooms to find our beds covered in frangipani petals and the bed prepared for the night. They just can’t do enough for us…now we start to worry about what we should tip them…It’s off to bed now. I just need to remove my petals!