35 hours in Colombo

What do you say when a friend asks if you want to get out of town for the weekend?
Yes!
My friend Angie and I booked last-minute tickets to Colombo, Sri Lanka, packed our bags, and took off just two days after she suggested the idea.

Abu Dhabi is just four hours from Sri Lanka, but it feels like a world away: tuk-tuks (open air, three-wheeled taxis) are the main mode of transportation; the weather is more humid this time of year; and the culture is Asian rather than Middle Eastern.

Angie's and my goal was to balance adventure with relaxation, and we managed this goal quite well!

We had heard that the Barefoot Cafe was a must-see. It's a wonderful blend of cafe, gift shop, bookstore, and gallery.

After the Cafe, we wandered the streets a bit...

stumbled across the library

... And found our way to the Gangarama Buddhist temple: 

  

In the Buddhist temple I asked a man about the significance of elephants in Buddhism. He didn't understand my question, but he did answer by telling me about the elephants in a nearby park. So Angie and I set off to find them...

chained up, but cared for

35 hours was just enough time to get a sense of Colombo, but not enough time to see the country. I'd like to return to Sri Lanka to see the beaches, tea plantations, and lush countryside.