We finally got up and packed about 6:30 am. The rest-house was nearly in the center of town, although that isn’t saying much as that was a small place. We walked into a Muslim shop for quick eats and tea for breakfast. Then, we had to wait about 45 minutes for the bus to deliver people to the port and pick us up on the way back to Negombo. The bus was a little bigger than those we took yesterday. The seats were a little more comfortable. The trip back was quicker as it was uninterrupted. It still took four hours though. We got on the bus for Minuwangoda directly but it took at least 15 minutes before it was full and actually on its way.
The last bit had me crushed between the window, Jay, and the dozens of people standing in the aisle. My backpack was on my lap. I was hot, thirsty, and still coughing a little. The 40 minute ride seemed more like 40 hours. We’d come down a quarter of the coastline for about $1.50 but there are times when one gets what one pays for. I would’ve forked out ten times more for a trip which wasn’t so tiring.
After six glasses of liquids, a great lunch, a shower, the seeming struggle was forgotten. A few minutes sitting on the kitchen steps watching the birds and squirrels under the canopy of coconut and teak trees erased all the frustration.
I’m happy to spend this evening at home.