Day 21 - Today was our last day in Nugegoda before heading back to Minuwangoda. Jay and I decided to revisit some old shopping places in Bambalapitya. We took a Pick-Me rideshare car. I was messaging a friend in Vancouver about the amazing old trees still living from the days of British city planning. Today, I tried to snap a photo showing the massive trees found along some of Colombo's historic avenues.
We got out at the Majestic Shopping Centre. I love how this part of the city has grown tall since my first trips here in the mid-80s. I remember when Galle Road was 2-way but appreciate how it now is only open northbound in this area.
As soon as we got out of the car, we walked one block to the sea. The area has never had a suitable beach because of train tracks and a lack of development. However, it is nice that fresh air can come directly into the city off the Laccadive Sea.
We returned to enter the Majestic Shopping Mall via another side street. The Mall has not really been kept up over the past few years. The upper floor was dark and empty. Its only claim seems to be free Internet access I guess. However, as I had my Mifi router in my pocket that wasn't a large selling point. Jay did speak to an agent at a travel agency he discovered on the Internet. Some staff were ready to construct a large Christmas tree.
Jay suggested we see what had happened to Liberty Plaza. I remember that from my very first time on the island and the cinema complex that sits across the street. Some say it is the oldest shopping center in Sri Lanka. It is now basically an electronic market selling mostly phone products. It has always lacked a large open central area. However, it must have gone through some extensive refurbishment. I was happy to see it looked stiffy and clean inside and out.
We used Pick-Me to get another rideshare back to Nugegoda. It was a nice little outing and time to recall a much earlier Colombo city.