An early start with the van arriving to take us to Colombo at 8am.

The family, the paid help (and her family), plus the neighbours were all round in force to say their goodbyes too us. Group photos all round, we even roped the van driver in to take the pics. The van proved a much more pleasant back to the city than we had envisaged a few days earlier when we were advised to get the air con bus with all of our luggage!

Once in Colombo a trip to Barefoot and Lanka Hands for our final gifts and trinkets. Then onto the YWCA, now a familiar stopping point. Once settled into our rooms, Claire, Layla and Rachel headed out to the city’s mental institution to meet with Social Workers and observe systems in Sri Lanka. I opted to stay behind and repack my luggage.

In the early evening Rachel and I took the others to visit the fabulous Gangaramaya Temple. Before heading to Pizza Hut for some cheap western food and Sri Lanka’s excellent service. As we departed we rang the bell to say we’d had a good time! A nice ending to our trip.