Footloose on Galle Face Green

Its 8 in the evening and I just got back from the most amazing stroll on Galle Face Green, a sea-facing promenade along the longest road in Colombo, Galle Road (which is more a boulevard actually). I’d been recommended by an old college friend to saunter down the promenade when I was here last year, but didn’t get the chance. It was definitely worth it - despite having my left foot run over by a Honda Accord - and I plan to do it again. Its one of Colombo's must-see attractions.

The view of the beach from my hotel window had been tempting me since yesterday and this evening I decided to have a walk The skyline at either ends of the beach makes for stunning viewing. Right from the Ceylon Continental and Galadari hotels, situated at the top of Colombo’s business district, to the Doric-column Old Parliament Building – now the Presidential Secretariat - and the looming World Trade Center (WTC), down to the wonderful and very colonial Galle Fort Hotel at the other end, it is a serene stretch. All the more as the sun sets and the lights from the WTC and Presidential Secretariat light up the evening and the moon sprinkles itself on the Indian Ocean.

It’s about a kilometer and a half stretch, I’m told by an elderly gentleman sitting and enjoying the salt spray of the waves lap against the concrete parapets. There is a large stone plaque overlooking the ocean that decrees: “Galle Face Walk – Commenced by Sir Henry Ward 1856. Completed 1869 and recommended to his successors in the interest of Ladies and Children of Colombo.”

The largest open space in Colombo, the sea face is literally a striking view. Down at the Galle Face Hotel end children jostle their parents to buy them cotton candy and savoury rolls and kuku paaka - coconut chicken with boiled eggs and potatoes – while vendors yell out other sweet-smelling goods and couples cozy up one concrete benches. It’s literally like a mini carnival, with the yells of the vendors and laughter of children sifting into the night sky along side the dancing fireflies. Pondering a tempting piece of barbeque chicken, I suddenly yelp in pain to look down and see that my left foot has been run over a backing-up vehicle. The driver gives me a dirty look and tries to maneuver himself out but has no luck; the tuk tuks are commanding right of way. I decided to chuck the barbeque chicken and limp back. Galle Face Green, I’ll be back. It was a real pleasure.