Colombo

Ships berth at Queen Elizabeth pier, around a 15-minute walk from the town centre, and taxis are normally waiting there; agree the fare before leaving. Shuttle buses are often provided, although limited capacity can mean a wait, and their stops may offer inadequate protection from heat or rain.

Taxis can be hired at the harbour or booked through services such as Knopka Transport and MyTransfers. A return trip to the museum may cost about $40.

Beside the ship, 'Trader' stalls sell wood carvings, jewellery and clothes from small shops on the pier. The cruise terminal itself provides only basic facilities.

Tropical Sri Lanka lies off India's southern tip and was formerly called Ceylon. Its exceptionally lush vegetation includes rubber, coffee, pepper, tea, spice and coconut plantations covering hills and mountain slopes, with giant umbrella trees supplying shade.

With around one million residents, Colombo is Sri Lanka's political, financial and cultural centre, as well as its largest city and an important port. A visit offers an insight into the workings of the country.

Centuries of history have left Portuguese, Dutch and English remains interwoven with Indian influences, creating a distinctive cultural blend. The central district, called "Fort", is very easy to discover on foot.

Immediately inland from the fort is Pettah, Colombo's lively bazaar, where its shops and streets sell almost anything. Farther inland, Cinnamon Gardens contains the museum, art gallery, university and the city's biggest park, along with its most exclusive residential quarter and many embassies.

The Dutch Period Museum occupies the former Dutch governor's home. After serving several other roles, the property was restored and turned into a museum whose engaging displays explain the Dutch era. Rooms around a garden courtyard each explore different elements of colonial life under the Dutch.

About six miles from central Colombo, Dehiwala Zoo is considered among Asia's most attractive. Thirty-seven acres of rolling grounds contain shrubs, flowering trees, plants, orchids, lakes and fountains. Its collection of over 2,000 animals includes sloth, leopard, civets, small cats, numerous lizards, crocodiles and snakes, alongside lions, tigers, jaguars, black panthers and other exotic species. Trained elephants perform each afternoon.

Visit Galle Face Green Promenade on Galle Road, Colombo 03, around sunset for a dramatic view. The ½-km-long promenade covers 13 acres (5.3 hectares) between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean and draws children, teenagers, vendors, couples, kite flyers, revellers and families. It becomes particularly crowded on Saturday and Sunday evenings with day visitors, food stalls and picnics. This is also the city's largest open space, and entry is free.

If the ship offers tours of Sri Lanka, consider joining one. Traffic can be chaotic and entirely unpredictable, particularly around Colombo and other large cities.

Three-wheeled vehicles, aptly called three-wheelers or Tri-Shaws, are Sri Lanka's most common form of transport. Their engine sound also gives them the name Tuk-Tuks. They operate much like taxis and provide a highly economical way to travel; pay no more than 10 euro per hour, and negotiate before getting in.

Hiring a taxi allows an easy tour of Cinnamon Gardens' refined mansions and tree-lined avenues, perhaps passing residents playing cricket or flying kites. Alternatively, drive 10km to the nearest beach resort, Mt. Lavinia. A taxi costs about 110 Euro for the day.

Galle Road forms a long coastal strip running south from the centre. It eventually leaves Colombo and reaches Galle, Sri Lanka's fourth-largest city, around seventy miles away.

Pettah bazaar's streets are packed with stalls and shops selling everything from vegetables to gemstones, with several attractive temples also worth visiting.

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee. Approximate rates are 110Rs/ USD and 170Rs/ EUR. US Dollars are widely accepted, but credit cards less so.

ATMs are common around cities and suburbs, particularly at bank branches, but scarcer in rural areas.

Sinhala, Tamil and English are spoken widely across Sri Lanka. In remote villages, however, residents may speak only Sinhala or only Tamil.

Standard shopping hours are Mon-Fri 0900-1730 and Sat 0900-1300.