When I stepped off the plane in Colombo, I had no plan—just a backpack, curiosity, and a long list of things I thought I knew about Sri Lanka. It only took 24 hours for those assumptions to be lovingly crushed by real experiences, loud horns, spicy food, and the unexpected kindness of strangers.
1. The Warm Chaos of Colombo
Colombo hit me like a warm, humid wave. Cars honked, tuk-tuks zipped around like bees, and people moved with a rhythm I couldn’t quite catch. I stood frozen at the curb, luggage in hand, until a kind old man tapped my shoulder and said, “You need tuk-tuk?”
2. My First Tuk-Tuk Scam (and Why I Didn’t Mind)
I climbed in, excited for my first ride. “Only 500 rupees,” he said with a grin. I knew from Google it should be closer to 200. But as we swerved through vibrant markets and colonial buildings, I didn’t care. It felt like a theme park ride without seatbelts—and it came with a free history lesson from my driver. He was probably the nicest rickshaw driver around. Didn’t hassle us at all, which is the exception, not the rule.
3. Hotel Mix-Up Turned Sweet Encounter
When I arrived at my hotel, the receptionist told me they had no record of my booking. My stomach dropped. I must’ve clicked the wrong date. Just as panic kicked in, she smiled and said, “Don’t worry, sir, we will sort it.” And they did—upgraded room, no extra charge.
4. First Taste of Curry & Caution
Starving, I ventured out to find food. A street vendor handed me a newspaper-wrapped bundle with rice, dhal, and something spicy enough to make my eyes water. It was incredible—and cheap. Lesson: street food is gold, but ask if it’s “mild” first (they’ll lie, but it’s worth it).
5. Sunset at Galle Face Green
Just before evening, I found myself at Galle Face Green. Families flew kites, lovers watched the ocean, and food carts lit up the promenade. A little boy offered me a bite of his candy floss. I bought him another and we sat in silence, watching the sky blush pink and orange.
24 Hours Later: I Was Hooked
My first day in Sri Lanka was messy, humbling, and magical. I got overcharged, lost, and sunburned—but I also laughed, connected, and saw beauty in chaos. If this is how it starts, I can’t wait for the rest of the journey.
Quick Tips for Your First Day:
- ☑ Use PickMe or Uber for honest tuk-tuk prices
- ☑ Download an offline map like Maps.me
- ☑ Always carry small rupee notes
- ☑ Learn one Sinhala word: “Bohoma Istuti” = “Thank you very much”
Tuk-Tuk Scams & Sweet Smiles: My First 24 Hours in Sri Lanka