Saturday, Russell was feeling a little better and went off to deliver his final lecture whilst I prepared for a day of self indulgence.
I had remembered a great shop that we had visited in 2006 called Barefoot and the hotel driver knew exactly where to go. They stock an eclectic range of brightly coloured napery, bedspreads, silverware, books, sarongs etc. etc. Some time later I emerged with a couple of bags full having done my bit for the local economy and raced off via tuk tuk to my spa appointment.
I then spent the next 210 minutes being scrubbed, polished, massaged and bathed to as close to perfection as she could manage, given the raw material. It was just heavenly…..
Finished at 4 and raced back to the hotel to wash the almond, corn, honey, cucumber, milk powder, orange and whatever else was used, from my hair before the next appointment at 7th Avenue, the salon.
When I arrived the salon was chaotic with several English women being 'draped' in their Sarees for a friends wedding.
To my surprise, my hair booking had somehow become hair and makeup so once again I just sat back and relaxed.
By 7pm we were ready, Russell decked out in his new suit and looking particularly suave and myself resplendent in designer Saree and matching jewellery. With some trepidation I made it downstairs without tripping over and off we went to the dinner.
The hotel was awash with beautifully coloured Sarees as there were two weddings as well as our dinner happening and the women just looked stunning!
The dinner itself was OK, once again dictated by longstanding customs and thank you speeches and we started eating at about 9.30pm!
After a suitable time had elapsed we started saying our goodbyes. We were walking through the area where the buffet was situated when a large rat scurried between Sarees and raced off to parts unknown. I expected to see Manuel and Basil in hot pursuit any minute but that was not to be… all part of the charm of Sri Lanka.