16.03.2020, first stop: Hikkaduwa

This morning I took a tuk-tuk to the main train station in Colombo to catch a train to Hikkaduwa. At the platform, I met an older Swiss couple and had a little chat with them. They had just come from India and because there were visa problems there (due to the Corona virus), they flew to Sri Lanka. They were supposed to be accompanied by a friend who would show them around Sri Lanka, but he couldn't enter due to the virus, so now the two of them have to manage everything without him and with very poor English skills. By the way, the government here has declared today as a public holiday. Due to the sudden spread of the virus here as well, all public facilities and many shops are closed today. Unfortunately, all national parks and museums will also be closed for the next 2 weeks. So my plan to go on a safari will most likely not work. The train ride was amazing because there was a beautiful view the whole time. On the right side, you could see the sea and on the other side, there were small villages and cities. When I arrived in Hikkaduwa, I had to search for my hostel with my heavy luggage. Unfortunately, when I got there, I was disappointed because it was closed due to the virus. It would have been nice to be informed about it via email... So I had to find another hostel spontaneously. Luckily, I quickly found one nearby, right across the street from the beach. Coincidentally, it was also right across from the hotel where my parents stayed before. Definitely a sign :D Currently, I'm the only guest here, so I have a whole room to myself, which is pretty cool. The owners of the hostel are an old couple and very kind and hospitable. However, the host was initially cautious and checked my passport and wanted to see the health declaration when I mentioned that I'm German. Of course, I always immediately say that I haven't been in Germany since January, but as soon as people hear "Germany," they seem to switch off and take a step back. But in general, the people here are very friendly and attentive, and less intrusive than in Ghana. When a man approaches me here, I don't feel like he's doing it just because he has certain intentions (like getting married :D). Later, I bought water and fresh bananas, ate rice with curry, and lay on the beach. I was even able to swim because there were a few other tourists around me who looked after my things. The water was pleasantly warm and super clear, you could even see some fish.