Hotels are not actually places of accommodation in Sri Lanka. The word "hotel" means curry house, much like a mamak in Malaysia.
I'm not sure why it's called a hotel either but it's a good place for cheap eats and decent food.
Hotels are scattered throughout much of Colombo and I've eaten at several during my short time here. I prefer the small establishments where the locals go.
Most of the locals here order "short eats" - samosas and other deep fried savory rolls during odd hours of the day but the staple food for lunch is:
Rice! It comes in a mound with several sides of curry, pickles and dhall. You are charged by how much you eat and the rice is infinitely refillable (as is the condiments).
To truly appreciate the Sri Lankan culture, it is essential that you eat with your hands. It doesn't take long to master - just use the tips of your fingers to get to the rice.
However, I must warn you that hotels in Sri Lanka do not believe in serviettes, probably due to the cost. Instead, you have a piece of old newspaper to wipe your hands with.
It's surprisingly effective - newspaper dries your hand and rubs off most of the olfactory offence you have rendered upon it.
You know the best thing about hotels in Sri Lanka? The rice dish cost me LKR 50 which is about USD 0.50 or RM 1.70. It's very easy on the wallet! :)
I must warn people without a cast iron stomach not to drink the water though. It's not boiled. I saw them filling it at the tap. >.<
Posted: 8:34 PM Sri Lankan time
omg. no fork and spoon ka?
I drink water without boiling here anyway.
if anything happend over there, theres always Noroxin anyway ;)
HB u travel alone?
Awesome post!
very environmental friendly ler these hotels, recycle newspaper as serviette :)
HB, really enjoyed your entries of Sri Lanka. Your the eyes and ears for all bloggers. I may not able to go to Sri Lanka but so interesting in your adventure there. How many hours to there from KL?
Just like how they say to truly enjoy banana leaf rice is eating with hands. I miss banana leaf rice in Bangsar, KL. Oh, and nice new Quicksilver tshirt! Hahha :P
I am Sri Lankan and those info in the post is 100% true. And I am proud of it.lol. You got to come to Sri Lanka, to be a Lion!!!
the food look kinda tasty...not bad...haha...hmmm...a lot of people in Malaysia still uses their hand to eat....
we drink tap water in the states too, but i guess the quality differs...
Food look tasty...... mmmmm.....enjoy all your food entries...take care
My brother in law plans to expand his business to Sri Lanka. I was told that Sri Lanka ppl are very friendly. But I was sad that you were pick-pocket on the first day in Sri Lanka. But after much thinking, thieves are everywhere in the world. We just need to be careful. I am glad that you enjoy your trip.
Do you feel that use hand to eat taste better? I do ... ~
gee when comes to indian food, i rather use hands too... don't you get the black ink stain on your hands after wiping your hands with old newspaper? cool, i think you make a good journalist :)
thanks for the info. Might worry if you ask the cab to take you to a hotel, you ended up at the curry house!
if that's how they call a curry house then what do they call a hotel? lol
Guess what I brought back from Sri Lanka? E.Coli!
I'm feeling really sick now, am on antibiotics.
There goes my reputation of having a cast iron stomach. :p
Escherichia coli.. :S Hope it not too bad.. Take care ya. Get well soon. *Hugs*
And drink more plain water..
Get well soon! :)
but they have the same concept of "hotel" in Melbourne too, street corner bars that serves food and drinks
HB, I guess anyone with even the strongest stomach won't be able to fight off the nasty E. Coli. ;) No shame in that. Heck, if you happen to also have IBS like me, you'd spending an eternity on that porcelain throne.
you put in too much food all at once...maybe should upgrade ur stomach to platinum...haha...
eh how come your gf didnt follow u to sri lanka de?
TOLANIC: Yeah they do have forks and spoons but for the Authentic Sri Lankan Experience (TM) you gotta eat with your hands. :)
cynthia: Eh, you're in Australia. :p
I drink tap water in Melbourne too.
However, doing the same in Sri Lanka can be detrimental to your health! :)
denise: Yup, I went to Sri Lanka alone! :)
Bailaman: Cheers! :)
annant: I doubt it has anything to do with being enviromentally friendly. ;)
I think it has more to do with the poverty over there. :)
Vickie: Sri Lanka is 2 1/2 hours behind so you gain 2 1/2 hours going but you lose 2 1/2 hours coming back. :)
chefmel: Thanks! Quiksilver tee kindly furnished by Ed. :)
Isuru: Sri Lanka is awesome my friend! :)
Cheong Hao: Yeah it does...I got E.Coli from the drinking water. Ish. :S
sylvia: Thanks Sylvia! :)
Choonie: Sri Lanka is a nice place...I was just unfortunate that day. :)
Ung Ing: I have to agree with you...it's strangely...liberating! :)
jg: Cheers! Nah, it doesn't stain for some reason. I don't know what ink they use over there. :)
eiling: Heh! It's okay if you prefix it e.g. Holiday Inn Colombo or Hilton Colombo. :)
Damn Dirty Angel: They call a hotel a hotel too but you've gotta be clear when you give directions. ;)
Shirley Snow: Thanks! Feeling better already! :)
chefmel: Thanks Mel! :)
KY: Yeah, but those come with lodging too, at least IIRC. :)
Cheers: I was on the toilet most of the day. :S
Cheong Hao: Haha! Thanks! I don't think it's the food, my guess is the water. :)
OP: Eh?
Dont they have any filters like some water dispenser??? try drinking those...
Cheong Hao: Heh! They use newspapers instead of serviettes or tissues, the poverty is seriously hardcore over there. No filters on the tap. :)
huai bin is a total muthafuckin pussy!!!
hb sucks: Yup, I agree, that's why I don't ever need to leave the house. I can literally fuck myself. =D