Wednesday 24th June – Friday 26th June 2020

My birthday and the end of the school year for children were approaching, and the fact that a lot of hotels had special offers which our friends had already taken advantage of meant that Steve and I decided to have a stay-cation too.  We had a reason, well the mentioned two reasons actually, and  Steve managed to arrange two nights in the 5 star Shangri-La Colombo, 10 minutes by taxi from home.  We were all really looking forward to it; a stay in the Executive Suite with unlimited access to the Horizon Club on the 32nd floor included.  How exciting!

On Wednesday at 7.30, a taxi arrived and took us to the hotel.  We were able to check in immediately so that the children could start school via the internet at 8.15 from our suite; a living room, study dressing room and storage area, bedroom, two toilets and a bathroom with a shower and a  b a t h! We had not lain in a bath for almost a year and had forgotten the feeling!  We also had a soft carpet under our feet, home being polished stone flooring; very nice, but hard.

For the first time in their lives, the kids used room service and ordered their lunch. It was not served on a tray, but rather a large round gate leg table on wheels, complete with a tablecloth and a hot compartment in the centre from which lunch was served.  Amazing!

Whilst the kids were ordering, Steve and I were downstairs for a leisurely breakfast of lovely food – well, for Steve at least as I had already eaten. On return to the room at 10:35am, Steve sat down to take his shoes off and promptly fell deep asleep.  A full belly and sheer exhaustion; not for the first time that he has done this!  I went off to have my nails done ready for the afternoon when three of my friends arrived to celebrate my birthday with High Tea; we spent four hours eating delicious samples from beautifully decorated four-story plate racks.

The kids and Steve went to the Horizon cCub for a high tea too and then we all went for a Happy hour – Steve having a few G&Ts and I, unusually, a glass of wine. The children had full size beds on castors that fitted easily into the living room next to each other and by about 11 pm were asleep.  I then went to one of the best gyms I’ve ever been to! 

Thursday was my birthday and I was awakened by presents and birthday cards.  At 9 o’clock we went for a breakfast buffet (my favourite part of a hotel stay), where our Czech friend Pavel was already waiting for us and with a big bouquet.  The children had permission to miss their first two lessons so that they could enjoy my birthday breakfast – and so got to see the surprise of the Head Chef, Patrick from Germany, bringing me a cake accompanied by his team singing Happy Birthday.  Pavel knows Patrick, and having discussed with Steve what I’d likely enjoy, ordered a Victoria sponge with strawberries and whipped cream.  Lovely!

In the afternoon I relaxed by the pool (I think I fell asleep!) where I was one of just 4 guests.  At 5 pm we could not miss High Tea at the Horizon Club, cutting my birthday cake – and then continuing in to Happy Hour of course!  Emilka and I packed evening dresses, but we didn’t wear any of them as we were always so full that we didn’t need dinner.

In the evening, our lovely Turkish friends came to join us for a coffee and I shared the big cake with them; a nice finish to my special day. When the children fell asleep again around 11 pm, I went to the gym to sweat the consumed calories! And what did we do on Friday?  Relaxed!  Another delicious breakfast, with the children arriving at around 10.00am during their first break at school, counting down the last hours of Year Eight.  Emilka and I then went to relax with a book by the pool – this time we had it to ourselves – and the boys went shopping before joining us at the pool later on.

We packed up and went to the Horizon Club for 4 pm, staying until 7 pm – why not, with good food and drink as always! Misa set up all 4 laptops on a table to make a small office and it was lovely to catch up on personal email and enjoy a video call with my Mum.  Emilka and I popped into the large newly built shopping center One Galle Face, and after 8 pm we took a taxi home. Unpacked, two washing machine loads and the stay-cation wis over.

Even now, when I think about it, it makes me smile – I was very fortunate to celebrate my birthday beautifully and in style, even during the coronovirus pandemic. The curfew had lifted in time, and some clouds have a silver lining.

Rennie