Day 56 - Christmas Eve at Sea: Colombo by Night & Festive Joy

Happy Christmas Eve! 🎄



If you’re celebrating Christmas, I hope you’re wrapped in warmth, love, and a little sparkle today. On board, the ship is certainly embracing the season — festive, joyful, and beautifully decorated.

The seas had been quite choppy as we sailed toward Sri Lanka, but as we approached Colombo, everything softened and the waters calmed. With no early tour, it gave us a wonderfully free morning. I slipped back into my familiar rhythm — gym time, my usual routine, and then a presentation on Sri Lanka, which was genuinely fascinating and added rich context ahead of our visit.

Afterwards, I settled into my cosy corner to complete the crossword and sudoku, and managed a good chunk of reading from my latest book — a real treat.

Joe enjoyed a lazy start, but rallied in time for his beloved quiz. His team came joint second, just missing out on first place — tomorrow’s another chance, as he likes to remind us all.

A Gentle Afternoon

We planned lunch together at Compass Rose, but Joe wasn’t tempted by the menu and decided to head to La Verandah, so we ate separately. With the weather behaving beautifully, I spent the early afternoon reading on the balcony, soaking up the calm before our evening plans.

Colombo by Night

Our evening tour, “Colombo by Night,” was a highlight. We toured the city’s landmarks — many familiar to me from my visit last year — and watched the city come alive after dark. The traffic was, at times, hair-raising, with tuk-tuks and bikes weaving in and out with fearless precision. Our guide, Christo, was excellent, and Joe was delighted to secure his now much-loved front-row seat again.



We then arrived at the Cinnamon Hotel, beautifully decorated for Christmas. Carol singers welcomed us at the entrance, followed by welcome drinks ahead of a traditional folk performance. The dancers and drummers were outstanding, and the narrator who introduced each act added warmth and charm. Joe felt the drums were slightly on the loud side — but thankfully the performance was concise.



We were treated to a local speciality, an Arrack cocktail, which was delicious. In a moment that will surprise those who know me well, I even ended up on stage dancing with the performers. No one else was volunteering, and I felt for the dancers — so I thought, why not? 🎶💃



Dinner followed — a buffet feast, full of flavour and beautifully prepared. Joe’s quiz teammates, Chris and Doug, were also on the tour and joined us at the table, making for a lovely, sociable evening.

Back On Board & Christmas Spirit

The drive back showcased Colombo lit up at night, and we arrived just in time to enjoy the Christmas Carol performance by the Navigator crew — truly heartwarming.



Joe, feeling peckish again, slipped off to Sette Mari for a quick bowl of pasta, while the rest of the ship buzzed with festive cheer. Many guests had dressed up, and the atmosphere felt wonderfully jolly and bright.

We’re calling it an early night, ready to make the most of our full day in Colombo tomorrow before setting sail once more.

Daily Reflection:

There’s something magical about Christmas Eve at sea —
familiar traditions wrapped in new places,
and joy found in unexpected moments.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ Dancing on stage with Sri Lankan performers — proof that the spirit of the season really does loosen the feet and lift the heart.

 

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