Colombo
Colombo is a throwback. It has smartened up considerably since the end of the conflict, but there is still only a limited sense of the dash for development that characterizes most capital cities in south-east Asia and the result is a compact city retaining an atmosphere all of its own.It is now a mixture of ancient, colonial and modern influences. Old ancestral mansions stand side-by-side with the ritzy condominiums that are springing up into the skyline. Street bazaars buzz right next to a few modest shopping malls. Unlike many south Asian cities, Colombo has at its heart a relaxed and genial air.
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