One of the best ice creams I’ve ever had

Our six hour drive from Nuwara Eliya to Mirissa included a stop at Galle. Unfortunately, it was bang in the middle of the afternoon when we parked the car at the Galle Fort. Already sunburnt from our hike at Horton Plains, we realized a walk along the Fort couldn’t do us any more harm. Also, I was excited to finally be so close to the sea.

I underestimated the heat. At the end of our long walk, we felt, and looked, like two baked potatoes.

Yet, as we walked back to our car, wondering where we should head for lunch, one of the stony by-lanes called out to me. I simply caught hold of my mother’s hand and dragged her down the street.

Almost like every lane around the Galle Fort, little boutiques, restaurants and souvenir shops dotted this one too. And then I saw it, like something right out of a comic book – a small pink shop with blue windows, an ice cream parlour called The Dairy King.

How I would have a loved a conversation with the owner. But when I stepped inside, the tiny place was packed with a group of youngsters who were on a scavenger hunt of some sort. It was a while before I could get the attention of the boy behind the counter so when I did, I just asked to give me a cup of what he thought was their best flavour.

That passion fruit ice cream turned out to be one of the best tasting ice creams I’ve ever eaten. Icy, acidic, sweet with the occasional crunch of passion fruit seeds – I could have a pool party with that ice cream.

I wish I had a picture of the ice cream to show you. Instead, all I can do is paint one of me and ma sitting on the pavement across the parlour, sharing a big cup of that home-made passion fruit ice cream. The perfect picture of a summer holiday.

For more about my trip to Sri Lanka, check out this post.