Lobster unreal

by. Regular Sri Lanka visitor

Well it is common knowledge that tourist are usually charged double in this lovely country.

Actually the Sri Lankan government is to blame for it because they are the ones started this nonsense some many years back when they introduced much higher entrance fee's to popular tourist spots like the 'Botanical Garden" etc. and displaying the charge for tourist (much higher)  prominently at the ticket boots. Naturally local businesses thought what the government can do we can even do better and even the famous Buddha toot temple at Kandy is charging now an entrance fee (only for tourist). Be aware at this location are touts around who like to give you (uninvited) a bit of a private tour where you are expected to make a major donation in the end.

Also be aware of the usual traps, like even any medium class hotel has at least a number of 'jewelry stores" where they trying to entice you with some fantastic bargain (to good to be true)  I would not touch any of them. Even if they display nonsense like 'Government approved" Unless you are a real expert and know what you are doing and looking at. There are ways (smoking) to improve the outlook of precious stones and the practice is widely used also jewelry is not 'stamped"

Anyway I thought I know already most of the traps but just learned something to make my stomach turn around. As a lobster lover I used to frequent  the smaller restaurants you find plenty around tourist hotels and enjoyed "grilled lobster" at a very reasonable price, however lately the grilled lobster seems to have mostly disappear from the menu and is replaced with 'Lobster mourney" As you may know this is 100% lobster cut in to pieces and covered with a cheese topping. From 'informed sources" I learned that what you are getting is not lobster mourney but at best I would call it "lobster flavored fish mourney"  What they do is remove the lobster from it's shell ,as it is supposed to be, and take a bit of the lobster and mix it with some cheap fish, bake it over and put it back in the lobster shell , to make it appear it is the real think. Now I can not say that the better hotels are also doing the same trick but than it is not usually on there menu anyway. So out of one lobster they may be able to produce maybe 20 lobster mourney.  I suppose they have to reuse the shell which you leave behind on the table.  Well god luck.

On a positive side there are some good buys available like tee, spices of all kinds, and if you smoke cigars I recommend "Thanshers" The better ones do well compare with "Cuban" but at a fraction of the cost. However never buy them from souvenir shops or small places around hotels, better look for the local supermarket where goods have a price label and the locals buy there stuff.

And last a serious warning. Close to beach hotels e.g. the famous Mt. Lavinia Hotel you may find idyllic little "Fishing villages" the people there are usually very friendly but never accept an invitation to come in to there house. Particularly if you are alone. Changes are great that a few guy's may be waiting inside and you get robbed of your belongings.