He also informed us that pilots never
came off after dark, and kindly offered to show us a good anchorage
for the night.
_Thursday, March 29th_.--The pilot came off early, and soon after six
we dropped anchor in Galle harbour. The entrance is fine, and the bay
one of the most beautiful in the world. The picturesque town, with its
old buildings, and the white surf dashing in among the splendid
cocoa-trees which grow down to the water's edge, combined to make up a
charming picture. We went on board the 'Poonah' to breakfast as
arranged, and afterwards all over the ship, which is in splendid
order. Thence we went ashore to the Oriental Company's Hotel, a most
comfortable building, with a large, shady verandah, which to-day was
crowded by passengers from the 'Poonah.' At tiffin there was a great
crowd, and we met some old friends. At three o'clock we returned to
the yacht, to show her to the captain of the 'Poonah' and some of his
friends, and an hour later we started in two carriages for a drive to
Wockwalla, a hill commanding a splendid view. The drive was
delightful, and the vegetation more beautiful than any we have seen
since leaving Tahiti, but it would have been more enjoyable if we had
not been so pestered by boys selling flowers and bunches of mace in
various stages of development.
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