A modified 'Beetle', Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The front end.

The driver's seat. Automatic transmission, air-conditioning, stereo player etc. The rear seats have been removed and the canopy shortened.

The twin chromium plated silencers.

The rear engine compartment.

The engine with an alternator.

A view of the rear.

What a lot of care and attention would have gone into this 5 Sri model most probably manufactured in the late 1960s.
Click on link below to see a video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWUrd5eM5FE&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=2

Two Volkswagens at a rally on 7th April 2013 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The green one parked next to the 'beetle' is with a different body used extensively by the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It is a beauty. 

The Volkswagen 'Beetle Rally', Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The youngster came all the way from Australia with his parents to be with his Grandpa to take part in a Volkswagen 'Beetle Rally' at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The last picture shows the Ayres Estate Guest Bungalow at Bope, Padukka where the Rally terminated.This building was put up in the 1930s. There were more than 75 Beetles in the Rally this year.
Click on link below to see video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9LucRxxyg&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=3

Nugegoda Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Nugegoda Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Blooms on the plants for sale at The Waters Edge, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

One has to witness the variety of shapes and sizes of flowers at this popular sales point.

Waters Edge, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Xerophytes for the home garden.

Baked earthen ware to decorate the home.

Roses, Waters Edge, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

 The variety of rose plants for sale at the flower sales point, Waters Edge, Colombo is fantastic. I took these photos of a few available there. Some exotic ones go as high as Rs.2500/= for each plant.
A poem I recall of student days which was true physically and metaphorically speaking is worth reciting.

'Fairest things have fleetiest ends,

Their scent survives them close,

But the rose's scent is bitterness,

To him that loved a rose'.

Skoda convertible of the 1950s, manufactured in Czechoslavia, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The signal levers can be seen recessed as a black vertical stripe in front of the rear hinged doors

The rear closed luggage space.

The 'pull-up' glass windows on the doors and the split wind-screen are items to be noted.

Skoda of Czechoslovakia was a well recognized automobile brand before the Second World war. They served the interests of Hitler's army. They made a recovery after the war and produced some good autos and were imported into Ceylon of the post-war years. I saw this at an exhibit at the BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was advertised for use at weddings.

Trade Fare at the BMICH, Colombo.

The BMICH.

Trinkets on sale by a Chinese national.

Furniture for sale.

In the grounds.

A Trade Fare was held in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Hall of the BMICH Complex. Some pictures I took there are shown above.

A Magic show and Clowns at the Singer Sale at the BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Magic show

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31cH8CvrTiE&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=1&feature=plcp

Clowns

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2xPr_FYELI&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=2&feature=plcp

A magic show and clowns circulating among the crowd at the Singer sale at the BMICH, Colombo.

Scenes at 'The Waters Edge Park', Colombo, Sri Lanka.

People come here for an evening's fun and relaxation. It is a wonderful idea for the busy metropolis.

Scenes at 'The Waters Edge', Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Diyawanna Oya.

A pond near the entrance.

Blooming lotus.

A decorative foot-path.