You f***ing idiot.

I got a new bike box from decathlon and packed this morning.

Prabath and Sudassie the owners of the Colombo Orchid Villa guesthouse were good enough to let me stay late, helped me to get a taxi booked for 3pm.

I relaxed in the car and got the driver to stop at 3 places until I got my Smak fix.

At the airport in plenty of time. Through the first security up to the check in desk. The e-visa was online. The check in girl looked at me, Your visa is not here sir, I opened the email from the Oman embassy and sure enough it just said draft. My jaw dropped to the ground. I started typing furiously and phoning numbers. But this was all to no avail it most certainly wasn’t there. I think I must have got half way through and then just gave up.

I’m not the first person and definitely won’t be the last. But I am the one who is happy/unhappy to write about it.

Of course I am angry, the guy hassling me to take his taxi is testament to that. 🤬.

I am now in a hotel close to the airport in Colombo, well 26km out. I will cycle to the Oman embassy tomorrow and try to start the process.

My plane ticket is deferred, at a price of course. Luckily it is open so I can get the next Sri Lankan Airlines flight. Seats available on Thursday, flight full on Friday, then the weekend so no visas issued then. I’m holding my breath for tomorrow night.

Grrrrrrrrrrr. I hang my head in shame.