By Paul Topping

I'm a daily walker living opposite Galle Face Green and the sea. I draw the curtains most days and feel blessed, whether it's rain, wind or sunshine. The walking shoes go on, and it's time for my daily stride. There are so many options: north, south and west. I prefer walking by the water, so here are four of my favourite waterfront walks in Colombo.

Walk One: Port City
Port City, I suppose, technically is east, and is best for early morning or late afternoon walks. We go to the yacht marina, often sneaking through a hole in the fence opposite the Old Parliament Building. The grand pedestrian entrance opened and then officially closed.

The yacht marina and commercial buildings, I'm sure, will take some shape in the years ahead. Piling has begun on two blocks facing the water, one fifteen storeys high and the other thirty-seven. What a blot on the landscape the latter will be. Like other developments of this nature in Colombo, long delays should be expected.

The feature arched bridge is best seen at sunset when the lights come on. On the beach, you will see two new large cement features. There is a row of waterfront cafés and eateries, popular with Colombo locals. Pass the event tents, boating areas, a pleasant French bistro, and a golden bull statue at the golf driving range. A sailing club area has started. All the above face a long, beautiful city beach. Heading inland, wind your way to Port City's central buildings, most of which are two storeys high. A colourful container village has opened with cafés and eateries. This walk takes about sixty minutes at a medium pace, starting and ending at the Old Parliament Building. Check out the statues.

Walk Two: The Big Beira Lake
By the three McCallum Locks, opposite Lake House, is an open-air canal museum on the larger Beira Lake. This is the best scenic walk in this part of the city, although sadly it is badly neglected. Most of the twenty statues have been vandalised. Take care on the bridges, as there is some rotten timber, which can be dangerous.

Fallen trees once blocked the paths but have now been cleared. There is plenty of birdlife and the views are spectacular. You will pass the Lotus Tower area before eventually reaching Vauxhall Street. Walk in the early evening to catch an amazing city sunset. Allow yourself about an hour.

Walk Three: The Smaller Beira
Start from Barista on Navam Mawatha and walk along the lakeside path. Head towards the Altair building by Moshe Safdie, which perhaps has the largest selection of Chinese cars displayed on its ground floor. Walk around the lake. It can be a little smelly at times. If you are lucky, you may be joined by a water monitor, the friendly ducks or some harmless random dog out for a stroll. Pass the swan boats and the temple on the water. Worth a few minutes' walkabout. Continue round the lake; the ugliest five-storey folly in the city, still unfinished, is yet another blot on the landscape. The path then opens up, becomes cleaner and offers glimpses of Colombo's nautical past. This is a forty-five-minute walk. Finish at Crescat Mall at Café Kaffe for a coffee and a chance to relax and watch the world go by.

The Whinging Pome Random Rule No. 255: "Walking creates new discoveries."

Walk Four: Galle Face Green
This is a shorter walk, from the Galle Face Hotel towards the Old Town Hall and back, with time to explore this famous hotel and its remarkable history. In fact, my team and I designed and operated *The Inn of the Green*, the first authentic English pub on the island. It served draught beer from Manchester. 

Walk along the seafront created by Sir Henry Ward. Continue until you reach the Old Parliament, built by the British in 1930, then walk back towards the Galle Face Hotel, taking in the modern Shangri-La complex, ITC Hotel, with its confusing entrance and lift system. Then admire the impressive Taj Samudra, built in the 1980s. The building in front dates from the 1860s. The Pavilion was once a grandstand which, in its heyday, would have had crowds surrounding it. If the door is open, pop in and admire its splendour. Head back to where you started and refresh yourself in the Galle Face Hotel bar, surrounded by photographs of the rich and famous who have visited the location.

These four walks showcase different sides of Colombo's waterfront. Whether it's the modern, historical, landscape or water features, discover it on foot.