This was a very disappointing experience leaving us grateful to have made it back to the ship before it sailed. The day started well. Our guide met us at the port as arranged. It was a private air conditioned car so we were pleased and we set off. He told us first stop was Galle fort. Excellent we thought. It was a long drive but he was chatty and all was going well. We arrived at Galle and he told us to have a look around and meet him back at the car in 40 mins. That started alarm bells as we expected him to be a guide not just a taxi, however we did as told and walked around the fort. 40 mins is not long to be there. It’s well worth a visit but go for the day or at least a few hours. Back in the car he then started checking the itinerary to see where next and to consult google maps. He admitted he hadn’t worked that area before so how he was supposed to be a guide was unclear. We went to jungle beach, having taken wrong turnings and finally asking for directions. Lovely but not worth the trek if you are only going to take a photo. Next lunch. It took 1 hour 15 mins and further wrong turnings before he found the restaurant, during which time he told us we wouldn’t see the stilt fishermen as they were all off as it was a holy day (later saw other peoples photos of the stilt fishermen so this was clearly a lie). The lunch was good. Next river safari. Finally found it and as we were about to board the boat we were asked for 100 dollars for a 40 min boat ride. We refused and at this point lost our temper about how bad the day had been. We finally agreed to pay 60 dollars so that the day wasn’t a complete failure. It was an interesting boat ride but sort the price when you book. Finally turtle hatchery. Driver announced we didn’t have time for this but there was something similar just round the bend. It was a sea life centre! At this point we insisted that he checked Maps to see how long it would take to get back to the ship. We were 2 hours away, it was 4:30pm and the ship sailed at 7. Having to convince him we needed to go straight away he drove erratically to the point where he got pulled over by the police and we had to convince the police to let him keep going. I’ve never been so relieved to get back on board ship. This was a taxi not a tour and the driver failed us by not pre checking routes, understanding the area and generally giving a damn. I have given it two stars rather than one as the destinations were good. The bit that needs to change is a tour guide not a driver and a boat trip inclusive price or at least an indication of expected cost. It could probably be improved by focusing on 3 things rather than trying to do everything.