Getting settled with children in Colombo...

We are finally here and are getting settled fairly well. Our two 6-years old boys have joined CIS at the beginning of the term and we are about to fix permanent accomodation agreements

Still there are many questions unanswered, more things to organise and of cause we'd like to socialize with other expat families and locals alike.

The boys miss their football (soccer) team back in England - does anybody know of a Colombo soccer club with kid's section??

We'd like to join one of the local clubs and are looking at Waters Edge since it has been recommended and is close enough to where we are going to live - any comments/alternative suggestions??

So far we use Meter Bajajs to get around but would like to get a car, either import our own one from the UK or rent a car with driver over here. We have been told that buying a car here would be too expensive because of the tax. If anyone has experience or good advice on cost of either option, please do let us know!! We'll be staying for at least one year, so a long term solution is what we are after.

Other areas I'd like to explore with regards to the children are:
- cricket (we can't really get away without this experience;) I think, but they are beginners and would probably feel most comfortable with other expat kids who are at a similar level)
- music lessons (they have had piano lessons for 2 terms, although we do not have a piano over here)
- martial arts (they had a go at Karate back in the UK and liked it a lot, so anything similar would probably do)
Any of the above can potentially be replaced by other/new things to do; they love swimming and anything to do with water and absorb new experiences like sponges really.

For myself I'd like to learn more about the Sri Lankan culture, the cuisine, the language(s) (both written and spoken!), places to go and visit, the local architecture and it's reaction to the climate - I'm just a big sponge myself, I guess:)

Now I've probably bored most people with too much writing....