We got in the gates at about 6.30am & Yala National Park was brimming with life, of a little mizzle-y! We saw all manner of birds including a few eagles, green bee eaters, dozens of swallows, hornbills, and storks. The jeep driver has incredible eyesight and spotted a few chameleons from about 4m away, while driving, and he must have been at least 70 with no specs! We also spy some elephants, water buffalo, plenty of graceful deer, snuffling and anxious wild boar, and one sleeping leopard. There were lots of bouncing grey monkeys with black faces (macaques I think) and their cute babies too clinging onto the chest fur.
Spot the bird A boar A macaque Toucans Spot the chameleon
I think the rain kept many animals in, but we still saw a lot.
Our tour guide bought us some fresh local baked roti & chilli paste. He also took us to see thousands of giant bats hanging upside down, all squawking! Quite an amazing sight.
My head cold is still with me and I feel pretty wiped out by 10am. We get back to our villa and I try to nap.
When I am woken up, half hr later by an impatient Leon, I am grouchy, hungry, tired, and feeling full of congestion.
I had a bit of a go at him, telling me, he would hurry me to my grave if he’s not careful! What is the rush, I don’t get it. I couldn’t even get me self a cuppa or some lunch. So that brings us to now, in the driver, Wasi’s car, and on our way to Ella. I want food and sleep, neither of which are looking likely.
Ok so 3hr later, I had a nap in the car, and woke in a really old Buddhist temple from 7-8AC called Buduruwagala & we had to remove shoes and hats to walk near this monument. It is a huge carving in a slate wall. The setting was so picturesque, with rambling butterflies, and many lizards and peacocks. (I can’t find a photo of the place, maybe it was prohibited)
peacock lizard
We then stopped at a juice hut, where we tried wood apple juice. It is kinda like a sour banana and a hint of chocolate. A similar acidity to when you are sick or have acid reflux. I drank it as hungry and thirsty and I’m not one to waste. It really has picked me up anyhow, probably because they have to sugar it to buggary to get it to taste palatable! Our lovely driver Wasi, asked the juice bar to crack open a wood apple for us to try with no sugar! It is dry like a coconut, and I still couldn’t get past the thought of sick! He took a picture of my face eating it, which I can only imagine is a forced slight smile over a grimace & wanting to spit it.
Today’s learnings: things are not always what you think they are. Slow down, look closer, and enjoy being shown new ways/ sights/ tastes/ animals.