09.09.18 Sri Lanka:

My 2 days staying in Pinnawala with the majestic Elephants has sadly come to an end.

I arrived in Pinnawala after a 4 hour drive from Trincomalee. As expected the drive was wonderful, it is fascinating driving through Sri Lanka, you can witness life being lived right in front of you. So many different sights. Buddi as always was amazing and managed to always answer my numerous and sometimes random questions. We had to stop along the way for Buddi to buy some Buffalo Curd!  The way it seems to work here is that certain areas specialise in different things or products, for example Buffalo Curd, or Pick Axe Handles ( yes, Buddi needed one of these as well!) toilets,  Bee honey, fish, bricks, mopeds and numerous other items. It’s very well organised in a random sort of way. 😁

You drive along and suddenly there will be a huge Temple seemingly in the middle of nowhere! And always lots of food stalls and people and colour and everywhere it’s so vibrant and beautiful.

We arrived in Pinnawala at just before 4 check in is after due to the Elephants taking up the road on their way back from the river. Buddi and I stood and watched them head back and it was incredible, to be so close to them is awesome, and a little scary!

My hotel is situated right in the river, so a perfect spot to watch the elephants. Once I checked in I sat and had a lovely cold beer and watched the river. It is so interesting, even without the elephants. There are people walking across to get home (not an easy task) I watched one elderly gentleman slowly make his way across holding his shoes and a carrier bag, he nearly slipped at one point and my heart was in my mouth, Glad to say he made it 😁 There are people fishing, washing their clothes. There are lots of fish which attracts the birds, cormorants, herons, cranes, egrets and fish eagles. It is just simply a wonderful place to be.

I thought that I would have my dinner in the hotel restaurant, however when I got down there around 7pm it was like Mosquito Central, and they were some big suckers! I made the decision to eat in the safety of my room!

I think I need to explain a few things here. I had read some worrying reviews online about the elephants and how they are treated, I did however also do some more detailed reading. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was set up to rescue baby elephants who were abandoned in the wild it also takes in elephants that have been mistreated. Obviously baby elephants grow up! A fully grown Asian elephant can weigh between 2.5 and 4 tonnes. Male elephants can become aggressive and unpredictable when they are in Musk, or ready to mate. In most zoo or wildlife parks male and females are kept separately.  some of the large males have chains on their legs, this is so that they can be safe while in the river, their safety, the other elephants and the people. The females and younger elephants are taken to a different part of the river. When the elephants are being bought down to the river, they walk down a very narrow road (more on this in a bit!) I did not witness any ill treatment of the elephants either at the river or in the Orphanage. The Orphanage is run by the government and is strictly monitored.

The staff had reserved me a lovely table on the terrace for breakfast with a fantastic view of the river and elephants. The first small group arrives at 8.30 this is a group,of large males, poorly elephants and the more unsocial ones. They stay for an hour. It is amazing  to watch them in the water, rolling, being scrubbed! This group leaves at 9.30amd the next group come at 10 I watched the first group leave, again so   incredible to be so close. Once the first group left I wandered up the road a bit and was standing in a shop door when the next larger group came down, they kind of plod along but as they went past it struck me how huge and powerful they were so I moved back into the shop a little. At which point a one of the elephants gathered speed and headed straight towards me trunk raised and trumpeting, I dived behind a clothes rail, he veered off and charged another part of the shops scattering  staff and a few Japanese tourists before it came to a halt when the Mahood shouted! I emerged from behind the rail, (like that was going to,stop a 4 tonne beast FFS!) my legs like jelly and a funny feeling in my tummy! It was extremely scary and it makes you realise that these are not tame elephants they are huge, wild, unpredictable albeit glorious creatures. I’m pleased to say that this little drama didn’t stop me enjoying my time in Pinnawala. I’m so glad I made the decision to go and I feel it was a fitting end to my time in Sri Lanka.

Whilst having lunch, I met my first drunk Sri Lanakan, I didn’t get his name, but the whole experience was a little weird! He was sitting at a table near me with his wife and small son, his friend and his mother in law. He was celebrating his 11th wedding anniversary (apparently) he asked me to come and chat with them, which I did. He started to tell me how much he admired my face which was beautiful, my eyes and my lovely figure which he thought was quite wonderful and a bit sexy! (Seriously!) I have to explain that there was a nearly empty litre bottle of whiskey on the table 😁 his wife seemed nice, but I think her English was not as good as his thank god, awkward! I eventually made my excuses at which point he took my hand and informed me that in his next life he wants to return and be my husband!! OK then! 😳😁

I am sad to say that Buddi my lovely Tour Guide and friend was unable to bring me back to Negombo as he was taken very ill and is in hospital with extremely high blood pressure, bless him he arranged alternative transport from his hospital bed. I spoke to him on the phone when I got to Negombo and he is OK, but needs to rest. He and his wife Sriyani have been an amazing part of my adventure here.

So that’s almost it, I’m heading to the airport later tonight. Thank you all so for reading this blog I have enjoyed writing it and sharing my adventure with you. Can’t wait to see you all in the UK.

Love and Peace. 🌈💖🌈