ELLAphants!
Hi Guys,
We rocked up to the train station four hours early in the hope of bagging a precious second class reserved seat for the 6 hour journey up to Ella. Alas, the tourists with the big bucks on their pre-booked tours all ready snapped up all the seats which left us with a nervous wait on the platform for a seat in 3rd. As the train arrived we leapt up like Gazelle's and fought our way onto the train and were lucky enough to bag two window seats so we could take in the views. It was well worth the stress! The views were spectacular as the train wound its way through the Sri Lankan hill country.
We arrived in Ella, a bit shocked to find such a busy lively town! It was quite refreshing to be in a town with a bit going on. A few pints and an excellent rice and curry later we headed to bed with big ideas of hiking up Little Adam's Peak for Luke's birthday the next day.
The hike was incredible, we're not natural hikers by any stretch of the imagination so this little peak was a perfect introduction. We were the classic 'all the gear and no idea' in our walking boots and gym gear, as some toddlers passed us in flipflops! As you can see from the views below it was worth the 320 steps up to the top, a great way to celebrate turning 28.
We then ambled through the jungle looking for the railway line and the famous 9 arch bridge.
The next day we caught the rickety old public bus to Tissa, which was our base for Yala National Park. Luke's birthday present was for a day safari, it started at 4.30am where we were collected in a converted Toyota pick up truck. We arrived at the entrance of the national park and were immediately swarmed by about 50 other jeeps on similar tours which was a little concerning. We were in search of elephants, leopards and the elusive sloth bear (Baloo in The Jungle Book). Upon entering Yala there was a scramble to get away from all the other jeeps which our driver did quite well, we immediately bumped into brightly coloured birds and herds of wallowing water buffalo by the waterholes. As we drove on further we met a couple of crafty crocs and a massive hornbill type bird with a rather impressive beak. After that the animals dried up a bit much like our dust ridden faces and we were beginning to worry whether our pursuit of the big three was going to happen. We persevered and thank god we did as we turned a corner and much to our delight there were about 10 elephants playing in the mud, it was breathtaking and brought a tear to our eyes. A truly unforgettable moment.
We took a stop for lunch by the Indian ocean on a gorgeous beach, it was our first time at the coast in Sri Lanka and it wetted our appetite for the week ahead along the southern coast of the country.
Lunch was packed up eventually and we headed off hopefully to find the other two beasts in the park. The afternoon was mostly spent absolutely flying around the park after getting tip offs from other drivers of spottings. Every time a call came we shot off in pursuit by this time our backs and bum were in pieces! On the last check of the day we were told there was a leopard just ahead...
Yeah, we couldn't see it either!
We drove back to the gate and bumped in to a couple of male elephants who seemed to hang around on their own, they were enormous compared to the females they were so majestic quietly going about there business.
We left the park feeling pretty good about things and only slightly disappointed to have missed out on the leopard. We tore off down the highway back to our guesthouse for the night where we met three German girls who were staying next door, they hit us with the bombshell that they say a leopard just as they left the national park which was annoying because our driver bombed it home and we missed out but the day was such a good birthday treat, truly an unforgettable day.
Unfortunately after the long day we had to get on a bus to Tangalle at 8.30 in the evening which wasn't ideal especially as the night buses turn into a rave on wheels, but hey ho. This is where we will leave it, onto the coast golden sands looking forward to a cold beer and some more amazing wildlife hopefully.
Luke and Lily
We rocked up to the train station four hours early in the hope of bagging a precious second class reserved seat for the 6 hour journey up to Ella. Alas, the tourists with the big bucks on their pre-booked tours all ready snapped up all the seats which left us with a nervous wait on the platform for a seat in 3rd. As the train arrived we leapt up like Gazelle's and fought our way onto the train and were lucky enough to bag two window seats so we could take in the views. It was well worth the stress! The views were spectacular as the train wound its way through the Sri Lankan hill country.
We arrived in Ella, a bit shocked to find such a busy lively town! It was quite refreshing to be in a town with a bit going on. A few pints and an excellent rice and curry later we headed to bed with big ideas of hiking up Little Adam's Peak for Luke's birthday the next day.
The hike was incredible, we're not natural hikers by any stretch of the imagination so this little peak was a perfect introduction. We were the classic 'all the gear and no idea' in our walking boots and gym gear, as some toddlers passed us in flipflops! As you can see from the views below it was worth the 320 steps up to the top, a great way to celebrate turning 28.
We then ambled through the jungle looking for the railway line and the famous 9 arch bridge.
The next day we caught the rickety old public bus to Tissa, which was our base for Yala National Park. Luke's birthday present was for a day safari, it started at 4.30am where we were collected in a converted Toyota pick up truck. We arrived at the entrance of the national park and were immediately swarmed by about 50 other jeeps on similar tours which was a little concerning. We were in search of elephants, leopards and the elusive sloth bear (Baloo in The Jungle Book). Upon entering Yala there was a scramble to get away from all the other jeeps which our driver did quite well, we immediately bumped into brightly coloured birds and herds of wallowing water buffalo by the waterholes. As we drove on further we met a couple of crafty crocs and a massive hornbill type bird with a rather impressive beak. After that the animals dried up a bit much like our dust ridden faces and we were beginning to worry whether our pursuit of the big three was going to happen. We persevered and thank god we did as we turned a corner and much to our delight there were about 10 elephants playing in the mud, it was breathtaking and brought a tear to our eyes. A truly unforgettable moment.
We took a stop for lunch by the Indian ocean on a gorgeous beach, it was our first time at the coast in Sri Lanka and it wetted our appetite for the week ahead along the southern coast of the country.
Lunch was packed up eventually and we headed off hopefully to find the other two beasts in the park. The afternoon was mostly spent absolutely flying around the park after getting tip offs from other drivers of spottings. Every time a call came we shot off in pursuit by this time our backs and bum were in pieces! On the last check of the day we were told there was a leopard just ahead...
Yeah, we couldn't see it either!
We drove back to the gate and bumped in to a couple of male elephants who seemed to hang around on their own, they were enormous compared to the females they were so majestic quietly going about there business.
We left the park feeling pretty good about things and only slightly disappointed to have missed out on the leopard. We tore off down the highway back to our guesthouse for the night where we met three German girls who were staying next door, they hit us with the bombshell that they say a leopard just as they left the national park which was annoying because our driver bombed it home and we missed out but the day was such a good birthday treat, truly an unforgettable day.
Unfortunately after the long day we had to get on a bus to Tangalle at 8.30 in the evening which wasn't ideal especially as the night buses turn into a rave on wheels, but hey ho. This is where we will leave it, onto the coast golden sands looking forward to a cold beer and some more amazing wildlife hopefully.
Luke and Lily
Brilliant photos.
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