Those of you that have been to Islamic countries know that Muslims are called to prayer over the loudspeakers five times a day, and that mornings can come earlier than expected. This morning the chanting started a little before 5am. No need for an alarm clock - the dogs were howling and the peacocks were singing along. It was quite a dawn chorus! No worries, we needed to be up early anyway for our safari in Yala National Park. Yala is a very popular park, and we thought we got an early enough start but, by time we got there, there were already 30 or so 4X4 Jeeps already lined up waiting for the park to open. So much for beating the crowds.
Once in the park, rumor had it that there was a leopard in one of the trees, and it became absolute bedlam as everyone raced to the same spot (you would think they were handing out $1,000 bills or something!) We saw quite a lot of birds again but the mammals had apparently all gone on vacation
. After a few hours, we'd had enough of that so we packed it up and started our drive to Ella.
Along the way we stopped at Rawana falls, which cascades from 80 feet above. Our hotel tonight is perched on a hillside overlooking Ella Valley with excellent views of Ella Mountain & Little Adams Peak. We are surprised when we are shown our room to find not a whirlpool or a Jacuzzi, but a small swimming pool inside! Guess it's good to know if you can't sleep, you can always do some laps in the comfort of your own room. Could be bad news for sleepwalkers though.
As you know we like to stay active so instead of resting at the hotel, we went for a pretty steep hike to Little Adams peak. The trails here are a bit different than what we are use to. No switchbacks or gradual climbs... just straight up or straight down. I'm always telling Rox that hiking in flip flops isn't a good idea and this is no exception. She still decided to for go it and brought back a black and blue souvenir the size if a small saucer on her bum from a slip and slide (it's too bad because the one she got playing pickle ball was just starting to fade away). No swimsuit poses this month.
After our hike we walked around the quaint town of Ella which seems to cater to hikers by the looks of all the youngsters with their backpacks. I go through a moment of envy, but it's nice to go backpack-less for a change.
After another dinner of good ole spicy Sri Lankan food (I love it! Rox... not so much, but she always finds something she can eat), we go to bed and get ready for our next town... Uva Ben Head (I'm sure that's the English translation).
2/6/17 Yala to Ella
Monday, February 06, 2017
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
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2025-02-11
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John Neff
2017-03-06
Wow you are in the real "Wild Animal Park of San Diego" My fav is the Hoopoe. He/She looks like a fun bird.
Bryan Macias
2017-03-06
You two always have WAY too much fun on your trips! you should make a photo album of all you "bumps and bruises!"
mreasier
2017-03-09
Hi guys. We just got back from South America. Enjoying reading about your latest adventure. Have fun and stay safe. Bonnie & Wayne