Welcome to Sri Lanka and Nellie the Elephant -

Well after 6 weeks in India, Sri Lanka seemed like a breeze - less pollution and poverty, better infrastructure (though much more expensive).

Sri Lanka's a pretty cool little country to do in a 2-3 week holiday, as its got culture, lush green mountains, safaris and beaches... and unlike India, nothing is too far by public transport. Sri Lankan's are also alot more laid back then Indians (not to mention better looking!)

Due to our lack of planning (as per usual) we got there in the middle of both the monsoon season as well as the general elections, so not only did it rain on our parade(atleast once a day!!!!); but there was the general fear of riots and curfews if the elections didnt go well - thankfully neither happened but it was a tense few days.

We got to Sri Lanka on the 20th Nov and stayed for almost 3 weeks. The first few days we stayed in the capital, Colombo with Pam (a relative of one of Vanessa's dad's work colleagues), which also helped to save some money. Pam made us feel at home right away...so much at home that I was soon put to work cooking dinner and reorganizing kitchen cupboards! But, it was so nice to be there and have the feeling of some kind of home after spending so long in guesthouses.


After Colombo, we then made our way to Kandy by train (thankfully alot more comfortable and nowhere near as long as it took getting from A to B in India).

We stopped midway to visit Pinewala Elephant Orphanage, which houses about 70 elephants. It was the most amazing sight to see them in the natural habitat bathing in the river, especially the baby's playing with each other while their parents watched carefully. It helped to make up a bit for the fact that we had gotten to Sri Lanka outside of the Safari season.