Friday, February 17, 2012

SRI LANKA PART TWO: THE JUNGLE

Woohoo! Another post not 6 months after the last one.... :P

So, after we left the coast, we headed to Embilitipata, a small town near Udawalawe Park. After driving there, we settled into our old and dilapidated hotel, which was hosting a Sri Lankan wedding when we arrived, a very interesting sight to see! That afternoon, we set off on a safari to see wild elephants and birds.
Water buffaloes

Baby elephants :)

Chilling in the safari jeep

Peacock showing off!
Water birds
Lots of elephants!!!

The next day, we set off for the rainforest at Sinharaja, a UNESCO world heritage site because of the astounding variety of bird species endemic to Sri Lanka found there. It was a long drive to get there, and for part of the way we had to take a jeep, but it was definitely worth it.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and the lodge we stayed at was situated on the edge of the preserve, right by some fabulous birding!



Driving to Sinharaja. Passing the mobile bakery! (It plays Fur Elise... kind of like an ice cream truck thing...)

The Sri Lankan Junglefowl, an endemic bird, and also the national bird of Sri Lanka

Giant Squirrel chilling out in the tree

The view from the lodge

Into the jungle!

Butterfly-- the Ceylon Tree Nymph

Another Sri Lanka endemic bird--the Blue Magpie

Looking into a pitcher plant

The blue magpie has killed a watersnake and is eating it!

The lodge kitchen--where our delicious Sri Lankan meals were made
Snake hunter??!!! Holding a bronze back tree snake--it's non-venomous ;)
Next up, Kandy and the Hill-Country... And then, the temples and the Cultural Triangle... and then, the maldives. Hope you enjoy!!!













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