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Today we travelled to Pinnawala. We booked a Taxi, and our chatty, informative driver, 'Sampath' risked his life (and ours) to get us here. Having experienced China's driving and lack of road rules….we felt we were 'hardened' to the perils of crossing roads and travelling in taxis. We were wrong. Sri Lanka is on another scale altogether. When driving, do not stick to one side of the road, do pass on bends, do not give way to anything unless it is MUCH bigger than you, toot a lot and...I suggest you pray. As a pedestrian….pray harder…. and longer!
On our journey Sampath stopped and bought us a King Coconut each. We were given it with a straw, and we dutifully drank it (with me doing a sneaky switch as soon as Rich had finished his as I couldn't drink it all...and I wasn't that enamoured with it). The seller then took them back from us, ceremoniously chopped them open and told us to 'eat' the inside. With a crude 'spoon' we scraped the white gelatinous, slimy goo from the shell and ate it. Apparently it is a cure for all stomach upsets (I was concerned that is exactly what it was going to cause!!!).
Our arrival at Pinnawala was timed to perfection. As we went to check-in to our Hotel, the siren sounded. This was to announce the elephants were on their way to the river for bathing time. I stood in awe and watched as they walked past into the water. So close I could have touched them! We then stood on our balcony and watched them bathe right below us. I was enthralled and we later went down to the riverside and watched them some more….and then some more :) Magic! And it will happen all over again tomorrow. I can't wait!!
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