22/4/11

Got up early for a breakfast in which I actually drank a cup of tea (for those that didn't know I never liked it)! Caught personal taxi to Tangalla at about 11.15 in what was a long, yet scenic drive through the Sri Lankan countryside. Saw lots of water buffalo which in this part of the world they use as cattle, along with a variety of birds, picturesque tea plantations, forest and even stopped for a spot of cricket where my spin bowling and batting was world-class!

Egg and spicy veg roti (best way to describe is a doughy pastry with a filling) filled me up for lunch followed by a bland mufffin, costing a magical total of around 60p. It was a good deal and that was probably a tourist price as the locals always get it a shade cheaper! We then prepared for our walk in the Sinharaja rainforest, and as I literally opened my mouth to say: "I'm going to bring my waterproof", the heavens opened.

Luckily our driver gave us umbrellas which prevented us from being soaked in the torrential weather. The tuctucs took us on a bumpy, narrow ride to the start of the walk where our guide lathered us up with salt around our shoes and ankles to deter pesty leaches! And within seconds, Tracy had a couple nibbling on her legs leaving small bites and a bit of blood to show!

The scenery on the walk was fantastic. From the towering trees, to the winding canopies, monkeys swinging in the tops, spiders in their giant webs, toucans, millipedes, snake (green-pit viper which we thought was fake at first!), colourful lizards, waterfalls, rivers, giant trees, naked indigenous people bathing in the heavy rain and children walking home from school back to their forest homes or being carried on scooters! The only downside was the wet and that everyone was conscious about leaches and checking their legs and shoes constantly! I disposed of plenty trying to work their way up my boots! We were about to delve further into the forest but there was a crazy charge for just one hour as it was the same price for an for the rest of the day or for the next 2 days (but we were moving on).

Jack waded with the guide through a waist-high river to see another waterfall but I couldn't man-up for it and didn't fancy taking off and re-applying my socks, shoes and more salt. Back in the village by around 5 or 6, we bought more goodies for our late drive to Tangalla. Another roti, a small loaf of bread and a swiss roll had to do for me.

In Tangalla, we rocked up at Sandy's Cabanas that was pure paradise. It was dark, but you could fall out onto the sand and hear the waves crashing whilst sitting on a hammock looking up at the heights of the gangly palm trees and the stars. Tracy spotted a rat inhabiting the high walls in her hut, so me and Jack let her and Wilf stay in the other and we befriended the rodent who didn't cause any problems. There were plenty of spiders and ants around the resort too, but we were unfazed.

As we were late they offered us a beautiful, big tuna at a deal, which we devoured with rice, chips and salad, and of course for me, washed down with a fanta.