This was to be a day with no formal activities planned. It consequently gave everyone a chance to catch up on mundane tasks such as washing, responding to emails and writing up diaries as well as resting, reading, chatting and/or investigating our camp surrounds.
A late breakfast being at 08:00 was followed for us by a concerted effort to label photos from previous days and to integrate these into our blog. All was going well until the Wi-Fi failed to respond and we decided that things could subsequently wait until we are nearer ‘civilisation’.
Our group at breakfast, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Our safari tent, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Jak catching up on the blog in our safari tent, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
After a relaxing morning in ever increasingly hot conditions, cold beers at lunchtime seemed eminently appropriate and were followed by napping in our somewhat cooler tents. We were conscious of Noel Coward’s advice that “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”.
Thorny acacia flower, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Thorny acacia flower, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp grounds
With somewhat cooler conditions now prevailing, at 16:00 some of us went on a bird photography trek with two of the camp staff. We wandered around the tracks near the campsite and managed to get good photos of some of the local birds including the golden oriel and the imperial pigeon.
Golden oriel, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Golden oriel, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Common myna, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Imperial pigeons, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
The hot windy conditions meant that our washing dried very quickly and by evening we were pleased to have caught up on as many tasks as could be achieved considering our isolated location.
Being our last night in camp, the staff very kindly prepared a delicious barbecue meal. We really appreciated the effort they made for us and everyone enjoyed the meal.
Staff cooking barbecue dinner, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Barbecue dinner, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Sujith, barbecue dinner, Ruhunu Yala Safari Camp
Tomorrow we have a 05:15 start with an early morning safari to another park area famous for its bird diversity. Later in the morning we head westwards to Galle and beyond.