We had an early breakfast as the intention was to be on the road by 08:00.
Before leaving our Galle Face Hotel we spent some time in the photographic gallery that displays photographs of many of the famous guests who have stayed at the hotel over the years.
The collection reads like a ‘who’s who’ of prominent authors, royalty, musicians, politicians and film stars. Amongst the names of authors that were displayed were Chekov, D.H. Lawrence, Conan Doyle, Somerset Maugham and Evelyn Waugh. Other names that caused interest included Noel Coward, Gertrude Bell, Che Guevara, President Tito, Mountbatten, Cole Porter, Dave Brubeck and Sting.
Bar, Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
Staircase, Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
The bus we have is spacious and modern with a driver and an assistant driver in addition to our guide.
Apart from two short stops along the way, the five hour trip from Colombo to Habarana entailed a nearly continuous drive through high density urban settings with roadside shops and small businesses on both sides of the road. Needless to say the traffic was dense and at times the overtaking by some vehicles looked exceedingly dangerous although everyone seems used to this style of driving.
Shops en route from Colombo to Habarana
Building en route from Colombo to Habarana
Some shopping sections seemed to specialise in specific goods and as an example we drove for several kilometres and the shops were practically all selling ceramic goods such as tiles, hand basins and toilets. Other districts were prominent for the selling of auto and motorbike spares and others for basket-ware or fruits.
We arrived at Habarana at around 14:30 and checked into our Cinnamon Lodge Hotel. Our accommodation is very impressive and in an expansive garden setting with manicured parklands and a lake to add to the splendour. We were informed that there are around 100 different bird species that have been recorded in these environs.
At 15:00 our group headed for the Minneriya National Park; our transport being two elderly open top Landcruiser and Landrover vehicles that were from the 1980s and had been set up for safari type tours.
Our jeeps, Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana
Jak & Corinne in jeep, Minneriya National Park
Janet, Frances, Sinclair & Janet, Minneriya National Park
The drive though the Minneriya National Park was on a rough 4WD road and after half an hour or so we eventually came to a lake surrounded by expansive grasslands where thirty or so elephants were grazing. These elephants were predominantly females with their calves. Various herds gather in this region between June and August to feed on the lush grass growing in the area around the lake where the water level has subsided. The Indian elephants are smaller than African elephants and have smaller ears, a relatively flat back and a single ‘finger’ at the end of their trunk whereas the African has two. These fingers are for grasping food. Only a few male Indian elephants have tusks.
Elephant herd, Minneriya National Park
Elephants, Minneriya National Park
Elephant, Minneriya National Park
As well as the very healthy herds of elephants we sighted many birds although some were difficult to approach adequately for good photographs. Amongst the birds we saw were fish eagles, bee-eaters, kingfishers, storks, herons, pelicans, stilts and lapwings. Other animals sighted included two jackals and a monitor lizard.
Little bee-eater Minneriya National Park
Kingfisher, Minneriya National Park
Stilt, Minneriya National Park
Banded plover, Minneriya National Park
Jackal, Minneriya National Park
Water monitor, Minneriya National Park
We returned to our hotel and had a buffet style evening meal before adjourning for the night.
Tomorrow we have an early 06:15 start as we are to visit Polonnaruwa which is a UNESCO world heritage site!