May 2009 was an opportunity to visit a remarkable place called Ritigala Kanda (Ritigala Mountain); The mountain is now a sanctuary and is a well known bird  and butterfly paradise.Steeped in ancient history and that dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Marvelous ruins and amazing in the realisation that a thriving monastic community built their abodes here such a long time ago            

Left: The great historic flagstone path that leads to the top of the Ritigala Mountain. It is best to take a guide on these tours. There are a number of caves in the area too of ancient history. The drive to Habarana was equally picturesque . We based ourselves in Habarana and took the opportunity to also visit the Minneriya National Park to see the famous herds of elephants that gather there each year. As two of the families were staying at an Eco Lodge at Galkadawela, we also enjoyed some great bird watching on the banks of the Galkadawela Tank. We were fortunate to spend a couple of hours watching 40 elephants feeding at Minneriya. Some great 4×4 driving was also done to get across the river to observe the elephants. Left a female elephant and calf strolling the Minneriya .plain. Below: A giant squirrel greets me in the driveway to the Habarana Hotel driveway.

 4×4 driving across a waterway in Minneriya National Park. The crossing certainly added to the thrills of the day. Going back across was even more eventful as many others had followed our lead to get closer to the elephant herds and the river bed was a little deeper than when we arrived.

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Elephant Reach: Kirinda, a great and convenient place to stay. Close to Yala and Bundala Nat: Parks

January 2009 presented another great opportunity to travel around Sri Lanka. My close pal Weli and I were joined by young Raehan: a budding photographer with a keen eye. Our travels took us to Passara, Bundala National Park, Kuda Oya, Tissa Lake and on to the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary North of Chilaw and further North West to the Kalpitiya Peninsula and the Puttlam Lagoon some great photo ops were by all. By far the highlight of the January tour was the spectacular display of Spinner Dolphins at Alankuda, on the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Green Turtles and flying fish were also abundant.

As usual some great meals were also had in the local kades’ (road side cafes’). A fresh hot serving of String Hoppers and Kiri Bath complimented by a very tasty fresh water fish curry went down very well after the early morning drives into the Parks and forests. A wide spectrum of birdlife was also noted; namely, garden and forest birds, waders, water birds, storks, birds of prey, and Egrets. Below: the ‘Kade’” where we enjoyed  the meals. Right: Five kilos of fresh Seer Fish at Karukupane fish Market. Just off the boat.

We also enjoyed the sightings of smaller mammals and reptiles at the various locations.

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The trip to Sri Lanka in January 2008 took in Kitulgala, Horton Plains National Park, Yala National Park, Bundala Bird Sanctuary and Kuda Oya. Weli was ‘chief guide’ for the trip, Ali joined us from New Zealand and Eric linked up with us at Kuda Oya. Kitulgala was the first stop in an attempt to photograph the Palm Civet Cat. We learned on our arrival that the adult Civet had been killed by the resident dogs however,a juvenile still frequented our friend’s residence and garden. A bait of ripe bananas did not bring any success, but the bait was gone by 5 am the next morning. Bad luck. A ferry ride across the Kelaniya River for a hike into the thick forests the next morning was an experience. Many leeches latched on to us at various parts of the body. Ali learned that ‘leech protective socks’ meant nothing as the leeches climbed the socks and latched on to his stomach. Had the pleasure of seeing a Spur Fowl, lousy photo opportunity, but a good sighting. Egrets, Water monitor, Black-hooded Oriole, Taylor Birds, Red Vented Bul Buls and Sun birds were observed.

A large troop of Toque monkeys observed on the Ginigathena road to Horton Plains. Some good shots obtained. Ali realised a little later that he had dropped a 17-55mm Cannon lens. The standing joke for the rest of the day was that surprised pedestrians would be shocked to see the Toques looking at them through a camera lens…talk about role reversals!! Heavy persistent rain followed us all the way to Horton Plains. One main road being closed due to the rains.

A one hour walk in Horton Plains NP did not reveal much in terms of wildlife. Cameras had to be protected from the persistent rain. Great atmosphere with thick fog and rain. More in line with the English Moors than tropical Sri Lanka. Got some great shots of Sambhur; one with a magnificent set of antlers. Missed out on seeing any Purple Faced Leaf Eating monkeys, a pity as I was keen to photograph them. We stayed at Anderson Lodge within the Park. Due to the rain we cut short the stay and headed down to Tissa to take a trip into Yala NP. Good shots of Toques on the Beragala-Welawaya road, turning off at Haputale’. We had the best feed of hot hoppers ( a flour based, roasted, pancake type food very popular in Sri Lanka) and plain tea with jaggery ( cane syrup hardened,a substitute for sugar) at a roadside Kade’ (cafe’) on the same road. Super food and hot off the stove!

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Temple Of The Tooth; a centerpiece attraction in Kandy. At dusk across the Kandy Lake.

Egrets  in breeding plumage-Galigamuwa

Rajah; According to the locals the largest Asian Tusker alive. About 65 years old, unable to work anymore as his magnificent tusks drag the ground. He can be seen at Mollagoda on the road to Kandy. A truly magnificent pair of tusks.

A leisurely drive to Kandy on a warm Sunday afternoon was a pleasant trip. The usual traffic congestion evidenced on the Colombo-Kandy Road was at a minimal and my wife and I enjoyed the drive, stopping often to photograph things of interest to us. The obligatory stop at the Ambepussa Rest house for a superb cup of “Ceylon Tea” was a refreshing break. An abundance of Cattle Egrets and Indian Pond Herons, beautifully adorned in their breeding plumage dogged farmers who were preparing the paddy fields. The ploughing of the fields no doubt turning up plenty of tit bits for the birds. We stayed at the Thlianka Hotel for the third year in succession. My wife booked in for the Ayurvedic Massage and spa treatment (also for the third year in succession) and we enjoyed that part of the stay at the hotel. A nice hotel and well situated within walking distance to Kandy Town. Kandy was pleasantly cooler and surprisingly less congested than it was on our previous visits. The famous historic Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy Lake at dusk was a most pleasant sight as usual. The Lake seemed(to me) to have more varieties of ‘animal life’ than usual too. Cormorants, Egrets, Fox bats, Water Monitors, Ducks, Terrapins and Herons habited the Lake shores in reasonable numbers.

Kandy continues to have a charm about the place. One needs to rise above the obvious congestion and traffic chaos to grasp the charm of the place. A great many antique shops and a great variety of fruit stalls in the colorful Kandy markets and street bazaars provide for the traveler with an eye for the unusual. The gleaming white statue of Lord Buddha atop the hill at the Bahirawa Temple glowed in the late afternoon sun adding to the ambience of Kandy below)

A short trip to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens after many years was very pleasing indeed. Marvellous collections of botanical specimens for any enthusiasts are displayed with pride.

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

The return to Colombo was equally interesting. We were able to purchase

some very fine Pineapples, Avocados and Mangos from the roadside stalls for very reasonable price

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