Tuesday 21

Tuesday 21

Today we head inland and up into the hill country. Although I passed a sign warning of Wild animals, I only saw monkeys, and evidence of where elephants have been. Good drive without any issues on reasonably quiet roads that were quite rough in places., I even had Spotify playing 70s&80s

music to sing and to. Much of the area we're driving through is quite dense jungle and the road for much of the way is lined with small farms and shops selling all sorts of things. Arrived at the glamping stop for tonight quite early, had a swim, some icecream, cold drink, and a massage. All in all a nice relaxing day.

Tuesday 21

I have arrived at Wild Glamping Gal Oya

Monday 20th Arugam Bay & Kumana Safari

The hotel is right on the beach where fishermen launch their boats so there it is intersting to watch them lauch and go out for the evenings catch.

Free day today no driving, so went off on a safari to Kumana National Park, saw lots of birds & quite a few animals including crockodiles, deer, wild boar, Leopard, Sri Lankan sloth bear, Elephants & Water Buffalo.

One of the things that are not provided for in the tour is petrol,  after nearly running out on my first day, I filled up with 7 ltrs for 2900 rupiah which is about A$2 per ltr. I’m also following what many locals do & fill up large drink bottles with petrol and keep it under the seat. Back on the road again tomorrow.

Sunday 19th Pasikuda to Arugam Bay, 150 km

So today I am heading south along the east coast to Bay Vista Hotel, Arugam Bay renowned for its breathtaking beaches and world-class surf breaks, but sthe urfing is not for me.

A mo\uch more relaxed drive today, just taking my time & stopping wherever I want. Came across a styreet procession following what looked like a religious  man running, and it wasn’t Forres Gump. Cows & goats continuosly walking across the road traffic avoiding themthe best they can. I also came across a beautifull christian church, very modern in design. 

Some of the roundabouts have these religious like structures built in the middle. The roads we are travelling  are lined with rice paddies, and lakes where fishermen are netting smaller fish for themselv es or to sell.  Signs waning of elephants along the road, and I di spot one wading through a lake although I’m not sur what it was eating.

Finaly  get th the hotel right on the beach and you wouldn’t know that it was hit by the sunami a few years ago, as I am now sitting on the same beach witing this.

Accommodation for the next 2 nights, the bay vista hotel, Arugam bay. 

And one of the tuktuks lost a wheel. 😥

Saturday 18 th

If you thought that driving a tuktuk was a bit of a cop out and an easy life, think again. It's far more demanding than riding a motorcycle. Today was the first day of the tour setting of at 8 am, and getting to the destination about 3:30 pm. Part of the tour is completing some challenges along the way, I decided that just driving was challenge enough. I got lost and seemed to be driving in circles on some very Bushy tracks for about 30 mins before getting back on the right road. Then nearly running out of fuel, luckily another person from the group showed me the reserve and gave me a bottle of fuel. Saw my first elephant but disappointingly it was rummaging through the garbage dump. So off for a swim and a beer to cool off.

Friday pm

Briefing and tuktuk training this morning all went well, driving is fairly straightforward but manoeuvring is not so, as the rear tends to cut the corner and you have to allow for that.

Had a swim and now relaxing by the pool with a cold beer. Back massage booked for this afternoon then group dinner tonight, it's good to just sit back for a while as it will be full on tomorrow.