More Elephants

 We are on the final leg of our travels now. The time has gone so quickly and we can't believe we are heading back to negombo.

At some point we knew we would have to go through or circumnavigate the capital colombo to get back to drop Ruby off in readiness for our flight home. I considered trying to drive through the capital but when the local Tuk Tuk drivers go pale and shake their heads at the prospect I decided to reconsider.  Instead we decided to head inland on a four hour drive to pinnewala.  From here tomorrow it's only a short 2 hour ride back to negombo.

Pinnewala was on our original itinery but we missed it on the outbound leg of our travels. It's home to the government elephant orphanage and is a popular spot to watch the Elephants bathing in the river.  I couldn't get into the hotel that overlooks the river where three times a day the elephant are brought down from the orphanage to bathe. Instead I chose the annexe which are in effect four repurposed shiping containers on a farm close by. It sounds shocking but has worked out a treat. When we arrived the elephants, lots of them were being taken down the road which leads to our container. There was a little confusion as to what we needed to do and after a caffuffle and several calls to the hotel manager we were directed down a very narrow backstreet and ended up following the elephant to the riverbank.

It was great to see but not an easy task due to the elephants, rangers and crowds of eager tourists.  It was complicated by the fact that poor old Rubys clutch cable has stretched a little and it's getting harder to change gear or select neutral. However we managed without running over an elephant or one of the rangers. The container wasn't ready for a few hours so we sat in the bar of the hotel overlooking the river and watched the elephants bathing. Crispy was thrilled. Normally it's 20 dollars per adult to watch the spectacle but as hotel guests it was free. Amazing  considering that the container only cost 18 dollars for the night. Result.

After being showered and washed this big lad would go back across the river and mud bathe. He did it several times. Much to the rangers chagrin.

Eventually when the elephant had had enough water activity they meandered back to their enclosures and we were directed to our "room". 

The containers are a few minutes drive away up a very narrow farm track overlooking some paddy fields. From the outside they look like a forgotten corner of a dockyard but inside are amazing. Really well presented with a/c. Full bathroom, complete with power shower, wifi and even satellite tv.  

On the sun roof of our container

(As we descend into our dotage Crispy has designs on building a container house on the front field of the hovel at Crispy HQ. That way we can live on our own land when we downsize and sell the cottage at minimal ongoing  expense. We intend to explore this option over the next year or two. After having seen what can be done inside a container I'm well up for it)

We showered and chilled before driving Ruby back to the hotel for tea. We got chatting to a Polish family that are in Sri Lanka for a two week holiday. They were good fun to be with and we enjoyed their company. It was good to know that they don't like the Russians either.

 I must admit the food was the worst we have had since being here but we find that is always the case and one of the reasons we try to avoid expensive hotels. The Polish guys told us that their room in the hotel was 120 dollars a night and I am so glad we, by good fortune, got the container.

 After a few beers we took Ruby home to bed. It's a private road so there was no risk or problem driving her back in the dark. Apart from the fact her headlights are pretty useless but we managed without ending up in a paddy field.

In the morning after breakfast, watching the elephants take their morning shower, we head back to negombo and will say good bye to Dear old Ruby.  We are really going to miss her..........

A word about the orphanage. This is a government facility that cares for abandoned or abused elephant. All have been domesticated or used in the tourist trade in the past so none can be released into the wild. As such they are cared for here. Some are so traumatised by their past abuse that they are unpredictable and dangerous both to the other elephant and the rangers. As such these poor guys are chained whilst bathing. The rest are free to wander and do as they like within reason. It's not ideal but apart from euthanize the troubled creatures there is no other affordable option.  The spectacle of them bathing helps fund their upkeep. It is good to see that there is no interaction with the animals such as riding or feeding apart from for a few dollars more you can get in the water with the safe ones and give them a bit of a scrub. They seemed to enjoy it and all look in good condition. At least one was pregnant and there were several happy looking babies busy playing in the water.

Bare and Crispy signing off, Punewalla, Sri Lanka