Sri Lanka - Day 2

Left the Wallawwa which was a delightful place to stay on our first night. Our tour guide Bundhu greeted us in his Nissan Sunny (bald tyres, one working seat-belt, but good AC), ready to whisk us off on a 5 night tour of Sri Lanka.

First stop was Pinnawala elephant orphanage. We arrived just in time for their procession from the orphanage to the river. Mega touristy (the ubiquitous German tour groups there in strong numbers) but good fun to watch them bathing.

From there to Bundhu's house near Kurunegala - he likes to take his tourees home if there is time, so after stopping to buy a chocolate cake we sat in his garden with his wife, two daughters and various other family members who pitched up, exhanging words about life in our respective countries. The eldest daughter was studying law, and I think enjoyed the English practise. It was all quite sweet really.

Said our goodbyes and made our way to Dambulla for three nights at the Heritage Kandalama hotel - a striking place built into the hillside, like a Bond villain's hideout. A few hours spent by the pool before our buffet dinner - made the mistake of eating inside, so it had all the romance of a Little Chef just off the A406 North Circular... Lukewarm food finished off the ambience, but the cold beer went down a treat.