As we arrived into Sri Lanka, the sun beat down with a welcoming warmth (though the heat index was already in the low 90s!). Today, we arrived in this beautiful island nation, known as Ceylon until 1972. Steeped in history, Sri Lanka boasts a 2,500-year-old civilization and is aptly nicknamed “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”
To put the size of Sri Lanka in perspective, it’s roughly the size of West Virginia or Ireland. Interestingly, nearly 30% of the country is protected land! This abundance of sanctuaries and national parks is precisely why we are here in Hambantota.
Hambantota, a city within a district of the same name, boasts an impressive 20 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks within its borders. One of those is on our agenda today!
The port complex here is a relatively new addition, as the old city was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. A new town was established nearby to continue Hambantota’s rich trading history.
For centuries, travelers from China, Siam (Thailand), and Indonesia plied the Spice Route waters near Hambantota. The name itself might have even originated from this era. Some believe the city’s name evolved from “Sampanthota” (meaning “harbor of ships”) to Hambantota, possibly referencing the large “sampan” ships used by these traders.
The heat was undeniable, but thankfully, the low humidity made it bearable. This region is famous for supplying all of Sri Lanka’s salt, thanks to the extensive network of seawater salt pans.
The highlight of day one of our journey was undoubtedly the much-anticipated safari in Yala National Park. We booked this adventure back in early 2023, knowing it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (although, with our upcoming African travels, another safari awaits!).
The drive to our lunch stop took about an hour. Nestled amidst the bush, it offered a shady haven for a delicious buffet spread of local Sri Lankan meats, soups, and vegetables. Even ice cream (surprisingly refreshing in the heat!) was on the menu. While bottled water wasn’t exactly chilled, a cold Coke Zero (a rare find) was a welcome treat.
After a satisfying lunch, we were divided into jeeps, each accommodating 4-6 guests and a guide. With anticipation buzzing, we were ready to embark on our Yala National Park adventure.
Our Sri Lanka safari adventure was off to a bumpy start, literally! The roads were riddled with potholes, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. We just buckled those seatbelts. We were on the lookout for wildlife, and soon enough, our patience paid off.
We spotted a variety of birds, a giant land monitor lizard (think prehistoric!), and even a giant grizzled squirrel. But the real magic happened right around the corner. An entire elephant family, with a baby just a week old, was majestically crossing the road! We were awestruck, snapping photos from our jeep, completely in awe of these magnificent creatures.
As we continued our journey deeper into the park, we were lucky enough to encounter several more elephant groups, with families of all ages. The sight of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat was truly unforgettable, and the jeep erupted in cheers each time we spotted a new one.
The elusive leopard, however, remained hidden. Our guide explained they’re most active at dawn and dusk, and while it was nearing 6 pm, we had to head back before the park gates closed. Apparently, a late exit meant a giant didn’t want!
Our reward for a successful safari was a delightful barbecue dinner on the beach. The setting was idyllic, with torches flickering as night fell and citronella candles keeping the mosquitos at bay. We were famished, but to our surprise, the food hadn’t even begun cooking when we arrived. Tired and a bit hangry, we enjoyed appetizers and instead of waiting patiently, we decided to have our guide take us back to the hotel. Hot and tired, we made it to our bungalow.
After a much-needed rest in our wonderfully air-conditioned bungalow (almost too cold!), we woke to a breakfast fit for royalty. An incredible spread of fresh fruits and local dishes fueled us up for our next adventure: stilt fishing!
While the idea of balancing on a single, precarious stilt wasn’t exactly appealing to me, the sight of the younger members of our group (and some adventurous adults!) attempting to fish from these rickety perches was undeniably entertaining. The sound of the waves crashing against the Indian Ocean provided the perfect soundtrack to this comical scene.
Sadly, our adventure came to an end, but with smiles still plastered on our faces from the incredible experiences of the previous day. We set sail back towards the ship, another country ticked off our list. But the journey isn’t over yet! Tomorrow, we set foot in India and get ready to be dazzled by the Taj Mahal – stay tuned for more adventures!
May God bless you always!
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 