Travel Eat Drink Like a Local

This is the Day 2 of the trip. We were told it's best we were in one of the first few vehicles to enter the Yala National Wildlife Park in any given day. Therefore will have the best chances of seeing most of the animals. Roaring sounds of vehicles tend to send the animals far in to the thicket. We woke up early and was ready by 4:00am. a row of safari vehicles were lined up outside the hotel. We were in the second vehicle in line. Form Tissamaharama to Yala National Wildlife Park takes less than an hour. Here's few pictures taken en route: A paddy field engulfed in early morning mist Herd of cattle Lotus galore in a giant wewa(tank) When we reached Yala National Park it was still dark. The counter than issues passes for the vehicles was not open. As I remember they open at 6am. There was a small queue that had already formed. Our well seasoned driver/guide took care of these logistics. In the meantime there is a small exhibit you can peruse and also it's a...

We booked a hotel in Tissamaharama for 2 nights. Hotel Safari overlooking Tisa Wewa. The stay was fantastic. It's one of the most clean hotels I have ever been to in Sri Lanka. Consider I'm comparing the cleanliness to American standards. After living in the United States for a very long time, no matter how much I love Sri Lanka, I battle with cleanliness and hygienic standards when I'm there. Day 1 On the way from Matara to Tissamaharama you pass the coastal area along the Indian Ocean as well as grand paddy fields. This hotel in Tangalle is built like a cruise ship A farmer plowing with a hand held machine  Paddy Field in its early stage   Here's our hotel in Tissamaharamay: Hotel Safari.  We reach here late afternoon and plan to drive around and proceed to Kiriwehera and Kataragama Skanda-Murukan Temple for the evening puja. View from Hotel Safari Lobby  Few feet off our room next to a thousand year old Nuga Tree  Entr...