Anniversary trip to Yala
By Nilu Rajapakse
Four years ago, on a beautiful sunny morning, the unexpected, the unthinkable happened. We waited helplessly, as we watched tragedy fall on many of our fellow brothers and sisters. It was the 26th December, a Poya-day, and a day like any other when it dawned. But in just a few hours, everything that was improbable happened. Some like us, were lucky. We were given another chance, to rethink about our existence, to question our morals, and to live out our dreams.
I will not go back to that day, except to recall the terror that we felt and the tears that flowed for the fallen and the affected. But I will mention that we spent a glorious day at Yala National Park just the day before. As we rode out of Yala I remember thinking how good life was. If we only knew, it was just another day, in Paradise..
Traveling Back in Time
Marking the Lunar Anniversary, 4th to be exact, on the 11th of December, the same group of friends made our way to Yala. Buddhi, Preveen, Hiranya, Gamindu, Ruwan and I started off at daybreak, in two groups, with all our camera gear and essentials. We took the Ratnapura – Timboketiya – Udawalawe – Thanamalwila – Tissamaharama route.
Passing Udawalawe Dam
We found the trip uneventful, except when passing the Udawalawe park border we were attracted by a Solitary Elephant resting from the hot mid-day sun. I couldn’t resist a capture of the moment, and although the attraction for a quick visit to Udawalawe was great, we moved on with bigger ambitions to Yala – our ultimate wildlife destination of this trip.
Udawalawe Elephant
We arrived at Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama at 12 noon just in time for lunch. Sadly, we had brought with us a rain cloud. Our itinerary for the day was was not ambitious, as we planned to, metaphorically, devourer Yala the entire of next day. Having arrived on a working day, we found the Hotel pleasantly deserted, and we dined immediately.
Travelling down the Udawalawe road
Lunch was not remarkable, but six hours of traveling had given us healthy appetites. A sudden decision to visit a nearby archeological site in Yatala, Debarawewa became a interesting prospect for some of us. So we hastened to the small museum, which stands next to the serene Yatala Chaitya, just 3 km from Tissamaharama.
The Priyankara pool was alluring in the dusk hours and some of us tested our swimming (and floating) prowess. Although the wet weather prevailed, we enjoyed watching the raindrops hit the pool surface that glittered in the artificial light. The water was warm, the air was very cold, and it was magic.
Priyankara Hotel pool view
Early next morning by 5.30 a.m. we sat for breakfast. By 6.00 a.m. we were off to intriguing Yala National Park, which haunted us since our last visit. Traveling in the back-opened jeep in the early the morning breeze was utterly refreshing as we went in anticipation and apprehension. Our driver took a short – cut to the Park from Tissa, and we first arrived at the security checkpoint. After the security stop next came the park office the usual formalities. We got our guide, and entered Yala.
From the moment we set in, we could observe that Yala was thriving. It was thriving with greenness, and with life. The rain the day before had settled the dust, and the clean air revived us as we went down the familiar terrain.
Our jeep driver proved to be a smart navigator, a patient chauffeur and a sharp observer of wildlife.
Our first greeter was non other than the majestic Asian Elephant - Elephas Maximus. Calmly walking on a side of the road, the elephant paid no attention to its ardent fans.
A little further ahead we spotted a Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) sniffing out food in a green pasture. It was a decent view and the best one we have had upto date. The Wild Boar are herbivores and the male has upper and lower tusks while the female has none. When in a group, they are called a 'sounder of boar'.
A Spotted Deer - Axis axis ceylonensis - hid from us behind a bush. Also called Sri Lankan axis deer it is a subspecies of axis deer (Axis axis) that inhabits only Sri Lanka. They are considered vulnerable as they are hunted by humans and their territory in decreasing. Wild boar in large numbers or herds are only found in the protected wildlife sanctuaries. Its natural predator is mainly the Leopard, but it also falls pray for the sloth bear and the Jackal. The Sri Lankan Spotted deer is not called the Chital. They usually graces close to langur, peacock and sambur. We deduced that this is a safety mechanism. When a predator closes in the peacock would give out its usual loud, alarming call which is ample signal to the deer.
Crocodile
Developing story….
