Columbo, Sri Lanka

Sea Date March 28, 2024

Sri Lanka

Well, another long day. We met at 745, gallery bar, to head out with Buddhi, a tour guide known and recommended by Laurie and Lydia. 

On the way we stopped for snacks - pineapples for our bus of swingers!

First stop a small town where elephants regularly traverse the streets to access the water spot. While there we learned how elephant dung is turned into paper. People are ingenious.  It is very good for the environment because it saves trees.

Next to an elephant orphanage. This is NOT the infamous one where chains are used but one that cares for old elephants who can no longer survive in nature usually because of teeth issues. What a once in a lifetime event. Sheryl and I got into the river with these majestic animals and bathed and scrubbed them. Lydia and Karen hopped a ride.

Brave for me who is usually the worrier!

Tea factory.  Mr Lipton made Ceylon tea famous around the world. 

Buffet lunch. Julie and Debbie wonder why we follow them.

Since we spent so much time in the mini bus, I took many photos of the landscape. 

Long drive to a spa center, Jasmine Villa, where we all got massages. Kevin, Monica,  Jim and I deepened our friendship.  Those pineapples were predictive.

Evening Lotus Tower.





    
                                                            Beautiful dancers greeted us.

    
                                                                    Lotus Tower

    
                                                            Tom looking out for us!





    
                                               Elephants walk through town daily heading to the river.


























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