Sri Lanka Rally 2020 | Day 3 and 4 – Galle and Galle to Yala | Bespoke Rallies
On our day off in Galle we woke up to clear skies and bright sunshine. The tropical rainstorm the previous night had cleared the air. We spent the morning on a walking tour of Galle Fort led by our local guide Roy. Galle Fort is a fortified old city surrounded by thick ramparts that you can walk along. The architecture reflects the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, there is a lighthouse on the south easterly tip built by the British.
In the afternoon everyone took the opportunity to wander the narrow streets within the fort which are lined with gem shops, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
We had a leisurely start the following day. Soon after leaving Galle we passed the local fishermen on stilts. The lunch stop was at a restaurant next to a lagoon and a small medicine garden. A very informative guide showed us around and gave demonstration with his natural creams and potions. The afternoon route took us though villages and paddy fields. We drove through Bundala National Park where we saw water buffalo and a huge variety of birds, including great egrets, Asian open bill, ibis, painted stalk and wild peacocks and hens. This area was flooded in the Tsunami.
Just before turning into the track road for our hotel John and Fen encountered a number of cars that had stopped by the roadside. A leopard had been spottedand they were lucky enough to see it in the distance sitting on a rock.
Finally we reached our destination, the Jetwing Yala Hotel. We were warned not to venture out onto the beach after dark due to the wildlife that roamed the beach including elephants and leopards. We had a very pleasant evening meal sitting outside on the veranda and an early night ready for the 5am start the next day to visit Yala Safari Park.
The jeeps arrived at 5am and set off in darkness. Soon after we set off we experienced a tropical thunder and lightening storm. Whilst another leopard was not spotted we did see a herd of elephants with a very young baby elephant, a crocodile and again a huge variety of birds. Everyone returned to the hotel tired and wet but ready hearty breakfast.
For the rest of the day everyone was free to relax, enjoy the hotel facilities and the beach.
