tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23275194752057675012024-03-13T12:56:08.600-07:00Monkey CampVatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-47706226462502049232011-06-14T00:28:00.000-07:002011-06-14T00:30:28.203-07:00VideosVatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-38847285966639304492011-06-12T00:08:00.000-07:002011-06-13T01:24:15.497-07:00Adams Peak and it's residents.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkCmfnmO5Hg/TfXBWFaMgaI/AAAAAAAAA1M/riqkv4i4USo/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkCmfnmO5Hg/TfXBWFaMgaI/AAAAAAAAA1M/riqkv4i4USo/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617608695367893410" border="0"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzpaWs2ZSxM/TfXBXqnl0RI/AAAAAAAAA1s/SXuSatokNzs/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzpaWs2ZSxM/TfXBXqnl0RI/AAAAAAAAA1s/SXuSatokNzs/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617608722536059154" border="0"></a><br />The last day of the climb for the season is Vesak Poya <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdmw03_YuZc/TfW1dOytYFI/AAAAAAAAAz8/YFk4OaJsnHo/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdmw03_YuZc/TfW1dOytYFI/AAAAAAAAAz8/YFk4OaJsnHo/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617595624006180946" border="0"></a>day, falling in the month of May in any year. 2011 May is no exception and there is a decent crowd arriving by afternoon for the climb uphill with approximately 4800 steps to the top. Samanala Kanda in Sinhalese translated to butterfly mountain, is a 2243m high Buddhists believe that at the top of the mountain is the foot print of Buddha and the Christians, Adam and the Muslims and the Hindus, the lord Shiva.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0RDFwAt7OM/TfW26JD2GGI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jJ7xCMB1K3w/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0RDFwAt7OM/TfW26JD2GGI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jJ7xCMB1K3w/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617597220195276898" border="0"></a><br />You can surely plan and execute trips on a whim! Most of the travels we set out for are to see monkeys, with a few exceptions. The others are for monkeys and other wild animals. Most of these journeys end up with the camera full of a few people photos and hundreds of colourful money photos as half the monkey shots were taken with a camera set to shoot distant landscapes with dull colours. Because of this the settings are warm and the ISO high and the monkeys come lit up as Christmas trees.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So we leave Colombo by 7am, pretty late for people who get up at 5am to leave by 6am. Takes forever to travel in to the mountain range. The roads arer perfect till you reach the 35km road to Nallathanniya from Ginigathhena. The condition of the road makes it impossible to rech even 40kmph in an SUV.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdzdTPe8MD8/TfW256NtoXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/b-3GFJco4dQ/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdzdTPe8MD8/TfW256NtoXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/b-3GFJco4dQ/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617597216210133362" border="0"></a><br /><br />Beware of the bad road! or mechanics' poor shoddy work. We started to hear noises as soon as the vehicle hit the 'bad' road. Sounded like the front wheel as loose from the axle and was going to fall apart on us. Towing is costly business. The guy in the picture runs a small service station at the junction of Maskeliya and can be trusted to do a few things right. But of course he couldnt pin what was wrong with our SUV. (sure! later we find out that a spring has been placed backwards and was not holding the brakes properly.. or some such thing)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPWfGmQIylE/TfW25oIm-8I/AAAAAAAAA0E/3GgLi1x5keA/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPWfGmQIylE/TfW25oIm-8I/AAAAAAAAA0E/3GgLi1x5keA/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617597211356888002" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ5fO4OgV2Y/TfW8FhzM9iI/AAAAAAAAA0k/ypk7ifZCNxI/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ5fO4OgV2Y/TfW8FhzM9iI/AAAAAAAAA0k/ypk7ifZCNxI/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617602913373058594" border="0"></a>The roads are littered with tea pluckers going about their morning work. Their garb is colourful though the people themselves look withered and aged beyond their actual calendar age. The working conditions are harsh in these areas.<br /><br /><br />We stay at Wathsala Inn, a mere 300m from Nallayhianniya Police station and the base car park area for Adams Peak. What we enjoyed the most at the inn would be the food prepared at a moments notice and the generous quantities and the varieties provided. Rice and curry meal would comprise of at least 6 curries and Papadam with white rice or fried rice. All meals were served at the restaurant over looking the wonderful view of the monastery far away on top of Peak Wilderness mountain range's Adams Peak.<br /><br /><br />It <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVfiMvwPoww/TfW485q0saI/AAAAAAAAA0c/98Ini9WD514/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVfiMvwPoww/TfW485q0saI/AAAAAAAAA0c/98Ini9WD514/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617599466626658722" border="0"></a>was purely a mission to see monkeys as none of us even half heartedly had ideas to climb to the top, headed off by 3.30pm to the base to see if we can spot some toque macaques before they head off to their sleeping tress. The path is clear and well lit with deafening noise blessing the people climbing to worship the foot print of Buddha and admosnishing them about littering, harassing others and making noise. Of course there is so much noise coming from the loud speakers that it is impossible to make any noise above that. W scream at each other whenever we reach one of the tree tied speakers.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsx-I2JfBVU/TfW8GGUqtlI/AAAAAAAAA00/EWuGPNiaVUc/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsx-I2JfBVU/TfW8GGUqtlI/AAAAAAAAA00/EWuGPNiaVUc/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617602923177096786" border="0"></a><br />Slightly Chilled is another restaurant/inn conveniently located very close to the Nallathani town.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Walking quickly as the light fades and darkness engulfs the landscape, we spot of our first group of monkeys, the mountain purple faced langur. They sit merrily and eat young leaves of a giant rain tree. We only saw about 4animals the entire 2hours we stayed around making notes of them. There was no more time to see other monkeys and we were rather worried about over tiring ourselves for the drive back to Colombo the next day.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dB_HXy1QY4s/TfW8GmMBxnI/AAAAAAAAA08/Pt8820PSwb8/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dB_HXy1QY4s/TfW8GmMBxnI/AAAAAAAAA08/Pt8820PSwb8/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617602931730794098" border="0"></a><br />Monkey watching is not for the faint hearted. Some never move and the others never stop to pause. They live and eat differently. We only managed to spot two species of primates up in the Adams Peak. The Purple faced langur and the toque macaque.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LG1rBjmdEp8/TfW8F-J2sQI/AAAAAAAAA0s/j4m8_-ExA9o/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LG1rBjmdEp8/TfW8F-J2sQI/AAAAAAAAA0s/j4m8_-ExA9o/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617602920984260866" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mohini falls<br /><br />Sleep comes in doses, road noises reduce by 10m as all the pilgrims are by then reached the base of the peak ready for their ascent. The sounds of the Kalani river creeping down to the ocean from it's heights too penetrates the walls and crawls through the cracks of the windows. Waking up around 5, we head off to the hills for more monkeys.<br /><br />There are so many people coming down from the peak and some of them have that glazed look in their eyes of pushing their bodies to the limits and endorphins running amok within. There was on old man of about 75, helped down by a group of young men. He managed to tell them he is from a far away village in Monagarala and then collapsed with fatigue at a boutique sleeping. The army officers promised that they would see to it that the old man helped in to a bus that would take him back home, once revived and nourished. All in all an achievement for the man who at his age climbed to worship another faculty he believes in.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odRK26afgCg/TfXBWTsIp2I/AAAAAAAAA1U/9Q__R0geSjk/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odRK26afgCg/TfXBWTsIp2I/AAAAAAAAA1U/9Q__R0geSjk/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617608699201234786" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br />We took the steps two at a time in places as we knew it was a struggle with time for good photograpghs. monkeys sitting an feeding at anytime in trees are hard to capture on film and if there is no help from the light it gets more difficult.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuA14pFiM34/TfW8Gy7oCeI/AAAAAAAAA1E/1K5LSRA8uB8/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuA14pFiM34/TfW8Gy7oCeI/AAAAAAAAA1E/1K5LSRA8uB8/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617602935151659490" border="0"></a><br />Jackpot at Seethagangula! a small troop eats garbage and sits facing the Peak Wilderness with it's back to us.<br /><br /><br />The TM had a long hair do and the fur colour typical of the sub species living up country. We never had the opportunity to observe them for a long period. it was difficult to take a count or check for the amount of infants carried as they descended the hill from us at such a speed fleeing from the shop keepers who would throw rocks at them.<br /><br />The light is too bright and too exposed to shoot these remarkably nimble creatures who display a tired weariness to the people around them. We heard from the Wild Life department official Mr. Munasinghe, that these creature come way down to the valley to raid their vegetable plots and to hand around the other fruiting trees and that when the season for the climbs arrive, the shopkeepers harshly chase all these animals away from their products.<br /><br />With promises to come during the off season, we say good bye to the kind officials of The Wild Life office in Nallathanni. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KU6u0BZBdvA/TfXBWl6aMSI/AAAAAAAAA1c/_FeinjsDVlc/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KU6u0BZBdvA/TfXBWl6aMSI/AAAAAAAAA1c/_FeinjsDVlc/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617608704092942626" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is a beautiful country and it is so easy to forget how we take the environment for granted and tarnish every available landscape with our garbage. Educating the public in masses would be the way to go if there was someone ready to take the challenge. On the way back to Colombo around 7pm, the roads were inundated with some of the heaviest traffic we had ever encountered. Vesak Pandals!!! People drove everywhere! Walked everywhere and hooted at any thing in skirts and even threw rocks and passed telephone numbers to other people in the adjoining vehicle. It was quite the embarrassing spectacle of our future generation behaving like lunatics.<br /><br />I do not get to travel to other countries very often, but I do watch TV. After the earth quake in Japan, some of the cities in the eastern coast did not have power or food supplies for days. When the lorries and the aid agency vans rolled in carrying supplies, people of all ages, made lines, stood in a queue to receive the portions handed to them.<br />I also read that, when one of the newly provided power lines did not hold, and the electricity supply was terminated for a few hours, the shoppers in a small supermarket, put back the items in their grocery buckets back on the shelves and walked out of the store. No one stole or looted or damaged their city. No one stopped helping clear the debris till every bit was removed and was out of sight.<br /><br />We too are a Buddhist country, more Buddhist values and cultural heritages than we can remember and practice. so then why do the young behave as they have no respect for any human being, even themselves and the adults behave like 'that' is the right of a young person to behave ???Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-28242864516112821972010-08-03T03:09:00.001-07:002010-08-03T03:25:53.097-07:00Summer is here, at last.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/TFfrhGMYhGI/AAAAAAAAAzU/W1iSSF3dFjM/s1600/Packed+Group.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/TFfrhGMYhGI/AAAAAAAAAzU/W1iSSF3dFjM/s320/Packed+Group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501124423687111778" border="0" /></a>
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l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >Association for the Conservation of Primate Diversity<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b style="">(Smithsonian Institution Primate Biology Program)<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size:180%;">New Town, Polonnaruwa</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">
<br /><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" align="center">Telephone: 027-222-2552, 0777 282 700. dittus@sltnet.lk</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" align="center">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" align="center">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Guided tours by professional field biologists:</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><b style=""><span style="font-size:11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">1.<span style=""> </span><u>Study tour of monkey society</u>:<span style=""> </span>A unique opportunity to observe the soap opera lives of monkeys as depicted in the documentary film “<st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Troop</st1:placename></st1:place>” under special guidance of experienced monkey researchers. Cost: US$ 15 per persons (6-10 am, and 4 to 6 pm)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This tour within the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Reserve includes sighting of ruins of ancient temples and palaces.<span style=""> </span>For foreign nationals the entrance fee to the Archaeological Reserve is US$ 25 per person payable to the Central Cultural Fund at Polonnaruwa.<span style=""> </span>Locals enter for free, but vehicle cost is Rs 100 per vehicle. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">2. <u>Loris at night</u>: Observe the elusive nocturnal primate at night (6:30 – 8:30 pm). <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">3.<span style=""> </span><u>Bird observation tour</u>: Learn about the rich bird life of the dry zone (about 150 species) and add that rare migrant to your life list. (6-9am, or 4:30- 6:30 pm). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">4.<span style=""> </span><u>Lake Boat Tour</u>: (water birds and fishing) Boat hires US$ 60 (6 adults maximum per boat) Boating times, 6-8 am or evening 4:30-6:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">5.<span style=""> </span><u>Elephant safari</u>:<span style=""> </span>Jeep tour of Minneriya or <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Kaudulla</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">National Parks</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Get close to large herds of elephants and other wildlife. Jeep hire (4-6 persons per jeep) is US$45 per jeep.<span style=""> </span>National Park entrance is US$ 15 per foreigner, or Rs 60 for locals.<span style=""> </span>National Park jeep entrance fee: Rs 1,000 for foreign tourist jeep or 400 for Sri Lankans.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>Meals</u></span><span style="font-size:100%;">: Our guests have labeled us as a “Vegetarian Paradise”:<span style=""> </span>We serve traditional Sri Lankan rice and curries cooked in clay pots.<span style=""> </span>Fresh lake fish is served almost daily.<span style=""> </span>Meat is available on request.<span style=""> </span>We offer: <span style=""> </span>western and eastern breakfasts, Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch, western or eastern dinners, and afternoon tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>Beverages</u></span><span style="font-size:100%;">. We serve soft drinks, beer or some hard liquor on request.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Accomodation</span>.<span style="font-size:100%;">3 bedroomed house (12pax) Lodge (4pax) <span style="font-size:85%;">Inclusive 1 A/C room and 3bedrooms with Hotwater</span></span>
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>Local additional activities</u></span><span style="font-size:100%;">:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">Swimming and bathing in lake<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">Nature walks and meditation in quiet forested surrounding on shores of Parakrama Samudra<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">Visit to the Gal Vihare and other ancient religious shrines within the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Reserve (Central Cultural Fund).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Archaeological</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> at Polonnaruwa (entry cost included in CCF entrance ticket)</span></li></ul>
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<br />Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-78735277375750686252009-06-26T10:02:00.000-07:002009-06-26T10:14:23.676-07:00Related Sites<a href="http://www.outboundholidays.com/?p=2905">http://www.outboundholidays.com/?p=2905</a><br /><a href="http://books.google.lk/books?id=_-MOaksvLQ8C&pg=PA347&lpg=PA347&dq=observing+toque+monkeys&source=bl&ots=ZTo4cnNLXK&sig=ky3oIPd5NOfIgbpgxzcXgSP57B8&hl=en&ei=zvlESs_YOpWGkQXem5SpDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9">http://books.google.lk/books?id=_-MOaksvLQ8C&pg=PA347&lpg=PA347&dq=observing+toque+monkeys&source=bl&ots=ZTo4cnNLXK&sig=ky3oIPd5NOfIgbpgxzcXgSP57B8&hl=en&ei=zvlESs_YOpWGkQXem5SpDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9</a><br /><a href="http://www.ri.net/schools/Smithfield/Ripley/srilanka/">http://www.ri.net/schools/Smithfield/Ripley/srilanka/</a><br /><a href="http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/monkeying-around-in-sri-lanka-with-the-adventure-company-104491.php">http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/monkeying-around-in-sri-lanka-with-the-adventure-company-104491.php</a>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-33909686701335150112009-01-18T21:43:00.001-08:002009-06-30T00:30:10.098-07:00CHILAW<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUPi7ITMI/AAAAAAAAAwE/l3SyrbAsETg/s1600-h/DSC_0647.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292877719372582082" style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUPi7ITMI/AAAAAAAAAwE/l3SyrbAsETg/s400/DSC_0647.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUPxdDjjI/AAAAAAAAAwM/XP08f_xgM4Q/s1600-h/DSC_0654.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUPxdDjjI/AAAAAAAAAwM/XP08f_xgM4Q/s1600-h/DSC_0654.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUPxdDjjI/AAAAAAAAAwM/XP08f_xgM4Q/s1600-h/DSC_0654.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292877723272973874" style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUPxdDjjI/AAAAAAAAAwM/XP08f_xgM4Q/s400/DSC_0654.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUQHfqHEI/AAAAAAAAAwk/AtCw_iFcetM/s1600-h/DSC_0676.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292877729189469250" style="width: 400px; height: 301px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUQHfqHEI/AAAAAAAAAwk/AtCw_iFcetM/s400/DSC_0676.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUP4Vi7gI/AAAAAAAAAwU/B4prWJWFnEw/s1600-h/DSC_0656.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292877725120523778" style="width: 400px; height: 246px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUP4Vi7gI/AAAAAAAAAwU/B4prWJWFnEw/s400/DSC_0656.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUQEGl6cI/AAAAAAAAAwc/FgH55-AMy24/s1600-h/DSC_0662.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292877728279030210" style="width: 400px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQUQEGl6cI/AAAAAAAAAwc/FgH55-AMy24/s400/DSC_0662.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>My favourite part of the day was the picnic at a secluded beach.<br /><br /><br />The beach didn’t have the super soft sands of the Mirissa or Weligama beaches, south of Sri Lanka would have and the bedrock coasting the land would make the waves crash high with such resplendence, spilling frothy droplets of water over our feet making them cool in the early afternoon warmth.<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_7eOCBI/AAAAAAAAAxM/IJg14Vh6Tfc/s1600-h/DSC_0682.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292879650107557906" style="width: 214px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_7eOCBI/AAAAAAAAAxM/IJg14Vh6Tfc/s320/DSC_0682.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also, visited the Munneswaram Kovil. There was no one to ask questions about the history of the kovil or of the religious rituals which was a shame. The whole newly built section is standing around the ancient, maybe 900AD, old Siva Devalaya with a Siva lingam around it. In that case this should be a place visited mainly by couples who had trouble conceiving and then come to fulfill their vows. As was evident by the people who thronged the place with little babies screaming for air and/or milk.<br /><br />Then of course there's the God Vishnu's Kovil and to this people would pray for protection. It says in the Mahawansa, (history of Ceylon) that when Lord Buddha was on his deathbed one of his wishes and requests to the God of all Gods (Shakra), was to appoint a God to look after Ceylon a country his religion would prevail. As God of all Gods did not have sufficient time to handle this responsibility, apparently he entrusted it to God Vishnu. And from then on, Sri Lanka formally known as Ceylon is under the protection of Vishnu.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV__eEuEI/AAAAAAAAAxE/dnQYGXUZwC8/s1600-h/DSC_0681.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292879651180689474" style="width: 320px; height: 245px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV__eEuEI/AAAAAAAAAxE/dnQYGXUZwC8/s320/DSC_0681.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Vishnu<br /><a name="vishnu"></a>Vishnu, the god of home and family values, represents stability and order. Vishnu is recognizable by the four symbols he often carries: the discus, conch, club, and lotus.<a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html"> </a>The discus and club are both weapons, signifying his absolute might <a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html#vishnu"></a><a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html#vishnu"></a>in destroying evil. The lotus represents fertility and regeneration, the nourishment of <a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html#vishnu"></a><a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html#vishnu"></a>the soul that occurs through devotion to this deity. The conch shell is blown in India like a trumpet during many sacred rituals. <a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html#vishnu"></a><a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/pujaonline/puja/vishnu.html#vishnu"></a>It is considered to make the purest sound, from which creation springs. In Vishnu's hand the conch symbolizes purity and auspiciousness. In paintings and prints, Vishnu is often shown with blue skin to accentuate his otherworldliness. A stylized representation of his footprints appears on his forehead. This V-shaped symbol of the god is also applied in sandalwood paste to the foreheads of worshipers of Vishnu during puja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_tYXOnI/AAAAAAAAAw8/37HoOWhauB0/s1600-h/DSC_0669.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292879646324898418" style="width: 320px; height: 218px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_tYXOnI/AAAAAAAAAw8/37HoOWhauB0/s320/DSC_0669.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQW-vPrNwI/AAAAAAAAAxc/uQyfU32WeeQ/s1600-h/DSC_0679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292880729157089026" style="width: 394px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQW-vPrNwI/AAAAAAAAAxc/uQyfU32WeeQ/s400/DSC_0679.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_RZv7WI/AAAAAAAAAw0/xln4Ij9ouas/s1600-h/DSC_0668.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292879638814518626" style="width: 262px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_RZv7WI/AAAAAAAAAw0/xln4Ij9ouas/s320/DSC_0668.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>This is how is works – you enter the premises and is instantly a web of vendors descend upon you advising you on the Pooja, or the offering you ought to do. This is mainly cut or whole fruits in season, a cleaned coconut and some money for good measure on a aluminum (silver) platter or a weaved basket. You take your offering and stand in line or present it in unison with the other devotees or wait your turn depending on which God you worship. Then the priest would ask your name or what you intend to bless or vow and would say a lengthy or short prayer according to your wish and hand you back a portion of your offering after taking the other part as the offering to the God. Then you can light your oil lamps, incenses and finally crack your coconut at the appropriate place. We was people from all walks of life at the Kovil. From a very poor people to a family who looked quite affluent to a Police officer from the Chilaw PD. Everyone was friendly and stared all the time. Just like if they were any where else, really, the attention span is so poor.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQW-XY7gEI/AAAAAAAAAxU/qwHQg_qTdw8/s1600-h/DSC_0684.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292880722753454146" style="width: 400px; height: 302px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQW-XY7gEI/AAAAAAAAAxU/qwHQg_qTdw8/s400/DSC_0684.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_J1YgnI/AAAAAAAAAws/UX3SxorUVVg/s1600-h/DSC_0667.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292879636782940786" style="width: 258px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQV_J1YgnI/AAAAAAAAAws/UX3SxorUVVg/s320/DSC_0667.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Just above the small cubicle where a few ancient statues of Vishnu sits, there's a statue of magnanimous proportions of King Rama, the Hindu demon King of Sri Lanka, that Vishnu slays after a fierce battle. Also, all over the walls there are other depictions of 'avataras' or deities of Vishnu in evil forms not done anywhere else, the gory details are horrific and amazing. It's a place you can stay for hours watching the rituals taking place with the people, some looking quite possessed by the sound of the drum beat, symbol and the tinkling bells, swaying to the prayers sung by the priests in "vetti's."<br /><div><br /><div>The journey form Negombo to Chilaw takes 45min to 1.15hrs. depending on the traffic. It's approximately 42kms one way. there are petrol stations at every big town maybe every 15km or so and the road surface is excellent with one lane per direction which can be a little hard to over take buses and lorries who can be a little stubborn and selfish and use one and a half lanes to travel.<br /><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQW-tyXtSI/AAAAAAAAAxk/VdcUJ5_R4Pw/s1600-h/DSC_0671.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292880728765740322" style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXQW-tyXtSI/AAAAAAAAAxk/VdcUJ5_R4Pw/s400/DSC_0671.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-26241413447540667802009-01-18T03:25:00.000-08:002009-04-09T22:25:58.694-07:00Thotupola KandaThis is how we spent the 2nd day of the year of 2009!<br /><br />We decided it was the day we would finally try to climb the 3rd highest mountain in Sri Lanka. The most climbing is done by your poor vehicle, dodging all the horrific pot holes that even a young sambar can use as a pool to lie in on a hot day: also true that the walk only takes an hour of climbing more or less depending on your personal fitness.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMxyGwShsI/AAAAAAAAAvs/1GJK22_YxYk/s1600-h/DSC_0628.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292628723966838466" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMxyGwShsI/AAAAAAAAAvs/1GJK22_YxYk/s400/DSC_0628.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Tothupola Kanda is the, documented, landing site of King Ravana's flying machine, the Demon King that ruled Sri Lanka about 3000years ago. He hears of Sita, the beautiful wife of Rama in India, (a diety of Vishnu) and kidnaps her and brings her back in his flying machine. Rama arrives in Sri Lanka, battles fiercely with Ravana's armies, kills Ravana and flees with his wife.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwZroovBI/AAAAAAAAAvk/3JciTlqt5CI/s1600-h/DSC_0621.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292627204858493970" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwZroovBI/AAAAAAAAAvk/3JciTlqt5CI/s400/DSC_0621.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We started late. That was our only mistake. By the time we entered the open area we were baking in the sun despite the heavy layers of Nivea Sun Block that offered +30 SPF protection from the sun. the path leading to the summit has several diffrent vegetations, the large trees and dense thicket is<br />supplanted by dry gorse bushes and open land for over 1km. There's no shade on the path and this stretch is one that ought to be done really early or after 3pm, when the sun hides over clouds.<br /><br />The view all the way is spectacular! In ten square metres there are 20 trees with more than 20 colour variations just like the butterflies we saw. Deep thick green leaves to the softest pink new leaves on a very small bush. The edible fruits that the birds seemed to consume to the dark red flowers on the large bushes. The summit is marked with an unnamed tower for communications and sits there like it doesn’t belong there, and it doesn’t. all the hill tops that your eyes can see are topped with the same gifts by men.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwZN7DeYI/AAAAAAAAAvU/a9CNH514pz0/s1600-h/DSC_0614.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292627196882680194" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwZN7DeYI/AAAAAAAAAvU/a9CNH514pz0/s400/DSC_0614.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There were two places we saw the droppings of the big cats, the leopard. The most interesting thing we saw in regard to animals. One looked fairly new too. We didn’t hear any other animals but encountered a flock of birds about 1/3 of the way down in a bush. The largest bird being the Yellow Eared Bulbul.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwY9hlleI/AAAAAAAAAvM/4SARerNCpH0/s1600-h/DSC_0611.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292627192480896482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwY9hlleI/AAAAAAAAAvM/4SARerNCpH0/s400/DSC_0611.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There ought to be a notice board by the gates to the park, where the Department of Wildlife and Conservation issue tickets to paths and tracks available to the visitors at the plains. It's very rarely that anyone visits the Kirigalpotta or Thotupola Kanda. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX4hcP3JI/AAAAAAAAAu8/b_ixXO4GzoY/s1600-h/DSC_0608.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292600246907427986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX4hcP3JI/AAAAAAAAAu8/b_ixXO4GzoY/s400/DSC_0608.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Last August when we visited Hortain Plains, the path to ThotopolaKanda wasn’t cleared but now it is. There are two markers by the Dept of Wildlife, 500m along the path and the other a few more metres beyond. this being the only summit to the east, the chances are slim to get lost.<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwYli8K7I/AAAAAAAAAvE/cilJYOqJxAU/s1600-h/DSC_0609.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292627186044119986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwYli8K7I/AAAAAAAAAvE/cilJYOqJxAU/s400/DSC_0609.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had a wonderful time climbing up. I was wearing layers of clothes as it was 16degrees down when we left the jeep but once I passed 200metres the heat got unbearable and I kept shedding layer after layer of clothing till I was in one sweat top. Our 8year old found a walking stick to help him climb the hazardous parts, short legs makes climbing 3 feet rocks a little arduous. But he was in good spirits the entire way down, running down the path and enjoying himself immensely.<br /></div><div>Wolf made us walk slowly at a steady pace so that we wouldn’t stop all the time but boy was he wrong! We stopped at every opportunity we got and refused to take another step and solemnly vowed that we will go back to the jeep and that he was a dictator to make us do this!? A human rights violation and all that! but after we climbed to the summit, and saw the clouds below our eye levels, we had to agree it felt really good to have done it!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX4QpkkwI/AAAAAAAAAu0/D5YQa4-xLT8/s1600-h/DSC_0607.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292600242399908610" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX4QpkkwI/AAAAAAAAAu0/D5YQa4-xLT8/s400/DSC_0607.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX4ZL9XSI/AAAAAAAAAus/pXl8OWDmtaI/s1600-h/DSC_0604.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292600244691623202" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX4ZL9XSI/AAAAAAAAAus/pXl8OWDmtaI/s400/DSC_0604.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX3r8bbrI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ODtw7dVJCn0/s1600-h/DSC_0597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292600232546889394" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX3r8bbrI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ODtw7dVJCn0/s400/DSC_0597.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX2g7rKdI/AAAAAAAAAuc/6Zl1Pn7lnIg/s1600-h/DSC_0596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292600212411066834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMX2g7rKdI/AAAAAAAAAuc/6Zl1Pn7lnIg/s400/DSC_0596.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are standing above the clouds. The breathtaking view for the east.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwZlPB51I/AAAAAAAAAvc/-c9fD9UCfSU/s1600-h/DSC_0620.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292627203140478802" style="WIDTH: 372px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMwZlPB51I/AAAAAAAAAvc/-c9fD9UCfSU/s400/DSC_0620.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The walk up the summit takes only 2hours or so. We were back eating our packed lunch in about 3hours time as we spent quite a time recording the magnificent views with the digital camera. </div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMxyZ6dE5I/AAAAAAAAAv0/q6HGG3927dY/s1600-h/DSC_0629.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292628729109746578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMxyZ6dE5I/AAAAAAAAAv0/q6HGG3927dY/s400/DSC_0629.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMxys-NgMI/AAAAAAAAAv8/4UTUshIgllw/s1600-h/DSC_0631.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292628734225776834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SXMxys-NgMI/AAAAAAAAAv8/4UTUshIgllw/s400/DSC_0631.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Road to Ohiya. </div><div>Mid way from Park entrance gate to Ohiya ticket counter we saw the bear monkey or the Hill Zone Purple Faced Langur and flocks of birds. The Hill White eye being the most prominent bird , the Gray headed canary fly catcher, dull blue fly catcher and the coucal. The palm squirrel in these parts are also darker in colour and would be seen darting around in the bush. </div><div>But the most amazing bird I personally saw was the Blue Magpie! We had stopped on our way down from the Pattipola Ticket gate as we heard birds and then was amazed to hear it's gutteral croak in the thicket. And behold..there it was in all it's splendour! Large and impressive but shy as hell. </div><div>This made the whole journey worthwhile. I dont know when we would go back to the plains, but I certainly would want to walk around more on the road leading to Pattipola and looking at birds and the wildlife than doing the walk to Baker's Fall and to World's End.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-36922817019205592172009-01-12T02:58:00.000-08:002009-06-26T09:17:46.656-07:00Goods' train to Heel Oya station from Ambewela - The Real Thing!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm-X08p9I/AAAAAAAAAuE/saVI1QpXIAk/s1600-h/DSCN4802.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365040266618834" style="WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm-X08p9I/AAAAAAAAAuE/saVI1QpXIAk/s400/DSCN4802.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>In case you wonder how you can spend another day in Nuwara Eliya without your kids pestering your for more pony rides and you are done with the Queen Victoria park, and want to do something different we can recommend that you take the same Goods train from Nanu Oya station, the closest the Nuwara Eliya (7km) or to Ambewela (12km) from Nuwara Eliya town and head off to Bandarawela on the train. It's not the Bullet train or the Euro star so, keep the expectations low and DO empty your bowels and bladders before entering the train station with a snack lunch and you are good to go.<br /></div><div>The train tickets from Ambewela to Bandarawela costs less than Rs 35 per adult. And worth every penny if you want to snap pictures or sit and take in the view. The kids can't disturb you as it's impossible to hear each other over the din of the metal wheels of the train over the steel lines. Hopefully they would be captivated, like our child did. by taking down the heights above sea level at each station and counting the 14 tunnels out of 45 on the journey toward Badulla on this track.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj6kZBURI/AAAAAAAAAsc/t7HzcNdwtUc/s1600-h/DSC_0448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290361676384784658" style="WIDTH: 347px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj6kZBURI/AAAAAAAAAsc/t7HzcNdwtUc/s400/DSC_0448.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">This is the highest point on this track. Unfortunately you can trust the locals to vandalise and erase the numbers on the board for fun!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div></div><div>This is the list (part of it) my 8year old listed on the way<br />Ambewela 1828m (5997')</div><div>Pattipola 1891m (6204')<br />Ohiya 1774m (5820')<br />Idalgashinna 1615m (5298')<br />Haputale 1431m (4695')<br />Diyathalawa<br />Bandarawela<br />Heeloya</div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj6XFbBVI/AAAAAAAAAsU/HJcpS1cUICw/s1600-h/DSC_0465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290361672812922194" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj6XFbBVI/AAAAAAAAAsU/HJcpS1cUICw/s400/DSC_0465.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Our friendly Station Master introduced us to his friend, the SM for Ohiya, Mr. Charith Saranga, also out of Colombo University who showed us the signal changing equipment on the tracks and the telegraph machines still used by the up country railway lines.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm-B-LzXI/AAAAAAAAAt0/hez1xWDM-fk/s1600-h/DSCN4786.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365034399780210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm-B-LzXI/AAAAAAAAAt0/hez1xWDM-fk/s400/DSCN4786.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The most popular station down the track is the Pattipola. Sitting at 1891m it was around celcius 15degress at 10.45in the morning on 2nd January 09 when we arrived at the sation.</span></div><div><br />When the train arrived at the Ambewela station he invited us to travel with him in the Guards' Carriage. The guard for the day on the Goods train to Badulla was Mr. Sunil Kumarawansa, a veteran on the tracks and he kindly spent sometime explaining about the brake systems and the mountain range. An avid birder, he is a member of the Ornithology Club run by the Colombo Zoo and was very descriptive about the places where one can hike to see the birds.<br /></div><div>He knew each mountain by name and the location the district line is between the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla andof the provincial line of the Uva and the Central Province. For 1st time travelers on this line we appreciate Mr. Sunil Kumarawansa's unbridled enthusiasm about the job he does, surely for quite a low salary and for the extensive knowledge on the Geography on the area he works. He's an asset to the railway. Too bad they don't use him to give a running commentary on the landscape that whizzes or crawls by depending on the incline.<br /><br />Unfortunately, with him, we got to experience our 1st on-site rail accident. A drunkan man in his 50s was hanging on the arm rails on the train, collided with a water line pole, used earlier for giving water to the steam engines long time ago when in operation, and fell off the train at the edge of the railway platform at Haputale Station. The man was rushed to the closet Hospital and we all stayed on looking helplessly while the whole episode unfolded at a snail's pace as it normally does in such a situation. </div><div>The SM for Haputale and the very nice engine driver for the Goods train were sufficiently mad at the hapless creature who got drunk and delayed their train. But was kind enough to let us climb into the engine to look around.<br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm9Sp_30I/AAAAAAAAAtk/BiT2tBvgc5Q/s1600-h/DSC_0578.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365021698645826" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm9Sp_30I/AAAAAAAAAtk/BiT2tBvgc5Q/s400/DSC_0578.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />Though we didn’t have time to write down the names, less space than the Space Station in one of these engine! The engine we were in was a German engine and one of the fastest on the tracks.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl63DYgBI/AAAAAAAAAtc/TotAqPmqzuk/s1600-h/DSC_0571.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363880417558546" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl63DYgBI/AAAAAAAAAtc/TotAqPmqzuk/s400/DSC_0571.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Henschel Thyssen (Kassel W.Germany). 1650hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Still in operation.<br />Builder : Henschel-Thyssen Germany<br />Weight : 87 tons<br />Power : 1650hp GENERAL MOTORS V12 12-645E (2 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 16<br /></span></div><div> </div><div>The Sri Lankan Railway owns and runs many engines down 8 main lines - Main line, Matale, Coast, Kelani Valley, Putlam, Northern, Battiocaloe and Trincomalee. We were fortunate to learn about a few of these engines while waiting for our train to depart the Bandarawela station.<br /></div><div>M1 – English engine<br />M2 and M4– Canadian Engine<br />M5 – Japanese Engine<br />M6 – German Engine (the engine that pulled the Goods rain we were on)<br />M7 – British Engine<br />M8 – Indian Engine<br />M9 - French Engine<br /><br />The most powerful M6 German engine which is over 50years old, is capable of pulling a load of 4000 tonnes and generates 1,600 horse power. There are three types of brakes that are located in the engine room, the emergency brake, brakes for the carriages and the parking brakes. This engine has 6gears and airbrakes and run on the dynamic throttle. And the Power throttle pulls the engine forward.<br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div> </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Diesel Locomotives of Sri Lanka<br />Locomotive classification<br /></span><br /><br />Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Electric) - Class M<br />Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Hydraulic) - Class W<br />Suburban DMU's - Class S<br />Narrow Gauge - Class N & P<br />Shunters - Class Y<br /><br /><br />M Class Locomotives<br />M1<br />Brush Bagnall (British) 1,000hp. Currently not in service, 25 locomotives were imported to Sri Lanka from 1953 onwards. Phasing out of service started in 1983. Most of the locomotives are scrapped and a few remains beyond salvagable condition in Ratmalana workshop.<br />One locomotive No. 560 is parked in Running Shed Dematagoda almost intact, which could be restored back to running condition.<br />Visit <a href="http://www.brushlanka.0catch.com/" target="_blank">Brushlanka</a> website for further information<br />Builder : Brush Bagnall UK<br />Weight : 88 tons<br />Power : 1000hp Mirrlees V12 JS12VT (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 25<br /><br />M2<br />sub class (M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d)<br /><br />General Motors (Canada) GM-567 1,425hp Imported to Sri Lanka from 1954 onwards. The most efficient locomotive in the SL Roster. Almost all locomotives are still operational.<br /><br /><br />Builder : General Motors Canada<br />Weight : 79 tons<br />Power : 1425hp GM V12 12-567c (2 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 14<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>M3<br /><br />Locally Manufactured 'Jayanthi' Class locomotive. 2 engines (180hp x 2) taken from Class S1 was used for this locomotive. Locomotive is non operational and scrapped.<br />Builder : Sri Lanka Railway<br />Weight : 46 tons<br />Power : English Electric 6 cylinder 180hp x 2 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 2<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>M4<br />MLW (Canada) Alco Bombardier MX620. Longest locomotive in the SL Roster. Imported 1975 onwards Still operational.<br />Builder : Montreal Locomotive Works Canada<br />Weight : 93 tons<br />Power : 1750hp Alco Bombardier V12 12-251C3 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 14<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>M5<br />Hitachi (Japan) 1600hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Some locomotives repowered with Paxman engines classified as M5B. Some with "Caterpillar" 3516 DITA engines and re-classified as M5C. Still in operation<br />Builder : Hitachi Japan<br />Weight : 66tons<br />Power : 1640 MTU-Ikegai V12 12V652TD11 (4 stroke)<br />M5A - 1150hp MTU V12 (4 stroke)<br />M5B - 1150hp PAXMAN Velanta V12 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 16<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>M6<br />Henschel Thyssen (Kassel W.Germany). 1650hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Still in operation.<br />Builder : Henschel-Thyssen Germany<br />Weight : 87 tons<br />Power : 1650hp GENERAL MOTORS V12 12-645E (2 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 16<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>M7<br />Brush Bagnall (British). 1000hp. Imported in 1981 to coincide with Queen"s visit to the Island. Still in operation.<br />Builder : Brush UK<br />Weight : 67 tons<br />Power : 1000hp GENERAL MOTORS V8 8-645E (2 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 16<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>M8<br />sub class (M8a)<br /><br />WDM2 (Varanasi India). 2600hp. First batch Imported in 1996. Second batch classified as M8A Slightly shorter in length than the first batch. Still in operation.<br />Builder : Diesel locomotive works Varanasi India<br />Weight : 110 tons<br />Power : 2600hp ALCO V16 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 10<br /></div><div> </div><div>M9<br />Alsthom (France). 1800hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 2000. This locomotive faced various problems (electrical/mechanical) initially, now somewhat slowly adapting to the local environment. In operation.<br />10 Locomotives were imported to Sri Lanka. Currently only 3 locomotives are in running condition.<br />Builder : Alstom France<br />Weight : 100.56 tons<br />Power : 3220hp derated to 1800hp ALSTOM RUSHTON DIESEL 12 RK 215T (4 stroke)<br />Rated rpm : 1000 rpm<br />Idle rpm : 400 rpm<br />Max speed : 110km/h<br />Axle load : 16.76tons<br />Fuel tank capacity : 5000 litres<br />Sand box capacity : 480 litres<br />Minimum curve radius : 100m<br />Total number of locomotives = 10<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>W Class Locomotives<br />W1<br /><br />Henschel Thyssen (W.German). 1150hp. Imported in 1969. 10 locomotives were completely rehabilitated with Caterpillar 3512 DITA Engines, Voith L 520 Transmission with dynamic braking added to transmission. Also colour scheme changed to blue & white. Rehabilitated locomotives were re-classified as W3. In operation.<br />Builder : Henschel Thyssen Germany<br />Weight : 61 tons<br />Power W1 : 1150hp Paxman V12 12YJXL (4 stroke)<br />W3 : 1100hp CAT 3512 DITA V12 (4 stroke)<br />Transmission - VOITH L 520 R U2<br />L - Locomotive transmission5 - Circuit size index2 - No of Torque converters0 - No of fluid couplingR - ReversingU2 - Model No<br />Total number of locomotives = 45<br /><br /><br />W2<br />Karl Marx Werks (E. Germany). 1500hp. Imported in 1969. In operation.<br />Builder : VEB<br />Weight : 65tons<br />Power : 1578hp PAXMAN V16 16YJXL (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 15<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>S Class Locomotives (DMU's)<br />S1<br />English Electric (British) Powered set. Two 180hp engines per locomotive. Not in operation and the locomotives were scrapped due to the heavy corrosion incurred running on the coastal line. Engines were installed in M3 Locomotive.<br />Builder : English Electric<br />Weight : 94 tons<br />Power : English electric 180hp 6 cylinder x 2 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 3<br />S2<br />Schindler (German) Diesel Hydraulic. 790hp (4 stroke). Imported in the 1950"s Non operational.<br />Total number of locomotives = 15<br />S3<br />Machinenfabrik (German) Diesel Hydraulic. 880hp. Imported in the 1960's Non operational.<br />1 DMU is in operation running local service between Galle & Matara<br />Builder : MAN Germany<br />Weight : 47 tons<br />Power : 880hp MAN V12 L12V18./21 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 25<br />S4<br />Machinenfabrik (German) Diesel Hydraulic. 1000hp (4 stroke). Imported in the 1960"s Non operational.<br />Total number of locomotives = 5<br />S5<br />Hitachi (Japan), 775hp (4 stroke). Diesel Hydraulic. Tourist excursion train. In service<br />Builder : Hitachi Japan<br />Weight : 158 tons (total train with coaches)<br />Total number of locomotives = 4<br />S6<br />Hitachi (Japan), 1165hp. Diesel Hydraulic. Imported in 1975. Operational mainly on the recently Broad gauged "Kaleni Valley" Line.<br />Builder : Hitachi Japan<br />Weight : 51 tons powered unit only<br />Power : 1165hp Paxman V12-12YJXL (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 10<br />S7<br />Hitachi (Japan), 1020hp. Diesel Hydraulic. Very similar in appearence to S6. Operational mainly on the Broad gauged "Kaleni Valley" line, with limited runs on the mainline on less peak time. Imported in 1977.<br />Builder : Hitachi Japan<br />Weight : 54 tons powered unit only<br />Power : 1020hp Cummings V8 KTA-2300 (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 10<br />S8<br />Hyundai (Korean), 1150hp (4 stroke). Diesel Hydraulic. Imported in 1989. Currently In operation. This DMU has a remarkably high acceleration rate from zero to 60mph.<br />Builder : Hyundai Korea<br />Weight : 55 tons powered unit only<br />Total number of locomotives = 20<br />S9<br />Chinese MTU, Diesel Electric 1150hp (4 stroke). Imported in 2000. Currently in operation. Capable of running with Electrified overhead cables (Pantographs not installed in local units). Driver has a VDU with engine status indication.<br />Total number of locomotives = 15<br /><br />N & P Class Locomotives (Narrow gauge locomotives)<br />N1<br />KRUPP (W.German). Imported in 1953. Not in operation. Diesel Hydraulic 490hp<br />Total number of locomotives = 5<br /><br />N2<br />KAWASAKI (Japan). Imported in 1973. Not in operation. Diesel Hydraulic 600hp<br />Total number of locomotives = 3<br /><br />P1<br />HUNSLET (British). Imported in 1950. Not in operation.One Locomotive was acquired by Colombo Municipal and was used as an amusement park train in "Viharamahadevi Park" Colombo. Currently seems to be in abandoned status. Mechanical transmission, 130hp<br />Total number of locomotives = 4<br /><br /><br />Y Class Locomotives (Shunters)<br />Y<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;">HUNSLET (British). Imported in 1969. In operation. Diesel Hydraulic 530hp<br />Builder : Hunslet UK<br />Weight : 45 tons<br />Power : 530hp Rolls-Royce V8 DV 8T (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 28<br /></span></em><br />Y1<br />Sri Lankan Railway Built. Manufactured 1972 Not in use - Diesel Hydraulic 1000hp. Same powerplant as S6 and W3 used (Paxman 12YJXL)<br />Builder : Srilanka Railway<br />Weight : 52 tons<br />Power : 1000hp Paxman V12 12YJXL (4 stroke)<br />Total number of locomotives = 7<br /><br /><br /></div></span><div><br />We were also told that the railway owns 20feet margins along the whole track and that the Railway has the authority to remove all the shanty houses and other illegal developments along it's lines. </div><div><br />Another thing everyone is fascinated by is the horn or whistle of the engine driver and the cabby or the engineer. They sound the horn at unsafe rail crossings, around blind bends, when approaching stations and when they see people or animals on the tracks. Our son had the privilege of hooting the horn whilst on the engine and he was thrilled to sit on the Engineers seat and look out. </div><div> </div><div>Down in Negombo where we live, the shanty houses located only 200m from our home, are only 3feet away from the track and we always hear the Engine Driver leaning on the whistle as he passes this stretch daily at all time of the day. When you sit in the engine as high as it is and has a bird's eye view, one can imagine the plight of the driver to see children and adults sit on tracks and moving away only when the train is 5metres away. Just as people here lack a healthy respect for the cars and buses on the road, same disrespect goes to the railway! <br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm-LR-pVI/AAAAAAAAAt8/TzZw0ktFoi8/s1600-h/DSCN4800.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365036898723154" style="WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm-LR-pVI/AAAAAAAAAt8/TzZw0ktFoi8/s400/DSCN4800.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes, sometimes the jouney is THIS dismal when the delays stretch for hours and not minutes.</span></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj629D0QI/AAAAAAAAAss/7A2aCH-1Bo0/s1600-h/DSC_0469.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290361681367781634" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj629D0QI/AAAAAAAAAss/7A2aCH-1Bo0/s400/DSC_0469.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the exchange of the Tablet, the permission slip to travel from one station to the next on a single line. See, when our train starts at Nanu Oya the SM would hand over a small copper tablet which states the name of the originating station and the next station down the line, and the number the track uses. This copper piece is put into a leather pouch and then that is hung and locked on a circular wire also, padded with learther for easy handling. This pouch is then handed over to the, say, Ambewela SM who would keep it with him to hand over to the next train that arrives at his station who would be traveling up to Nanu Oya, no two trains would have the same tablet at any given time. </div><div>The British invented this system and is used today and would carry on for the next decade and over. </div><div><br /><div></div><div>Couplings<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsnlH8kXaI/AAAAAAAAAuU/o7K4uFNsaFs/s1600-h/DSCN4812.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365706018512290" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsnlH8kXaI/AAAAAAAAAuU/o7K4uFNsaFs/s400/DSCN4812.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the mechanism for the couplings and the vaccum brake hose. All this is done manualy by an engineer at the station when engines are removed to shunt.</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6WhOv9I/AAAAAAAAAs8/-in2BYRP6ms/s1600-h/DSC_0555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363871684378578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6WhOv9I/AAAAAAAAAs8/-in2BYRP6ms/s400/DSC_0555.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6YJ4gCI/AAAAAAAAAtE/uJ7Sl7mhw0E/s1600-h/DSC_0557.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363872123322402" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6YJ4gCI/AAAAAAAAAtE/uJ7Sl7mhw0E/s400/DSC_0557.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the coupled engine and the carriage<br /><br /><div></div><div>We traveled all the way to Heel Oya, passing Bandarawela and before the Ella Stations where we met the next train heading back to Nanu Oya. This is also a Goods train and you can take this rain at Bandarawela at 1pm in the afternoon. The train has a good half hour to 45min stay in Bandarawela and the engine would shunt oil tanks and other goods vans onto and off other lines and sometimes to itself. It's a well trained mission: to see the SMs and the helpers run behind the Engines and signal the drivers when to stop to couple and uncouple vans.<br /><br />If you are lucky you get to see the clear mountain range and can tell each mountain apart from the others. There's always commotion on the train, at Ohiya, anther drunkard behind us realized that he'd gone to the wrong end of the car to get off the train and pulled the emergency brakes to get off! This resulted in much blame for him from the guards and the deputy SM of Ohiya and jail time the next attempt at such a poor display of choice.<br /><br />Since these trains are running on a single track there's no worry about missing your return train back when you want to catch back to back trains. Also, a good idea to travel during the day as not to miss the spectacular sunsets and the morning scenes of tea plantation workers picking leaves along the tracks among many other things. </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj68OT06I/AAAAAAAAAsk/lUJ-7p8nnX0/s1600-h/DSC_0456.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290361682782311330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj68OT06I/AAAAAAAAAsk/lUJ-7p8nnX0/s400/DSC_0456.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Our journey ended at 5pm at Ambewela station. Of course we were grubby and wore much soiled clothes but nevertheless fascinated that we managed to make this trip and make lots of friends and get back in one piece.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>People who make it possible<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6n94ZxI/AAAAAAAAAtU/MmTErK3IkQw/s1600-h/DSC_0570.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363876367951634" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6n94ZxI/AAAAAAAAAtU/MmTErK3IkQw/s400/DSC_0570.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Train driver of the M6 to Badulla (at Bandarawela Station)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6tcTZ_I/AAAAAAAAAtM/9X_4dukQUXU/s1600-h/DSC_0561.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363877837727730" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsl6tcTZ_I/AAAAAAAAAtM/9X_4dukQUXU/s400/DSC_0561.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Engineer on the M6</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj7GflodI/AAAAAAAAAs0/HccelHbCtO0/s1600-h/DSC_0467.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290361685539135954" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 323px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsj7GflodI/AAAAAAAAAs0/HccelHbCtO0/s400/DSC_0467.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ohiya SM</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsnlMR09KI/AAAAAAAAAuM/uR2xdckqXhs/s1600-h/DSCN4808.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365707181421730" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 392px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsnlMR09KI/AAAAAAAAAuM/uR2xdckqXhs/s400/DSCN4808.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ambewela SM</span><br /><br />We met three engine drivers, again, no name taking as the train engines are the size of portable toilets and there is no room for anything else other than for the driver and engineer to turn the knobs and switches, worry about people jumping into and off the train and doing their best to keep the ancient beasts on the track climbing such high altitudes. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>We met one engineer, who works the Podi Menike and other trains on this route, a remarkably friendly person with years of knowledge of the tracks and snippets of daily life that passes by of the inhabitants of the villages they pass. </div><div>Two exceptionaly friendly train drivers who were happy to share their experiences on the track about elephants crossing the tracks at night on the Northern Line to people doing the silliest stunts to get on a train. </div><div>A train Guard who takes his work seriously and takes pride in wearing his Government issue white garbs and green flag he gets to wave at the stations. Immensly educated on the geography of the lands he travels over and not just the Badulla line.</div><div>Very patient Station Masters who has to work in extreme hard conditions with minimum of comforts to keep the railway running under all conditions. We learnt that the Ohiya SM got hot water supply only a few months ago.</div><div> </div><div>We'd have not made both our trips on the occasionally late and some times not the cleanest trains on the tracks in Sri Lanka, if not for the Ambewea and Ohiya, very charming Station Masters who promised the view was worth it! May the SLR recruit more upbeat staff as such.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Hats off to the Sri Lanka Railway Department.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm9kW6d5I/AAAAAAAAAts/IdTZ8O9NQPM/s1600-h/DSC_0581.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290365026450438034" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 327px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsm9kW6d5I/AAAAAAAAAts/IdTZ8O9NQPM/s400/DSC_0581.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-37235334051923533302009-01-12T02:43:00.000-08:002009-06-26T09:17:46.656-07:00Ambewela to Ohiya by Train<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsfjW-mkXI/AAAAAAAAAr0/V6xhJ5UndE4/s1600-h/DSCN4773.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290356879600816498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWsfjW-mkXI/AAAAAAAAAr0/V6xhJ5UndE4/s400/DSCN4773.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div>Train journey from Ambewela to Ohiya and back on a Goods' Train!<br /><br />The Ambewla Station sits 3/4 of a mile from Pattipola the highest railway station in Sri Lanka. One of the Station Masters is Mr. D.M.N.P Bandara, a young recruit out of Colombo University and a helpful and kindly soul who mans the station sometimes 24X4 in the 5degress Celsius cold nights.<br />We've quizzed him for hours on the train schedule and the work and he would patiently sit with us and explain the signals and about how the Goods's trains would shunt carriages at his station.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWshfduOuiI/AAAAAAAAAr8/eBPyZZKhOYc/s1600-h/DSC_0441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290359011714972194" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWshfduOuiI/AAAAAAAAAr8/eBPyZZKhOYc/s400/DSC_0441.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWshfjaDApI/AAAAAAAAAsE/Q6rQb7_cuVI/s1600-h/DSC_0442.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290359013240930962" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWshfjaDApI/AAAAAAAAAsE/Q6rQb7_cuVI/s400/DSC_0442.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>On impulse we bought two and half tickets from him and on his advice decided to travel half hour to Ohiya and back by catching the next Goods' train from Bandarawela. It was a pleasant journey on a half empty train. The Namunukula mountain range looked massive and impressive and the colours that time of the years on the tree tops created such an abstract painting over the hills.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWshfk0jIlI/AAAAAAAAAsM/gEqTvmX4yvg/s1600-h/DSC_0483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290359013620523602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SWshfk0jIlI/AAAAAAAAAsM/gEqTvmX4yvg/s400/DSC_0483.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We took the 9.30am Goods train and 11.30 train from Ohiya back to Ambewela and it takes 3hours for this round trip and the view is breathtaking. We reached Ambewela 3hours after we left the station. There had been some shunting at Hapulate and the train got slightly delayed.<br /><br /></div><div>There's parking available at all stations for your vehicle and people man the station all day and it's quite safe to leave your vehicle. </div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-42352229738169041252009-01-11T21:15:00.000-08:002009-06-26T09:17:46.656-07:00History of Sri Lankan RailwayThe History of Sri Lankan Railway - <a href="http://www.railway.gov.lk/history.html">http://www.railway.gov.lk/history.html</a><br /><br />The Railway, then known as Ceylon Government Railways, was conceived in the 1850’s as an instrument to develop and unify the country. The 1st sod of the Sri Lanka Railways was cut by Sir Henry Ward, the Governor, in August in1858. The 1st Train ran on 27th December 1864, with the construction of the Main Line from Colombo to Ambepussa, 54 kilometers to the east. This line was officially opened for traffic on 02nd October 1865. The Railway extended and developed it’s network and in 1927 , a total route length of 1530 km was in operation . The Main Line was extended in stages, with service to Kandy in 1867, to Nawalapitiya in 1874, to Nanu-Oya in 1885, to Bandarawela in 1894, and to Badulla in 1924. Other lines were completed in due course to link the other parts of the country, the Matale Line in 1880, the Coast Line in 1895, the Northern Line in 1905, the Mannar Line in 1914, the Kelani Valley Line in 1919, the Puttalam Line in 1926, and the Batticaloa and Trincomalee Lines in 1928.The Railway was initially built to transport coffee and tea from the hill country to Colombo for export and was for many years, the main source of income. With population growth, however, passenger traffic increased and in the 1960’s overtook freight as the main source of business. The Railway is now primarily engaged in the transport of passengers, especially commuters to and from Colombo, offering a vital service and reducing road congestion.<br /><br /><br /><br />Rolling Stock<br /><br />The First Rolling Stock landed in Ceylon in 1864. These engines were 4-4-0 Type, two wheeled coupled with a tender, with a fuel capacity of 5 Tons and 15,200, Gallons of water. The length was 49 ft. over buffers and 59 tons in weight. These engines were in use till 1926. Three and Four driving wheel locomotives, with Saturated Steam Super Heater boilers were introduced 1915. Garret Class double headed locomotive were introduced in 1928 to eliminate the need for a 2nd engine to haul trains over a gradient of 1 in 44 in the up-country areas. In 1954 Canadian Government gifted to Ceylon, the M2 Class General Motors Electric Locomotives of 1310 H.P. In the mid 1950s, a Hydraulic Power Coachers were perched for the faster and cleaner service for office workers. A land mark in the history of the railways was the complete dieselization of it’s motive power in 1969 by the introduction of 88 Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives.The first consignment of coaches of 2- Wheeled, 2 Door, with 9’ 6” Wheel Base and 22’ 6” long, equipped with projecting sun-shades, bonnet type of ventilator glass drop light and double roof with cocoanut oil lamp started serving in this country and were in service for over nearly 20 years.The railway good service was inaugurated with the type of wagons such as 4 wheeled wooden Covered Wagons.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Signaling and Telecommunication<br /><br /><br />On the inauguration of the First Railway to Ambepussa in 1864, there was no need for signaling. The trains were run at long intervals and on time table to make sure that the trains were the kept well apart.Tablet Instrument was introduced as speeds and frequencies increased for safe operation on single lines. Lock and Block instruments were used for double line sections. The List and Mores System was one of the earliest forms of interlocking used at single line station. Color light Signaling and Centralized Traffic Control was started in 1959. The Railway Telecommunication system has been modernized by the introduction of VHF/UHF Radio Telecommunication facility between station and control offices.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Operation<br /><br /><br />In 1906, the Railway Operating Department was divided in to 3 divisions namely Colombo, Anuradhpuraya and Nawalapitiya.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.railway.gov.lk/history.html#top">Top</a>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-3348664594715486302008-12-26T19:11:00.000-08:002008-12-26T19:11:53.578-08:00Monkey Camp: Travel Diary (Day 1)<a href="http://smithsonianprimatebiologyprogram.blogspot.com/2008/12/travel-diary-1st-day.html">Monkey Camp: Travel Diary (Day 1)</a><br /><a href="http://www.energyservices.lk/pdf/techspecs/vh_w_b/bat.pdf">http://www.energyservices.lk/pdf/techspecs/vh_w_b/bat.pdf</a>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-67302375719967172272008-12-18T22:00:00.001-08:002009-06-26T09:18:13.425-07:00Travel Diary Ambewela Farm and return to Polonnaruwa (Day 5)<div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5oQgUahI/AAAAAAAAAqM/S-sQvS5cWjo/s1600-h/DSC_0543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281378351810112018" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5oQgUahI/AAAAAAAAAqM/S-sQvS5cWjo/s400/DSC_0543.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5oJSfGuI/AAAAAAAAAqE/oXEl0PTiTzA/s1600-h/DSC_0541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281378349873044194" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5oJSfGuI/AAAAAAAAAqE/oXEl0PTiTzA/s400/DSC_0541.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The Ambewala, New Zealand, Farm<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5of6cj4I/AAAAAAAAAqU/IQrkM_20AY4/s1600-h/DSC_0551.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281378355946229634" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5of6cj4I/AAAAAAAAAqU/IQrkM_20AY4/s400/DSC_0551.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The ticket prices are remarkably lame for an establishment that has so much farming methods to teach. The staff are friendly and the smaller children as well as the adults get a chance to feed and touch a few animals. Although not a soul would ask anything about the animals but walk through as if at the Zoo. </div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5orSpkJI/AAAAAAAAAqc/AlvEMUjcx5E/s1600-h/DSC_0561.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281378359000535186" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs5orSpkJI/AAAAAAAAAqc/AlvEMUjcx5E/s400/DSC_0561.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sheran & Chameera petting a kid</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs6eh0c8BI/AAAAAAAAAqs/V5RU10f4qz4/s1600-h/DSC_0558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281379284170895378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs6eh0c8BI/AAAAAAAAAqs/V5RU10f4qz4/s400/DSC_0558.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><span style="font-size:85%;">Free Range Pens</span><br /><br /><div>The 1st stop is the Goat Pen. Brought down from Denmark the pure white goats live in a shed and separated by size and age. There were 4 new born kids and about two dozen smaller kids.<br />Also in free range pens they house Heifers and rabbit bred for meat and as pets.</div><div> </div><div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs6evtVRII/AAAAAAAAAq0/MhDxtlLn_pg/s1600-h/DSC_0575.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281379287899128962" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs6evtVRII/AAAAAAAAAq0/MhDxtlLn_pg/s400/DSC_0575.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Gouda cheese is processed in the premises and the machines are large and impressionable. As are the milking units which start operating at 6m once all the cows are brought back in to their shed. </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs6e9qSUWI/AAAAAAAAAq8/S_mWVGs1luY/s1600-h/DSC_0555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281379291644449122" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs6e9qSUWI/AAAAAAAAAq8/S_mWVGs1luY/s400/DSC_0555.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Large Leaved Green Cabages</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-21017705372595686252008-12-18T21:27:00.000-08:002009-06-26T09:18:13.425-07:00Travel Diary - Hortain Plains (Day 5)<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85pLAPcI/AAAAAAAAArU/al-z8PnTph4/s1600-h/DSC_0505.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281381949024255426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 327px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85pLAPcI/AAAAAAAAArU/al-z8PnTph4/s400/DSC_0505.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85VoqPrI/AAAAAAAAArM/iEPd35kezIk/s1600-h/DSC_0504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281381943779933874" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85VoqPrI/AAAAAAAAArM/iEPd35kezIk/s400/DSC_0504.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85OKUN_I/AAAAAAAAArE/MoF5Bvp7lF8/s1600-h/DSC_0499.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281381941773613042" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85OKUN_I/AAAAAAAAArE/MoF5Bvp7lF8/s400/DSC_0499.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>16th December 2008 (Tuesday)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0wXRSEII/AAAAAAAAAps/IBU-RrFmqMQ/s1600-h/DSC_0462.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281372993506906242" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0wXRSEII/AAAAAAAAAps/IBU-RrFmqMQ/s400/DSC_0462.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Monks walk towards the World's End. And the Irony!</span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyH-Vp30I/AAAAAAAAApM/5GbQIjRXhHY/s1600-h/DSC_0432.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281370100596334402" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyH-Vp30I/AAAAAAAAApM/5GbQIjRXhHY/s400/DSC_0432.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sri Pada - view from Hortain Plains </span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Coffee at 6am from Glen Falls Inn and to Hortain Plains.<br /><br /><br /><em>In Horton plains<br />Chorus </em></div><div><br /></div><div><em>What a day, what a day<br />What a very sunlit day.<br />If you go to Horton Plains<br />Don’t forget your walking shoes.<br /><br />Verse 1 Magnificent birds,<br />Great Samba,<br />Brilliant light<br />Falling on trees.<br />Go from World's End to Bakers falls if ya'll want to take a peak.<br /><br />Chorus Repeat<br /><br />Verse 2 What a walk,<br />What a walk,<br />What a lovely sunshine walk,<br />On our little, little walk<br />We can see Purple faced Langurs,,,<br />Which are dark on their face.<br /><br />Chorus Repeat.<br /></em><br />Sheran Hewa<br />(8years) </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0wbziInI/AAAAAAAAApk/CKRQost2-Oc/s1600-h/DSC_0457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281372994724307570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0wbziInI/AAAAAAAAApk/CKRQost2-Oc/s400/DSC_0457.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>The Milage is scratched off and had not been painted over the last 3years. The charge for a vehicle to enter the park to use it's 19km road to walk is over Rs 500. One would imagine why a 50ml paint tin cannot be purchased to mark the distance? I waited at this marker for 1hour trying to take a good photograph of the Pied Bush Chat with a very temperamental 200mm lens in horrible light, and over 15teams of travellers paused, made comments to take the issue back to the athorities at the gate but kept trudging on. </div><div><br /></div><div>The round trip is 19km as per the officials at the gate.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0xc3WV1I/AAAAAAAAAp8/FqnYJWfCNNo/s1600-h/DSC_0495.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281373012188616530" style="WIDTH: 387px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0xc3WV1I/AAAAAAAAAp8/FqnYJWfCNNo/s400/DSC_0495.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The orchids are in bloom.</span></div><div><br />We just missed the Otter at the main ticket counter from Pattipola entrance but are compansated with lovely sunny weather. </div><div> </div><div align="left">People are body searched like they are entering a high security zone for anything other than the most essential items. Though we note that in several places plastic bottles and garbage are strewn and wondered how they were smuggled in their in the 1st place?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0w-5yUdI/AAAAAAAAAp0/Mjd268b3HXQ/s1600-h/DSC_0482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281373004145775058" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0w-5yUdI/AAAAAAAAAp0/Mjd268b3HXQ/s400/DSC_0482.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />Since there are no dogs the only possible scavenger is the Common House Crow. I counted over 17 crows in 2minutes between the small café and the Visitor's centre (former Farr Inn) Though the visitors centre has many closed rooms, there's no place for a person to rest inside from the cold wind which seems quite a basic human right.</div><div> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0wEoWPrI/AAAAAAAAApc/YbgFG0GB1zc/s1600-h/DSC_0451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281372988503375538" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs0wEoWPrI/AAAAAAAAApc/YbgFG0GB1zc/s400/DSC_0451.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">From the Marker towards Bakers Fall</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyIEGSTwI/AAAAAAAAApU/b3Cd5nZacdA/s1600-h/DSC_0484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281370102142488322" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyIEGSTwI/AAAAAAAAApU/b3Cd5nZacdA/s400/DSC_0484.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A Pot of tea for barely 4peope costs Rs 400 and one tea bun costs Rs 100 at the Visitor's Centre Café. While we waited out side for 3hours for the others to return 12 people at different times walked in and out without purchasing a single item of food.<br />The only place to take picnic food is an open lodge again with no protection form the cold and wind between the Mahaeliya Circuit Bungalow and the Visitor's centre. There were several van loads of people who would not be able to know this if they use the Ohiya entrance. Nothing about the existence of this place is advertised at the ticket office or the car park.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85ygIENI/AAAAAAAAArk/4Y2nUm7aSDY/s1600-h/DSC_0518.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281381951528767698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85ygIENI/AAAAAAAAArk/4Y2nUm7aSDY/s400/DSC_0518.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85vl12aI/AAAAAAAAArc/usXvuXOvnhE/s1600-h/DSC_0511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281381950747433378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 373px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUs85vl12aI/AAAAAAAAArc/usXvuXOvnhE/s400/DSC_0511.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The staff were no where around when two sambar wandered in onto our selfless travelers who felt so horribly guilty that the 'poor' animals had to eat grass when they were eating rice or bread or biscuits and felt compelled to share it with them.<br />And the staff still wasn’t around when the afore said people's children started to throw all sorts of non perishable wrappers everywhere near the garbage bins provided. So what if the future generation has no clean environment to live!?<br /><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Birds in HortainPlains<br /><br />Birds, birds<br />Montain birds, here<br />Is a list of<br />Birds that we've seen,<br />Black winged Kite<br />Crested Serpent Eagle<br />Jungle Fowl<br />White Throated King fisher<br />Blue- tailed Bee eater<br />Yellow Wagtail (1st Winter Visitor)<br />East Asian Swallow<br />Hill Swallow<br />Flame Minivet<br />Yellow Eared Bulbul<br />Pied Bush chat<br />Eurasian Black Bird<br />Indian Scimitar Babbler<br />Sri Lanka Bush Warbler<br />Great Tit<br /><br />Wonderful Birds, Wonderful Birds<br />Not that common<br />But Guess what???<br />We've seen them!<br /></span></em>Sheran Hewa (8years)</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyHeFxGYI/AAAAAAAAAo8/TtzODn6dDtY/s1600-h/DSC_0497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281370091939764610" style="WIDTH: 343px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyHeFxGYI/AAAAAAAAAo8/TtzODn6dDtY/s400/DSC_0497.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Female Pied Bush Chat</span></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyHhDd82I/AAAAAAAAApE/lw5YYZ6a1u8/s1600-h/DSC_0441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281370092735427426" style="WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyHhDd82I/AAAAAAAAApE/lw5YYZ6a1u8/s400/DSC_0441.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jungle Fowl</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyHIPTN5I/AAAAAAAAAo0/a7fUArVBhRI/s1600-h/DSC_0428.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281370086074169234" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 366px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsyHIPTN5I/AAAAAAAAAo0/a7fUArVBhRI/s400/DSC_0428.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Yellow Wag Tail (1st Winter Visitor)</span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-33634452759198230422008-12-18T21:15:00.000-08:002009-06-26T09:18:13.426-07:00Travel Diary, Nuwara Eliya (Day 4)<div><div><div><div><div>15th December 2008 (Monday)</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvKAwAt4I/AAAAAAAAAoM/7FCrDznlXdo/s1600-h/DSC_0399.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281366837068609410" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvKAwAt4I/AAAAAAAAAoM/7FCrDznlXdo/s400/DSC_0399.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Zesta Tea Cup Stop. The Best Butter Cakes in the entire stretch.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div>In dire need for cash today! Totally strapped after paying our dues to the management of the Blue Magpie. Don’t get me wrong, they did give a discount.<br /><br />The drive to Kalawana then to Ratnapura takes 2hours after discounting pot hole stops if you value your vehicle shocks and bushes of all nature and specially if they are not company owned and no one gives two hoots about who pays for the damages.<br /><br />Ratnapura is busy and noisy and over populated on a Monday morning. All Museums are closed due to the fact they stayed open the previous day for may be a few dozen people. Banks are packed with other desperate souls and from the haunted look on the faces with the hungry and medicated looking kids hanging on their arms, it's apparent all waited valiantly out side till the bank doors were opened.<br /><br />We change tracks, fill up gas tanks and head off to Nuwara Eliya and beyond!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvKUYF2uI/AAAAAAAAAoU/HxXQdKQXvgw/s1600-h/DSC_0403.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281366842336991970" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvKUYF2uI/AAAAAAAAAoU/HxXQdKQXvgw/s400/DSC_0403.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Nanu Oya Train Station. The train at the platform pulls an observation coach.</span></div><div> </div><div>We got two rooms at the Glen Fall Inn Resort. Ravi, the steward is a helpful chap always running around and trying to make everyone feel comfortable. This is a wonderful place if you come with a crowd as they do not really mind people cramping in their rooms. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvK8fsLgI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Z34ZDAOgaBI/s1600-h/DSC_0408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281366853106281986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvK8fsLgI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Z34ZDAOgaBI/s400/DSC_0408.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The Glen Fall Inn also does a small out door restaurant theme under canopies next to the land of Central Finance Vehicle Sales Centre during December and April. Food is of a very extreme nature: the price as low as it gets for the amount dished on a plate. </div><div> </div><div>The next stop is warm jackets. The shopping stop is the Bazaar in town opposite Hill's the Supermarket. As there are over 15 small traders the competition is stiff and the prices are remarkably volatile. One can get the latest Eddie Bauer, GoreTex, Columbia or StJohn's Bay for less than $30. Some would have a stitching mistake or a button missing on a lapel but generally these are of supreme quality and I can vouch for the durability personally.<br /><br />The day is spent relaxing for the boys. One of whom had never been to Nuwara Eliya. rooms at Glen Fall Offers a 15inch TV with Digital TV with 50 channels and most of the time is spent channel surfing rather than actually watching the programs. The beds are luxurious, with picturesque bed spreads and comfortable pillows. Wall to wall carpeting and lovely oil paintings on the walls.<br />Dinner is from the famous De Silva's Food Court in town. Fried rice for some and snack food for others. Also, there's absolutely nothing to eat in any of the shops after 9pm.</div><div> </div><div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvLid3fUI/AAAAAAAAAos/k-JzV248rO0/s1600-h/DSC_0424.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281366863299181890" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 327px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvLid3fUI/AAAAAAAAAos/k-JzV248rO0/s400/DSC_0424.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Orchids - Hortain Plains</span></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvLDs9a8I/AAAAAAAAAok/PRwItSCEcX8/s1600-h/DSC_0415.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281366855040986050" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsvLDs9a8I/AAAAAAAAAok/PRwItSCEcX8/s400/DSC_0415.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Water Hole near Pattipola Rail Station, the highest train station in Sri Lanka.</span></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-18517030482434773052008-12-18T20:10:00.000-08:002009-06-26T09:18:13.426-07:00Travel Diary (Day 3)<div><div><div><div><div>14th December 2008 (Sunday)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq-6av3TI/AAAAAAAAAn0/ZuEzldLBiFs/s1600-h/DSC_0392.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281362248343739698" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq-6av3TI/AAAAAAAAAn0/ZuEzldLBiFs/s400/DSC_0392.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq-ltkCBI/AAAAAAAAAns/uw3QSRgusBU/s1600-h/DSC_0390.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281362242785511442" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq-ltkCBI/AAAAAAAAAns/uw3QSRgusBU/s400/DSC_0390.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">In Sinharaja<br /><br />A rain Forest<br />What is it?<br />Is it a forest?<br />Or a leech Place?<br />Please do tell me<br />What is it?<br />I know what it is!<br />It's a wet and muddy place<br />It's nice at all times even though it's far away<br />What a wonderful sight you will see<br />If you take a peak<br />At the lovely rainforest<br /><br />You'll hear the birds in the morning<br />And you'll hear the Cricket's Chirping<br />And you'll hear the frogs croaking<br />While you hear the people talking.<br /><br />(Sheran Hewa, 8Years.)<br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq_CjYCZI/AAAAAAAAAoE/b0ql9doZvgg/s1600-h/DSC_0332.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281362250527410578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq_CjYCZI/AAAAAAAAAoE/b0ql9doZvgg/s400/DSC_0332.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgPRa1n1I/AAAAAAAAAls/oB7Q4VRuWdo/s1600-h/DSC_0296.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281350434768133970" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgPRa1n1I/AAAAAAAAAls/oB7Q4VRuWdo/s400/DSC_0296.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sinharaja Map at the Entrance</span><br /><br /></div><div>Breakfast is served at 7am and they served bread, fried egg, dhal curry, chick peas, Manioc and scraped coconut.<br /><br />Cost for the entrance to the Sinharaja Nature Reserve, is RS 25 per adult, 15 per child between 6-12 and Rs. 6 for a child in school Uniform. There's a flat rate one pays for the facility of a guide, a local who would walk you through the reserve and would educate you by a crash course for the duration you would walk with him in the forest. Our lucky guide for the day is Sena Somasiri, a slim, fair young man with such a mild manner. He was well endowed with spotting birds and would amazingly spot them over a 100feet away in the dark canopy without any binoculars. Though one may argue that this is something he ought to be great at as he might be in the reserve at least 4 times a week I still think he was incredibly accurate. He spotted the Malabar Trojan, the Velvet fronted nut hatch, the Red Faced Malkoha and the crested Drongo all in such horrible fading light at times. We did not unfortunately get to see the local specialty, the Blue Magpie. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq_HlfIVI/AAAAAAAAAn8/IFydrwnlAMk/s1600-h/DSC_0324.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281362251878441298" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq_HlfIVI/AAAAAAAAAn8/IFydrwnlAMk/s400/DSC_0324.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Venus Fly Trap</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgPii52HI/AAAAAAAAAl0/eUC6afnv99k/s1600-h/DSC_0301.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281350439365367922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgPii52HI/AAAAAAAAAl0/eUC6afnv99k/s400/DSC_0301.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Wide angle shot of pine trees</span></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>There's a new Forest Department building being built 1km from the park entrance gate built with enough wood to fill a 40foot container. This is such an irony as they are the ones who preach on conserving and preserving the forests!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgPlG6rMI/AAAAAAAAAl8/ckC1vGJhfkY/s1600-h/DSC_0308.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281350440053288130" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgPlG6rMI/AAAAAAAAAl8/ckC1vGJhfkY/s400/DSC_0308.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq-ah2tiI/AAAAAAAAAnk/JWihjvpZUPs/s1600-h/DSC_0305.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281362239783613986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsq-ah2tiI/AAAAAAAAAnk/JWihjvpZUPs/s400/DSC_0305.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Sheran & Sunil Ratnayake</span><br /></div><div>Our walk took a little over 4hours and this is with quite a bit of stops on the way to see birds and one delightful troop of toque monkeys, the Macaca sinica aurifrance, the wet forest sub species. The strength of the troop was approximately 20 animals and were too shy to get close to take a census. We did not see a single group of Purple faced langurs the entire 4hours we were inside. The only other mammal we saw was the wet zone giant squirrel and the mongoose.<br /><br />The list of birds seen on a 1 & 1/2 km walk into the reserve.<br />Jungle fowl<br />Indian Scimitar Babbler<br />Red Faced Malkoha<br />Malabar Trogan<br />Green Bee Eater<br />Blue Tailed Bee eater<br />Yellow Fronted Babbler<br />Brown Headed Babbler<br />Crimson Headed Babbler<br />Gray Rumped Tree Swift<br />Black Headed Oriole<br />Little Swift<br />Flame Minivet<br />Black Bulbul<br />Spot Winged Thrush<br />Dark Fronted Babbler<br />Booted Warbler<br />Black Naped Monarch<br />Velvet Fronted Nut Hatch<br />White Throated Flower Pecker<br />Crested Drongo<br />Hill Myna<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgQD-69hI/AAAAAAAAAmM/GK5XG_T0PFs/s1600-h/DSC_0321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281350448341251602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgQD-69hI/AAAAAAAAAmM/GK5XG_T0PFs/s400/DSC_0321.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Female Jungle Fowl</span></div><div> </div><div>200m from the Blue magpie just towards the west of the bridge, there's a perfect bathing spot for not the faint hearted. Included pictures are Sunil Ratnayaka and Ruwan Jayewardene, very experienced swimmers going a high dive, 15feet from the water while the senior staff screamed protests. The river bed at the place we bathed was a rocky plate with non slip gritty surface. The deepest spot would have been 6feet 10inches.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsozG3S3jI/AAAAAAAAAm8/jLrAJeatN0c/s1600-h/DSC_0351.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359846503013938" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsozG3S3jI/AAAAAAAAAm8/jLrAJeatN0c/s400/DSC_0351.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsozeCxREI/AAAAAAAAAnE/4-JOmUY0sVo/s1600-h/DSC_0363.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359852725158978" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsozeCxREI/AAAAAAAAAnE/4-JOmUY0sVo/s400/DSC_0363.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsozzXJ7OI/AAAAAAAAAnM/ye8pTdrFPXA/s1600-h/DSC_0368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359858447805666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsozzXJ7OI/AAAAAAAAAnM/ye8pTdrFPXA/s400/DSC_0368.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUso0i_trDI/AAAAAAAAAnc/xBBLiX9nLm0/s1600-h/DSC_0383.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359871234386994" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUso0i_trDI/AAAAAAAAAnc/xBBLiX9nLm0/s400/DSC_0383.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUso0aMh1MI/AAAAAAAAAnU/IuFxyiANjJg/s1600-h/DSC_0378.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359868872217794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUso0aMh1MI/AAAAAAAAAnU/IuFxyiANjJg/s400/DSC_0378.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The afternoon we walked down Thuru Sevena road, which is the road leading east before the bridge next to Waggadala Bus Stand. This is a tarmac road and only 5feet wide. We met a local by the name of Piyasena, who used to work for the Forest Department and had been living in the district for the past 40years. His garden boasts a few migrant birds in the season also the frog mouth and a few owls. We were offered tea grown in his land and an hour's worth of chat.<br /><br />The many locals we spoke to also were weary of not informing birding spots as are quite angered by the way the Sri Lankan Tour Guides trample and plunge apparently in the forest disturbing the natural habitat of the birds. During the Migrant bird season and also the other times there would be lots of tourists and guiding is one of the many available livelihood of the locals. Hence being biased about who does the guiding. </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgQBgkLoI/AAAAAAAAAmE/bbsX8qHdkTw/s1600-h/DSC_0316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281350447677058690" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsgQBgkLoI/AAAAAAAAAmE/bbsX8qHdkTw/s400/DSC_0316.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-19268371598090030672008-12-18T19:46:00.001-08:002009-06-26T09:18:13.426-07:00Travel Diary (Day 2)<div><div><div><div><div>13th December 08 (Saturday)<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxIaGMXI/AAAAAAAAAkk/65DkigrI10g/s1600-h/DSC_0111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281343319883264370" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxIaGMXI/AAAAAAAAAkk/65DkigrI10g/s400/DSC_0111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxONthdI/AAAAAAAAAkc/DojB6wUNaDc/s1600-h/DSC_0110.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281343321441928658" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxONthdI/AAAAAAAAAkc/DojB6wUNaDc/s400/DSC_0110.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Misty mounted tops at 6.30am lookign towards North East</span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6jR7G_I/AAAAAAAAAm0/2BPQ02tda5M/s1600-h/DSC_0280.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281355576343469042" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6jR7G_I/AAAAAAAAAm0/2BPQ02tda5M/s400/DSC_0280.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Susitha & Sheran</span><br /></div><div align="left"><br />There's no sleep after 4.15am. 1st bird I hear is the Indian Pitta, followed by the Changeable hawk eagle. I read by candle light till 6.15 till we hear the boys rousing in their rooms. Sunil divides us into two groups. After tea we set off to observe our respective troops of purple faced langurs.<br /><br />Breakfast at the Blue Magpie is Milk rice, manioc and scraped coconut, boiled egg curry and fruits. The food is delicious, clean and well presented. What the Blue Magpie lacks in luxury they make up in quality and taste of food offered and with a young and friendly staff, ready to help with locations for bird watching or contacts for guides. Not a single day did we feel that this is a place they need to be nice to us because we are paying guests.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc4DQjVvI/AAAAAAAAAlk/H68jXzwz-u0/s1600-h/DSC_0231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281346737295021810" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc4DQjVvI/AAAAAAAAAlk/H68jXzwz-u0/s400/DSC_0231.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aricanut Flower</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc4H4MhjI/AAAAAAAAAlc/Og7XytSmosY/s1600-h/DSC_0233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281346738535040562" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc4H4MhjI/AAAAAAAAAlc/Og7XytSmosY/s400/DSC_0233.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pepper Plant with Seed</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Late morning, stretches on comparing bird lists for the two parties that went off towards opposite direction in search of the elusive monkey. By late evening when I write this the list we complied in a 24hours.<br /><br />1. Black Eagle<br />2. Changeable Hawk Eagle<br />3. Serpent Eagle<br />4. Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl<br />5. White breasted Water Hen<br />6. Spotted Dove<br />7. Emerald dove<br />8. Pompadour Green Pigeon<br />9. Green Imperial Pigeon.<br />10. Sri Lanka Hanging parrot<br />11. Layard's Parakeet<br />12. Greater Coucal<br />13. Grey Hornbill<br />14. White throated king fisher<br />15. Chestnut headed Bee Eater<br />16. Blue Tailed Bee Eater.<br />17. Brown Headed Barbet<br />18. Crimson Fronted Barbet<br />19. Grey Wagtail<br />20. Greater Flameback<br />21. Common Wood Shrike<br />22. Brown Shrike<br />23. Small minivet<br />24. Black Headed Yellow Bulbul<br />25. Yellow Eared Bulbul<br />26. Red Vented Bulbul<br />27. White Browed Bulbul<br />28. Yellow Browed Bulbul<br />29. Common Iora<br />30. Jerdon's Leaf Bird<br />31. Magpie Robin<br />32. Indian Pitta<br />33. Brown Capped Babbler<br />34. Yellow Billed babbler<br />35. Pale Billed Flower Pecker<br />36. Sri Lanka Paradise Flycatcher<br />37. Indian Paradise Flycatcher<br />38. Asian Brown Flycatcher<br />39. Purple Rumped sunbird<br />40. Purple Sunbird<br />41. Black Throated Munia<br />42. House Sparrow<br />43. White breasted Drongo<br />44. Common Myna<br />45. Little Comarant </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc3xrSCtI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UuIyJRcYBzs/s1600-h/DSC_0197.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281346732575296210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 382px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc3xrSCtI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UuIyJRcYBzs/s400/DSC_0197.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">White Browed Bulbul</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc3bzFSYI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7ObK1Sdj-HE/s1600-h/DSC_0183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281346726702434690" style="WIDTH: 386px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc3bzFSYI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7ObK1Sdj-HE/s400/DSC_0183.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Black Headed Yellow Bulbul</span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc3fV-fMI/AAAAAAAAAlE/dsBbvPzRZNI/s1600-h/DSC_0196.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281346727654096066" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsc3fV-fMI/AAAAAAAAAlE/dsBbvPzRZNI/s400/DSC_0196.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Yellow Browed Bulbul</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxX6OoXI/AAAAAAAAAks/OPfhe8lTLx8/s1600-h/DSC_0117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281343324044566898" style="WIDTH: 378px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxX6OoXI/AAAAAAAAAks/OPfhe8lTLx8/s400/DSC_0117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bath at the river is awesome with a Ruwan jumping off a ledge and making everyone laugh. Sheran and I unfortunately had several cuts while scampering over rocks and was unable to really enjoy the water.<br /><br />Evening we make another trip towards the west to see another troop of langurs but the evening is washed off after an hour. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxYt2FhI/AAAAAAAAAk0/K2gvioGxOjk/s1600-h/DSC_0168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281343324261062162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxYt2FhI/AAAAAAAAAk0/K2gvioGxOjk/s400/DSC_0168.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Leeches crawling up shoes</span><br /></div><div>This is the area Sunil and his team worked in the morning and on their way back they've had a tea at a tiny boutique at the road side. They were told that the shop keepers would be making Wade, a deep fried small dhal patty. Which is a south Indian delicacy. And they really managed to make it really spicy.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6pBEVhI/AAAAAAAAAms/vqhSxWRVbOI/s1600-h/DSC_0271.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281355577883383314" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6pBEVhI/AAAAAAAAAms/vqhSxWRVbOI/s400/DSC_0271.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Party at night in the hotel room.</span></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxqcukpI/AAAAAAAAAk8/B8cQzJVZUgY/s1600-h/DSC_0174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281343329021104786" style="WIDTH: 337px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsZxqcukpI/AAAAAAAAAk8/B8cQzJVZUgY/s400/DSC_0174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6f3GZdI/AAAAAAAAAmc/hFSunIX5AN8/s1600-h/DSC_0249.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281355575425656274" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6f3GZdI/AAAAAAAAAmc/hFSunIX5AN8/s400/DSC_0249.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6NQMOGI/AAAAAAAAAmU/H_npdR2Z6TQ/s1600-h/DSC_0239.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281355570430621794" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsk6NQMOGI/AAAAAAAAAmU/H_npdR2Z6TQ/s400/DSC_0239.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-26031288985055780332008-12-18T19:25:00.001-08:002009-04-09T23:06:01.892-07:00Travel Diary (Day 1)12th December 2008 (Friday)<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-Ui0W_I/AAAAAAAAAjE/_dQ0vRA9uTc/s1600-h/DSC_0257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281338048921230322" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-Ui0W_I/AAAAAAAAAjE/_dQ0vRA9uTc/s400/DSC_0257.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Standing Left to Right - Chameera Pathirathne, Ruwan Jayawardena, Susitha Priyashantha, Sunil Gunathilake, Sheran Hewa, Local farmer, Nalaka, Sunil Ratnayake</span></div><div></div><div><br />The assignment is to locate and survey the habitat of the purple faced langur in the Rain Forests of SL.<br /><br />We consist of two parties for the travel. Sheran and I traveled from Negombo and Sunil and the staff from Polonnaruwa. From Negombo we take the Mirigama road and travel behind the Airport runway for 2km to meet the Airport – Nittambuwa road. From Nittambuwa traffic lights you go east to Ruwanwella from there to the left to Avissawella, then a supposedly short cut to Eheliyagoda (which by the way no sane person should take because of the poor state of the road), Join the Avissawella - Ratnapura road.<br /><br />Ratnapura, which seemed quite a spot for the population with the latest vehicles in the country. Still had to wait a good 1/2 hour before we were noted by the passing waiters to order some food, true to things that only happens when they want to happen. 12th December of 2008 is a Poya (Unduvap) full moon day and the diner was worked by a skeleton staff. Ultimately we were served and was later presented with a highly inflated bill for the minimum of food we consumed. No one seemed bothered about this fact either. </div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU_MPpiEI/AAAAAAAAAjk/y1dKdT6klPg/s1600-h/DSC_0084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281338063873214530" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU_MPpiEI/AAAAAAAAAjk/y1dKdT6klPg/s400/DSC_0084.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">River opposite The Blue Magpie</span></div><br /><div><br />As we had to wait for the rest of the staff to arrive from Polonnaruwa, who'd also left at 6am, we tried to get busy and on Sunil's advice tried the Museums. What we hadn’t accounted for was the Poya holiday! Of course the Gem Museum as well and the Archeology Museum was closed till Tuesday. Both these establishments are closed on Poya or any public holidays and also on Mondays.<br /><br />Ratnapura, the City of Gems, is a town with narrow 'main' roads and many people huddled in street corners trying to sell you gems. The local rivers and streams have been plundered by the gem seekers for decades. The city centre carries branches of all the local banks and most of the commercial traders that are scattered down the city's streets sparsely. The town has almost no eateries or a place of rest for weary travelers within the heart. There's a Cargills, a local brand of Supermarket opposite the Police station if you want to buy the essentials before heading of to more rural areas.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWI9A-fVI/AAAAAAAAAkE/971rWjxjiGs/s1600-h/DSC_0162.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281339331095461202" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWI9A-fVI/AAAAAAAAAkE/971rWjxjiGs/s400/DSC_0162.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Water Monitor</span></div><br /><div><br />The road from Ratnapura to Sinharaja is about 60km with the majority road condition is less than appealing if you are thinking of making a second trip any time soon. So it's like childbirth, a pain you forget soon! The forest view starts the moment you pass Kalawana and some times the way the Sun's rays fall from the West in the afternoon, the shimmering tree tops look mystical. The precipes are a plenty and the forest patches and the low grown tea cultivations below is a the colour of rich young leaves. If you travel with the Ordnance survey map you will notice the contour lines stretching off indicating the fold mountains in the area and their respective heights. But of course most turn offs do not have sign posts for the 1st time travelers and you would have to depend on the walking locals to get directions. There's absolutely no place to purchase some food on the entire 60km drive but a few spots where one can have their own picnic with food bought from home. </div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWIcrzSvI/AAAAAAAAAj8/Vryu0grSlaU/s1600-h/DSC_0127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281339322416712434" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWIcrzSvI/AAAAAAAAAj8/Vryu0grSlaU/s400/DSC_0127.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-7L6VlI/AAAAAAAAAjc/j8nl2gEeB28/s1600-h/DSC_0092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281338059294135890" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-7L6VlI/AAAAAAAAAjc/j8nl2gEeB28/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had reserved rooms at The Blue Magpie, a small motel that has 12 rooms and can accommodate perhaps 30 adults. It's located about 400m from the park entrance and ideal to walk in at any time you want. The food is basic Sri Lankan food cooked with spices galore. The two of us were greeted warmly by Nishantha, the steward. He's been on the staff since the inception and is a friendly and courteous young man. We were offered rice and curry for lunch, with plenty of fresh fruits for dessert. Towards the east of the dining hall is a grass patch of about 10perches. There are several Jam fruit trees shading the dining hall and the trees at one point was filled with noisy Red Vented Bulbuls. We counted over 25 birds without even leaving the dining room. They nest on a small hedge next to the boundary walls and chases any other bird who would come to eat from their precious feeders. </div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsXHn9nwcI/AAAAAAAAAkU/6_dJcYA_-so/s1600-h/DSC_0181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281340407776002498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsXHn9nwcI/AAAAAAAAAkU/6_dJcYA_-so/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The Bird Feeders</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWI4KV2oI/AAAAAAAAAkM/77OpII7CSPw/s1600-h/DSC_0066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281339329792563842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWI4KV2oI/AAAAAAAAAkM/77OpII7CSPw/s400/DSC_0066.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sunil Gunathilake</span><br /><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-i5XfKI/AAAAAAAAAjU/D7WTEjaaEEs/s1600-h/DSC_0080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281338052773903522" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-i5XfKI/AAAAAAAAAjU/D7WTEjaaEEs/s400/DSC_0080.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Orchid</span><br /></div><br /><div>The room charges are approximately Rs. 2,000 per day per person FB. Rooms are small and if sold as a triple room it can seem to be a bit cramped. All three rooms we occupied housed resident spiders with an annual growth of webs on the ceiling. The bathrooms had no hot water but was quite nicely done up in a lovely green hue tiles and good quality fittings.<br /><br />The other two places are Martin's, who's reluctant to rent out to locals in anticipation of foreign tourist but holds the most favoured spot in the entire area for it's fantastic views. When we inquired two weeks before he informed us that the motel was full, but when we were actually there, only one of his rooms for the 12th night and the 13th night was taken. It's a good idea to gate crash Martin rather than book in advance.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWICsnypI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Ie3yDqvus04/s1600-h/DSC_0095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281339315440831122" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWICsnypI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Ie3yDqvus04/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Green Shadow </span></div><div>The other place is called the Green Shadow. The entire lodge is a wood and cement structure with two rooms with Attached bath and two without. This can hurt if you are a person who has moral values about cutting down trees. There's a dorm that can accommodate 8 people in bunk beds. There's a small charge per day for the cooking and you would be asked to contribute to the cost of the gas. And would be a good idea if you travel with a small gas cylinder of your own. There's a resident cook and helper who would prepare meals from dry goods that you would bring. This is the most inexpensive accommodation in the area north of the reserve.<br /><br />Sunil and the gang arrived at 2.30pm. 6 of them were able to make the trip, Sunil Goonethilake, Chameera Pathirathne, Ruwan Jayawardena, Sunil Ratnayake and Susitha Priyashantha, who used to work with us before. He's the artist on the trip who would make sketches of the langurs and birds for us. The van driver/owner/relation of a staff is Nalaka.<br />It was good to see them after about a two months. After the initial pleasantries, and once we all were allocated rooms and settled in, Sunil started pointing at several birds. The endemic Layards Parakeet was the star of the moment with his bright colours. There in plain view were three parakeets, a male, female and a juvenile with dull colours. Another staff member spotted the Black Eagle. And it started from there.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWIPDY7OI/AAAAAAAAAj0/jw8qzDvwR5k/s1600-h/DSC_0101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281339318757551330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsWIPDY7OI/AAAAAAAAAj0/jw8qzDvwR5k/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They had lunch in an hour with the other guest at the motel. After lunch we decided on a walk. All of us had been stuck in a vehicle for over 6hours that day and the bodies certainly needed the stretch. We walked perhaps 2km. we wandered into a little nook that had 4small shops. The 1st one is the tea shop. in a small glass cabinet there were 3 varieties of cake, 2-4 local sweetmeats and sugar buns. Nalaka and Chameera brought us tea which we drank munching on pieces of 'Kithul' juggery. One thing we all agreed on was that it was quite refreshing. The 1st shop owner of course gets the majority of the business because of the location but can be a little intimidating, pushy and money mined. All the people are weary of the travelers and does good business on call charges as the area is devoid of mobile phone coverage. It's amazing how easy it is to adapt to not carrying or using a mobile phone. Time of the day becomes pretty irrelevant and since you anyway carry a biological clock you would not miss your meals.<br /><br />Back at the motel we got ready to go to the small river for a swim/bath anything we would be able to do. It looked shallow with a small currant, but proved colder than we anticipated. I had clothes to wash and the boys had a great time bathing. Well, the stream was not deep enough to swim for the adults. None of us could stay in the water for more than 1/2 hour. It was that cold!<br /><br />We convened back at the varendah of our rooms, and discussed the plans for tomorrow.<br /><br />Dinner is fried rice and curries consumed with such fervor by the boys. To bed after a long chat with the motel manager Mr. Shantha. One would always be fascinated how friendly the staff is. We've now made friends will all the staff and on first name basis with everyone. Sunil would want all dressed on deck at 6.30am to find the troops of monkeys.<br /><br />Though falling asleep is easy as pie, sleeping through was a problem. The Blue Magpie offers power supply off a generator from 6pm to 10pm which makes quite a racket in the dusky peaceful evening. Since the area is cool and fairly devoid of mosquitoes, one can sleep without a ceiling fan. Most houses in the area gets their power source from turbines placed to catch water to turn the wheels over the tiny water streams or the bigger river.<br /><br /><br />We've opted to make this tour on a Friday which is a Poya holiday and this makes the motel crowded with the weekenders. these holiday makes are a breed on their own. The main idea of the men is alcohol and relaxation and after driving several miles on bad roads, nerves shot to extinction, they would open bottles as soon as the women folk are settled into the rooms with the misbehaving rude children playing havoc at the premises and you wonder what the situation at home would be like. Never did we hear a single mother discipline a child who would eat off the table with the food spilled in a diameter of several feet and food particles generously etched into all the crevices on the small faces and I don’t mean the mouth.<br /><br />Well, in all fairness, there was one family, parents of one girl who would have been about 12years old, who did behave very decently.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-sFNnoI/AAAAAAAAAjM/VtAig_lYypc/s1600-h/DSC_0077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281338055239507586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUsU-sFNnoI/AAAAAAAAAjM/VtAig_lYypc/s400/DSC_0077.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Layard's Parakeet</span></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-74196652534563433122008-12-18T05:19:00.001-08:002009-06-26T09:18:13.426-07:00Ratnapura and Maha Saman DevalayaDehiowita Turn off to Eheliyagoda. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPl0zJj4I/AAAAAAAAAdM/06aZ0rxRzwI/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121024292261762" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPl0zJj4I/AAAAAAAAAdM/06aZ0rxRzwI/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmGotV5I/AAAAAAAAAdU/XKh6a_p0w7w/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121029080307602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmGotV5I/AAAAAAAAAdU/XKh6a_p0w7w/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>Saman Devalaya<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmGsJBCI/AAAAAAAAAdc/q2xFDmBqU7U/s1600-h/DSC_0030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121029094704162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmGsJBCI/AAAAAAAAAdc/q2xFDmBqU7U/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmdW2cjI/AAAAAAAAAdk/yBJY3XdrlYg/s1600-h/DSC_0031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121035179422258" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmdW2cjI/AAAAAAAAAdk/yBJY3XdrlYg/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmg59eEI/AAAAAAAAAds/UQlBnfcq_NA/s1600-h/DSC_0032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121036131989570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpPmg59eEI/AAAAAAAAAds/UQlBnfcq_NA/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQWrxANrI/AAAAAAAAAd0/q7gmyyUxDXY/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121863680931506" style="WIDTH: 368px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQWrxANrI/AAAAAAAAAd0/q7gmyyUxDXY/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQXJ5ONCI/AAAAAAAAAd8/gOynQ4W8WYQ/s1600-h/DSC_0040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121871768466466" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQXJ5ONCI/AAAAAAAAAd8/gOynQ4W8WYQ/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQYbNji7I/AAAAAAAAAeE/gj7TNoiNEGA/s1600-h/DSC_0043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121893597023154" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQYbNji7I/AAAAAAAAAeE/gj7TNoiNEGA/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQYbzvNNI/AAAAAAAAAeM/y-j6bbeTrx8/s1600-h/DSC_0060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121893757170898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQYbzvNNI/AAAAAAAAAeM/y-j6bbeTrx8/s400/DSC_0060.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The Ratnapura Museum</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQYlILvUI/AAAAAAAAAeU/COhyfF3Z4wg/s1600-h/DSC_0061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281121896258846018" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SUpQYlILvUI/AAAAAAAAAeU/COhyfF3Z4wg/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-77277194280116801722008-09-19T19:23:00.000-07:002008-09-19T19:24:15.109-07:00<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4e4459354d4451354d773d3d0d0a&campaign=blog_playback_link&blogview=true" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play Journal" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4e4459354d4451354d773d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=commissionjunction&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own postcard - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/postcards" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox postcard</a></td></tr></table>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-14934812402430621802008-06-24T19:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T22:50:39.099-08:00Sri Lankan recipes for those who love spices and coconut milk<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SGGny4E6GqI/AAAAAAAAATc/TETituQuQPU/s1600-h/food.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215634335960013474" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SGGny4E6GqI/AAAAAAAAATc/TETituQuQPU/s320/food.jpg" border="0" /></a> (Please click on the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><em>title</em></strong></span> to view the sub link on recipes)<br />Sri Lanka boasts to a variety of spices that gives aroma and flavour when added to curries, may it been cooked over an open fire on a clay pot or a funky stainless kitchen in a large hotel.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Spices </strong></span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SGGqACKv6dI/AAAAAAAAATk/0X76yk0cZKo/s1600-h/Spices-Posters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215636761030420946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SGGqACKv6dI/AAAAAAAAATk/0X76yk0cZKo/s320/Spices-Posters.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here are some spicy details :<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Cinnamon<br /></strong>Cinnamon is the dried bark of various laurel trees in the cinnamomun family. Cinnamon sticks are made from long pieces of bark that are rolled, pressed and dried. True Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. It has a strong, sweet and woody fragrance. Cinnamon is used in cakes, cookies, and desserts throughout the world. It is also used in savory chicken and lamb dishes from the Middle East. In American cooking, Cinnamon is often paired with apples and used in other fruit and cereal dishes. Stick Cinnamon is used in pickling and for flavouring hot beverages.<br /><br /><strong>Cardamom<br /></strong>Cardamom is the seed of a tropical fruit in the ginger family known as Elettaria Cardamomum. The seeds are found in ovalshaped fruit pods that are between 1/4 and 1 inch long. It has an intense, pungent, sweet flavor. A small amount of Cardamom will add a tempting flavour to coffee cake, Danish pastry, specialty breads and apple pie. Try Cardamom the Arabic way and add a little to your ground coffee before brewing, then sweeten and top with cream.<br /><br /><strong>Cloves<br /></strong>Cloves are the rich, brown, dried, unopened flower buds of Syzygium Aromaticum, an evergreen tree in the myrtle family. The name comes from the French "clou" meaning nail. They have a strong, pungent aroma and tastes rather sweet. Traditionally, cloves have been used in spice cookies and cakes.<br /><br /><strong>Saffron<br /></strong>Saffron is the stigma of Crocus Sativus, a flowering plant in the crocus family. In its pure form, saffron is a mass of compressed, threadlike, dark orange strands. It has a spicy, pungent and bitter flavour with a sharp and penetrating odor. Saffron is traditionally used in French bouillabaisse, Spanish paella, Milanese risotto and many Middle Eastern dishes.<br /><br /><strong>MustardBlack</strong> mustard seed is very pungent and acrid. It is used whole, powdered or finely ground, in everything from pickles and chutneys to meat, fish and vegetable dishes.<br /><br /><strong>Lemon Grass</strong><br /><br /><br />A vital ingredient in Sri Lankan, Thai and Mexican cooking to flavour meat and fish.<br /><br /><strong>Nutmeg</strong><br /><br /><br />The fruits of the nutmeg tree have single-seed berries which produce two different spices, mace and nutmeg. They greatly improve the flavour of a curry dish.<br /><br /><strong>Chillis</strong><br /><br /><br />Ripe chillis may be cream, yellow, orange or even purple-black and are easy to dry in the sun or in a slow oven.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.fabfoodpix.com/emailindex.asp?display=full&code=F000327"></a><br />Almost all the recipes listed require fresh produce to bring out the flavour and keep the cooking time to a minimum to maintain the nourishment of the vegetable or the meat.<br />Use a pressure cooker to save energy as well as ruduce the cooking time by 3/4. This is a wonderful device to cook red meat curries and the lentils.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2005/20050513_foods.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2005/2005-05-13-03.asp&h=450&w=350&sz=37&tbnid=rUAfociSz0MJ::&tbnh=127&tbnw=99&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpictures%2Bof%2Bfoods&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image&cd=1"></a>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-79124082810882903432008-06-14T02:48:00.000-07:002008-06-14T02:53:28.806-07:00ReservationsPlease leave the following details on the comments and we will get back to you within one working day.<br />Dates of travel<br />Number of guests<br />Meal Plan<br />Room requests<br />Your name and contact details, prefereably email address.<br />Thank you.Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-40182681046490449822008-06-10T20:47:00.000-07:002008-06-10T20:53:07.349-07:00Earthwatch Expedition Briefing and FormsSri Lanka’s Temple Monkeys<br />Dr. Wolfgang P.J. Dittus<br />Smithsonian Institution Primate Project<br />29/12, St. Anthony's Road, Periyamulla,<br />Negombo,<br />Sri Lanka.<br /><br />Institute of Fundamental Studies<br />E X P E D I T I O N B R I E F I N G & F O R M S<br />Sri Lanka’s Temple<br />Monkeys<br />EXPEDITION BRIEFING<br />Team I: March 12 – March 24, 2007<br />Team II: May 7 – May 19, 2007<br />Team III: July 16 – July 28, 2007<br />Team IV: August 6 – August 18, 2007<br />Team V: August 20 – September 1, 2007<br />Team VI: September 24 – October 6, 2007<br />1<br />Smithsonian Institution Primate Project<br />140/12 Mapanawathura Road<br />Ka, Sri Lanka<br />Dear Earthwatch Volunteer,<br />Welcome to the 16th year of the Sri Lanka’s Temple Monkeys expedition! Three kinds of monkeys,<br />herds of wild elephants, 150 species of birds, sandy beaches and eighth century ruins of Hindu<br />and Buddhist temples and palaces beckon you to the environs of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa,<br />Sri Lanka. We seek your assistance for important conservation efforts and scientific studies of<br />primates.<br />Recently we have vastly reorganized our program for a richer Earthwatch volunteer experience.<br />Applying our unique knowledge from 35 years of research on toque macaques, we will continue<br />to investigate critical scientific hypotheses concerning the evolutionary costs and benefits of<br />social life in primates. However, this season we will also be broadening that focus. Three species<br />of diurnal monkeys share the forest habitat at our study site: the toque macaque, the grey or<br />hanuman langur, and the purple-faced langur. These primates differ in anatomy, social<br />organization, behavior and ecology. You will assist us in documenting the habits that allow these<br />three primates to coexist peacefully. To gain a fuller understanding of variations in ecology and<br />conservation prospects, we will make comparative observations of habitat, primates and other<br />wildlife by way of a safari to the nearby Minneriya National Park. At the park we are certain to<br />observe herds of wild elephant and possibly leopard, sloth-bear and other native creatures.<br />Your research tasks will bring you into close (and harmless) contact with the three primate<br />species, and some curious monkeys may even approach and groom you! During a three-day<br />training session we will teach you how to chart group movements, record activity and feeding<br />budgets, and note the often dramatic behaviors that occur when two groups meet. You will work<br />in pairs, initially under the guidance of a staff member, and participate in daily discussion and<br />data summary sessions.<br />Housing will be at our research station at Polonnaruwa. We can offer expert guidance for bird<br />watchers to help them appreciate the rich diversity of birdlife in this forest and lakeshore habitat.<br />You will also be invited to share our “vegetarian’s paradise” cuisine and the friendly<br />companionship of our Sri Lankan research staff. Additionally, our rendezvous location offers you<br />a relaxing start and conclusion of the project at a quality beach hotel near the airport.<br />I look forward to your assistance in our exploration of the fascinating social life of our distant<br />primate relatives.<br />Sincerely Yours,<br />Wolfgang Dittus, Ph.D.<br />Director, Primate Biology Program, Sri Lanka<br />2<br />Sri Lanka’s Temple Monkeys<br />Table of Contents<br />GENERAL INFORMATION..................................................................................................................... 3<br />THE EXPEDITION .................................................................................................................................... 4<br />1. PROJECT OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................. 4<br />2. RESEARCH AREA .................................................................................................................................. 5<br />3. PROJECT STAFF..................................................................................................................................... 6<br />DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD..................................................................................................................... 8<br />4. VOLUNTEER FIELD TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS................................................................................. 8<br />5. TEAM ITINERARY.................................................................................................................................. 9<br />6. DAILY SCHEDULE AND TASKS ............................................................................................................. 10<br />7. ACCOMMODATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 10<br />8. FOOD .................................................................................................................................................. 11<br />TRAVEL PLANNING.............................................................................................................................. 12<br />9. BEFORE YOU LEAVE ........................................................................................................................... 12<br />10. PROJECT CONDITIONS....................................................................................................................... 16<br />11. HEALTH INFORMATION..................................................................................................................... 18<br />12. PACKING CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................... 19<br />13. RECOMMENDED READING.................................................................................................................. 20<br />14. EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD .............................................................................................................. 21<br />15. HELPFUL RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................ 22<br />THE RESEARCH ..................................................................................................................................... 24<br />16. BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES AND METHODS ...................................................................................... 24<br />17. RESULTS AND OPPORTUNITIES........................................................................................................... 30<br />18. LITERATURE CITED........................................................................................................................... 32<br />EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST ................................................................................................ 39<br />3<br />GENERAL INFORMATION<br />PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Wolfgang P.J. Dittus, Ph.D.<br />POSITION/TITLE: 1) Research Biologist<br />2) Director<br />3) Senior Fellow<br />AFFILIATION: 1) Smithsonian Institution<br />2) Smithsonian Primate Project in Sri Lanka<br />3) Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka<br />PROJECT TITLE: Sri Lanka’s Temple Monkeys<br />RESEARCH SITE: Near the town of Polonnaruwa, North Central<br />Province, Sri Lanka<br />TEAM DATES IN FIELD: Note: All teams run Monday through Saturday<br />Team I: March 12 – March 24, 2007<br />Team II: May 7 – May 19, 2007<br />Team III: July 16 – July 28, 2007<br />Team IV: August 6 – August 18, 2007<br />Team V: August 20 – September 1, 2007<br />Team VI: September 24 – October 6, 2007<br />TEAM LENGTH: 13 days<br />TEAM SIZE: Minimum: 3 Maximum: 12<br />MINIMUM AGE OF PARTICIPATION: 18 years of age*<br />* It may be possible for 16- and 17-year-olds to participate if accompanied by a parent or<br />guardian. Contact Earthwatch for more information and see Section 9 ‘Before You Leave’ for<br />traveling advice for minors.<br />BRIEFING VERSION 1<br />4<br />THE EXPEDITION<br />1. PROJECT OVERVIEW<br />As an Earthwatch volunteer on the Sri Lanka’s Temple Monkeys project, you will learn about<br />yourself by gaining a greater understanding of the roots of human behavior. Like early humans,<br />monkeys live in families, tribes and communities. Monkey individuals have relatives, friends and<br />enemies, and use a rich variety of gestures to communicate. You will observe first-hand the soap<br />opera lives of monkeys with displays of care, courtship, passion, cooperation and teamwork, as<br />well as greed, jealousy, aggression, and tribal warfare. You will note the ecological challenges<br />facing them in a changing modern environment, and how you might promote their survival. You<br />will work in teams following monkeys through jungles embellished with the ancient ruins of<br />temples and palaces of a bygone civilization. The expert project staff will guide you in these<br />scientific and conservation endeavors. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy quality accommodation in a<br />scenic private lakeside field station that has earned a reputation for its exceptionally good food.<br />On excursions you will see herds of elephant and archaeological sites of interest.<br />The research will involve three species of monkeys native to Sri Lanka: the toque macaque, the<br />grey langur and the purple-faced langur. The investigations you’ll help conduct are backed by<br />information from more than three decades of past research. One current aim is to clarify some<br />aspects concerning the costs and benefits of social living, especially for female macaques of low<br />social status. A second, more general aim is to gain a better understanding of how these three<br />monkey species co-exist in a competitive relationship. Volunteer tasks are germane to both aims,<br />compliment other studies, and involve observation of the monkeys’ ranging, forest stratum use,<br />feeding and social behaviors.<br />5<br />2. RESEARCH AREA<br />Note: Climate information can be found in Section 10 ‘Project Conditions.’<br />Geography<br />The study site is located within the Nature Sanctuary and Archaeological Reserve next to the<br />town of Polonnaruwa in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area is a peninsula of<br />natural forest bordered by a lake, irrigation channel (river), abandoned or only partly used<br />agricultural land and scattered village settlements. It is connected to more extensive forest by a<br />narrow corridor. The terrain is generally flat with a relief of about 50 meters. Nearby hills rise to<br />about 300 meters and the central Sri Lankan massif can be seen in the distance across the lake<br />(Parakrama Samudra). The lake was built in the ninth century by Singhalese kings for<br />agricultural irrigation. Restored after 1920 following eight centuries of disuse, it required no<br />significant structural modifications for modern-day use.<br />Flora and Fauna<br />The dry evergreen forest of Sri Lanka is best envisioned as an intermediate environment, between<br />wet tropical rainforest and dry tropical deciduous forest. It is multi-storied, with a dense shrub<br />layer, a continuous non-deciduous forest canopy between 8-15 meters, and a partially deciduous<br />emergent layer up to 30 meters in height. About 65 different shrub and tree species contribute to<br />the forest’s diversity. At the study site, the shrub layer has been cleared in areas immediately<br />surrounding archaeological ruins. The degree of disturbance to the forest varies within the site.<br />The site serves as a safe haven for over 160 species of birds, 30 species of mammals and a variety<br />of large and small reptiles and amphibians. Leopard and bear, however, are found only in the<br />more extensive jungle areas adjacent to the study site and are rarely seen. Elephants may<br />occasionally visit the site for brief forays.<br />Culture<br />Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka in the ninth century, but was subsequently abandoned<br />in the 12th century and reverted to jungle. Many spectacular ruins enrich the natural setting and<br />Polonnaruwa is a major tourist attraction in South Asia. Sri Lankans are an easy-going, hospitable<br />and friendly people. They pride themselves in the highest literacy rate in Asia (second only to<br />Japan). Creating an interesting and typically tolerant blend in Sri Lankan society is the presence<br />of four major ethnic groups: Singhalese Buddhist (the most populous), Hindu Tamils (the largest<br />minority), Moslems and Christians.<br />Singhalese is the most commonly spoken language in Sri Lanka, especially in rural areas like<br />Polonaruwa. English is spoken in all tourist hotels, shops and travel-related services. Sri Lanka is<br />a conservative but very friendly society and good manners and modest dress are appreciated;<br />short shorts and other revealing clothes are inappropriate. Public showing of affection between<br />the sexes (e.g. kissing and touching) is socially unacceptable. Sri Lanka practices free speech and<br />politics and other topics can be discussed openly.<br />Threat of Terrorism<br />Sri Lanka remains a popular tourist destination for Europeans, despite the fact that in its recent<br />past the island has had its share of terrorist attacks, bombings and atrocities committed in the<br />civil war between the government forces and the Tamil Tigers, who wish to establish an<br />independent state. At the time this briefing was printed most of the action had been confined to<br />the northern and far eastern parts of the island. This project is not located near these potentially<br />dangerous regions and tourists and foreigners are not targeted in attacks. The study area is<br />6<br />located in the Cultural Triangle, a “safe zone” which is heavily visited by tourists and populated<br />by the Singhalese majority. Brown’s Beach Hotel, your team’s rendezvous point, is located in the<br />tourist strip near the town of Negombo far away from Colombo. All travel during the project<br />takes place along popular and safe tourist routes. Earthwatch closely monitors the safety<br />situation in Sri Lanka and will make volunteers aware of any changes during the field season.<br />3. PROJECT STAFF<br />Principal Investigator<br />Dr. Wolfgang Dittus holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Maryland and M.Sc. and<br />B.Sc. degrees from McGill University. His research specialties include animal communication,<br />behavioral ecology and population biology. He is responsible for coordination of the project.<br />Project Manager<br />Wanaja (Viji) Dittus, 42, holds as B.A. in International Studies from American University and<br />will assist in management of daily project business.<br />Research Coordinator<br />Sunil Gunatillake, 43, is currently earning a B.A. in Zoology. He started working on the project<br />in April 1986 and is currently responsible for assisting in volunteer training and research<br />execution. He communicates well in English.<br />Volunteer Liaison<br />Vatsala Wijekulasuriya, 34, has assisted as a liaison with more than seven Earthwatch teams<br />(2005-2006), and has earlier professional experience in public relations positions (Malaysian<br />Airlines). She is friendly, outgoing and speaks excellent English.<br />Research Assistants<br />Chameera Pathirathne, 26, has been employed with the project since March 2002 and will assist<br />in training and research. He is also a good mechanic and holds a part time job in a bank as a<br />computer technician. He communicates well in English.<br />Bandula Wijemanna, 31, has been employed with the project since March 2002 and will assist in<br />training and research. He resides full time at the field station and holds a part time job with the<br />local government. He is also an aspiring graduate student on the project. He holds a B.A. and is<br />still improving his English communication skills.<br />Susitha Priyashantha, 33, has been employed with the project since November 2005. He is an<br />expert on grey langurs and is also an artist. His English language skills are improving.<br />Kapilla Hewananda, 34, has been employed with the project since December 2003 and is a<br />specialist on purple-faced langurs and some of the macaques, as well as on plant identification.<br />His English language skills are improving.<br />Ruwan Jayawardena, 27, has been employed with the project since March 2006. Ruwan is also an<br />expert on grey langurs and speaks English rather well.<br />7<br />Chanaka Perera, 23, has been employed with the project since May 2002 and assists in research<br />and volunteer training, specializing on purple-faced langurs. He has a good command of the<br />English language.<br />Data Analysts and Project Consultants<br />Nirmala Basnayeke, 50, has been employed with the project since May 1986 and will serve as<br />office supervisor.<br />UHL Chandra, 50, has been employed with the project since July 1991 and will be responsible for<br />office data entry and communications.<br />Thamila Abeysinghe, 28, has been employed with the project since February 2001 and will be<br />responsible for data entry and accounts.<br />Cooks<br />PGR Ukku Banda, 61, has been chief cook since 1978 and is a first-class culinary expert.<br />Malini Kumarahami, 51, has been employed with the project since 1998 and is the second cook<br />and housekeeper.<br />K.D. Somawathie, 56, is the cooking assistant and head of the fishing village next door.<br />Mahesh Dassanayake, 19, is an efficient houseboy and has been working for the project since<br />June 2006.<br />Current Staffing Schedule (Subject to Change)<br />Staff Member Present Team I Team II Team III Team IV Team V Team VI<br />Wolfgang Dittus x x x x x x<br />Sunil Goonatillake x x x x x x<br />Vatsala Wijekulasuriya x x x x x x<br />Chameera Pathirathne x * x * x * x * x * x *<br />Bandula Wijemanna x ** x ** x ** x ** x ** x **<br />Susitha Priyashantha x x x x x x<br />Kapilla Hewananda x x x x x x<br />Ruwan Jayawardena x x x x x X<br />Chanaka Perera x x x x x x<br />*Chameera Pathirathne will be present for a half-day during each expedition.<br />**Bandula Wijemanna will be present on a part time basis during each expedition.<br />8<br />DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD<br />4. VOLUNTEER FIELD TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS<br />Training<br />Volunteers will be given three lectures: an introduction to the project and to volunteer roles, an<br />introduction to primate socio-ecology with special emphasis on the four primate species at<br />Polonnaruwa, and a lecture on the evolution of primate social behavior (research results from the<br />Principal Investigator’s 35 years of research). In addition, brief informal talks will serve to inform<br />volunteers of other important aspects of macaque biology and primate socio-ecology at<br />Polonnaruwa. A firm understanding of the underpinnings of the study should enable volunteers<br />to make more insightful observations.<br />The first three or four days will be spent learning to perform the assigned research tasks.<br />Volunteers will be provided with two manuals written by the Principal Investigator, which<br />describe the research and methods of data collection. Methods will be further explained and<br />practiced under the supervision of field research staff. As people differ in their skills and<br />preferences, volunteers are given the option to select their research task(s). Usually the most<br />satisfactory results are obtained when a volunteer specializes in only a few procedures. Daily<br />data summary sessions offer an opportunity to discuss data collection methods as well as the<br />results. On the last day, the Principal Investigator will lead a final data summary session<br />reviewing the accomplishments and results of the preceding two weeks of research. These results<br />will be discussed in light of the project as a whole and in the context of current sociobiological<br />issues.<br />Volunteer Assignments<br />This project would be impossible without a team of assistants. As in earlier field seasons,<br />Earthwatch volunteers will make valuable contributions to the research procedures below.<br />Macaque and Langur Identification<br />Under the guidance of field research staff, volunteers will be taught how to recognize macaques<br />individually by their natural markings. To this end, volunteers are encouraged to read the<br />training manual before putting their new skills to practice. Volunteers are expected to learn to<br />identify only a few easily recognized individuals. Grey and purple–faced langurs are more<br />difficult to identify individually, but they can be distinguished easily as to gender and size.<br />Identification of langurs to the level of age-sex class is adequate.<br />Animal Ecology<br />• Home range: Volunteers will first be trained in the method of charting home ranges and will<br />then be assigned to follow on foot a certain macaque or langur group as it moves through the<br />habitat. There will normally be two observers per primate group, one of whom navigates.<br />• Activity budget: Volunteers will be trained to recognize and record different activity states.<br />One of two crew members will be assigned the task of recording activity states as well as<br />foods consumed (see below).<br />9<br />• Feeding budget or diet: Volunteers will be trained to identify several easy–to-learn categories of<br />food types and food items. Once the skill of recording activity budgets has been mastered,<br />this additional information will be recorded by the crew member assigned the activity<br />budget. Botanical samples may also be collected for identification by staff when necessary.<br />Normally volunteers need to learn less than 20 items during any two week period.<br />Animal Behavior<br />• Intergroup encounters: Volunteers will be trained to identify and record behaviors typically<br />involved in encounters between species and between groups of the same species. Behaviors<br />will be recorded onto preprinted check-sheets.<br />• Additional tasks: Volunteers will have the opportunity to observe and assist in the recording of<br />a variety of social behaviors, including maternal care, grooming, aggression, wound care,<br />feeding competition, anti-predator behaviors, juvenile play and courtship.<br />Data Summary<br />During the daily data summary sessions volunteers will discuss and summarize their data under<br />the guidance of research staff.<br />5. TEAM ITINERARY<br />The itinerary is based on a 13-day cycle, starting on a Monday. Volunteers are advised to take at<br />least one day of rest at the rendezvous hotel before and/or after the project.<br />Day 1: Rendezvous, travel to Polonnaruwa and settle in<br />Day 2: Orientation on the local setting, research site and project; cricket match with staff<br />and volunteers; begin training<br />Days 3-4: Training period for research tasks during the day, lectures in the evenings<br />Day 4 or 5: Half-day safari to Minneriya National Park (comparative observations of<br />primates, elephants and other wildlife)<br />Days 5-6: Collection of data in the field, data summary, discussion of day’s experiences<br />Day 7: Non-research day; opportunity to travel to archaeological sites at Sigiriya and<br />Dambulla<br />Days 8-11: See Days 5-6<br />Day 12: Half-day set aside for sightseeing at archaeological ruins and the museum at the<br />study site; afternoon volunteer presentation of research results and group<br />discussion with Principal Investigator<br />Day 13: Departure from research site at 7:00 am<br />Recreational Activities<br />On the first day the team will stop for tea at Dambulla, keeping a watchful eye for wild elephants<br />in the jungle area between Habarana and Polonnaruwa. On Day 4 or 5 there will be a brief safari<br />to the nearby Minneriya National Park to observe primates, herds of elephants and other wildlife<br />(cost for transport and park entrance fee is about US$25-30). On Day 7 volunteers are offered the<br />option to go sightseeing at the archaeological ruins and temples at Sigiriya and Dambulla. This is<br />an all-day tour and a bus will be hired for convenient transport. This sightseeing tour costs<br />US$15-25 per volunteer for transport, plus an entrance fee of about US$15 for Sigiriya levied by<br />the Sri Lankan government. On Day 12 volunteers will be given a half-day in order to tour the<br />archaeological sites in the study area; these are among the most impressive in South Asia. On<br />Day 13, if all volunteers agree unanimously, the normally scheduled return trip to the<br />10<br />rendezvous beach resort in Negombo can be diverted to include a sightseeing tour of the hill<br />town of Kandy, the Peradeniya botanical gardens, and an elephant orphanage. The Day 13 tour<br />option carries a charge of US$10-15 per person. The botanical gardens and elephant orphanages<br />charge entrance fees of less than US$5.<br />Additional opportunities for communal recreation exist throughout the expedition. Volunteers<br />are encouraged to get to know everyone and to participate in a cricket match with the field staff<br />on Day 2. Soccer and swimming are also possible, with a lake located directly in front of the field<br />station and volunteer accommodations. Three hotels within a 10-minute walk have swimming<br />pools, bars and lounges. Volunteers also have the opportunity to go on walks around the lake or<br />to nearby archaeological ruins. A trip to town on the local bus takes only 15 minutes. The town<br />offers shopping and movies in the Singhalese, Tamil and Hindi languages.<br />6. DAILY SCHEDULE AND TASKS<br />Volunteers should be aware that schedules can and do fluctuate due to weather and research<br />needs. Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated. Macaque groups range over large<br />areas of forest and often take many hours (or days) to find. It is therefore necessary to locate a<br />group’s sleeping site on the evening before the next day’s observations. Macaques may leave<br />their sleeping trees and begin their day’s foraging trek at the break of dawn. The observer, well<br />rested and nourished, must be there before the macaques disappear into the forest.<br />A typical day at Polonnaruwa will be as follows:<br />5:30-10:30 am Rise before dawn, eat breakfast and drive to the study area (three kilometers<br />from accommodations); arrive in the field at dawn (6:00 am) for observations<br />(focal group’s sleeping tree will be located in the previous evening) and perform<br />data collection routines until about 10:30; return to field station and<br />accommodations<br />10:30-2:30 pm Lunch and rest period (opportunity to swim in the lake)<br />2:30-4:00 pm Afternoon tea, data summary and discussion<br />4:00-6:30 pm Drive to study site and locate next day’s focal group<br />6:30 pm Return to field station and accommodations, wash up<br />7:30 pm Dinner<br />7. ACCOMMODATIONS<br />Volunteers are offered rooms in three different houses at the field station. Rooms have recently<br />been renovated and past volunteers have appreciated their high quality. Rooms are simple but<br />comfortably furnished. There are 2-3 beds per room; some are extra long for tall persons. There<br />may also be some queen-sized beds available. Each room has its own attached bathroom with<br />modern flush toilet. Electricity (220 volts, 50 Hz) and fans (no air conditioning) are available in all<br />rooms. Pillows and mosquito nets will be provided, but volunteers must bring their own bed<br />linens and towels. There is no hot water, but the “cold” water is warm. The water has been<br />treated by the municipality and is safe for drinking from the tap. Large basins and an area for doit-<br />yourself laundry are provided. There is also laundry service available for US$0.50 per item of<br />clothing. The main lodge is well ventilated and has a double roof involving palm-leaf thatch for<br />solar insulation.<br />11<br />The field station is located within a private patch of jungle, and wild monkeys and other animals<br />are omnipresent to entertain the visitor and annoy the maintenance staff. Over 150 species of<br />birds can be seen here. Daily transport by minibus will be provided for all volunteers between<br />the work site and the field station. It is a 3-5 kilometer (10-16 minute) ride one way. Volunteers<br />are welcome to take local transport (buses, auto rickshaws) for personal excursions to and from<br />town, three kilometers (10 minutes) away. Three major hotels are within 5-10 minutes’ walking<br />distance.<br />8. FOOD<br />All meals are prepared by cooks and taken at the field station. Sri Lankan food is tasty and<br />normally spicy! Vegetarian diets can be accommodated, and in fact, volunteers have raved about<br />the vegetarian menu. Less spicy dishes can be prepared for volunteers upon request.<br />Below are examples of the foods you might expect during your expedition. Please bear in mind<br />that variety depends on availability. This list is intended to provide a general idea of food types,<br />but it is important that volunteers be flexible.<br />Breakfast: Fresh fruit, eggs, fresh bread or toast, oatmeal, jam and one or two local curries.<br />Lunch/Dinner: Rice and curry and other local specialties usually involve 3-5 different dishes of<br />vegetables, plus meat, eggs or fish, with fruit, curd (yogurt) or pudding for<br />dessert. Fresh lake fish (tilapia) is served frequently. Good meat is scarce. In<br />deference to Western palates, the curries are toned down. The menu changes<br />daily and Western-style dinners are sometimes served.<br />Snacks/Other: Several hotels and small stores are easily reached by foot or public transport.<br />Beverages: Ceylon tea, coffee, and potable tap water will be provided. Filtered water is<br />available from the kitchen cooks. Beer and soft drinks can usually be purchased<br />at the field station. A one-liter bottle of beer costs about US$1.50; soft drinks sell<br />for US$0.30. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is discouraged during breakfast<br />and lunch.<br />Water: Bottled water is available from stores at about US$0.50 per liter.<br />Special Dietary Requirements<br />Sri Lanka is not a traditional meat-eating country. Red meat is rarely served, but fresh lake fish<br />(tilapia) is served almost daily. Vegetarians and vegans can easily be accommodated, as can other<br />dietary restrictions; however, please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements as soon<br />as possible (e.g. diabetic, lactose intolerant, etc.).<br />12<br />TRAVEL PLANNING<br />9. BEFORE YOU LEAVE<br />For a listing of useful websites for passport and visa requirements see Section 15 ‘Helpful<br />Resources.’<br />Passport Information<br />Most volunteers traveling from outside Sri Lanka will require a passport valid for at least six<br />months beyond the dates of travel.<br />Visa Information<br />Citizens of the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, and most western European nations will not need to<br />get a visa prior to departure. They will obtain a 30-day tourist visa at no charge upon arrival at<br />the airport in Sri Lanka. Visitors must have a return or onward travel ticket and provide proof of<br />sufficient funds for travel. Longer stays require a trip to Colombo in order to obtain an extension.<br />Visa extensions require that the visitor show proof of financial assets (cash or traveler’s checks,<br />but NOT credit cards) amounting to about US$35 for each day that the visa extension is required.<br />Citizens of other countries should check with a local embassy, Escape Tourism (see ‘Rendezvous’),<br />a travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements.<br />If you plan to travel via India, you need a visa for India even to merely change airplanes,<br />which sometimes involves changing airports.<br />Note: On your visa application, state your purpose for visiting the country as “tourist” (vacation,<br />holiday or travel) and give the name of your first overnight hotel (e.g. Brown’s Beach Hotel,<br />Negombo) as your address in Sri Lanka. Do NOT mention Earthwatch, the Smithsonian or the<br />monkey project office, and do NOT use Earthwatch insignia on your clothes or luggage, as this<br />may cause complications with the customs and immigration officials. Earthwatch Institute sends<br />luggage tags and stickers displaying the Earthwatch logo to volunteers; please conceal these<br />items. Words such as “working”/”volunteering,” “research” or a “scientific expedition” can raise<br />questions concerning the country’s foreign labor laws and/or prompt questions about official<br />scientific research permits and credentials, etc., to which volunteers on their own will not be<br />equipped to respond. All required research permits for the project are in place and have been<br />approved by the proper authorities.<br />13<br />Essential Information for Volunteers Requiring Visas<br />Type of Visa You must get a TOURIST VISA. This is issued for free upon arrival at the<br />airport in Sri Lanka for most nationals.<br />Where to Get<br />a Visa<br />Citizens of most Western countries will be issued a free tourist visa valid for 30<br />days upon arrival at the Colombo airport. These nationals do NOT need to<br />obtain a visa from the Sri Lankan embassy in their countries. Nationals of<br />African countries should contact the nearest Sri Lankan embassy. If you are<br />unsure whether your county qualifies for a tourist visa upon arrival, please<br />check with the Sri Lankan embassy nearest you.<br />Required<br />Information<br />You must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay to<br />receive a visa.<br />Cost of a Visa<br />There is no cost for the 30-day tourist visa granted upon entry to US, Japanese,<br />Australian, Canadian, and most EU citizens. If you are required to get a visa<br />prior to arrival, they generally cost between US$40-100, but vary from country to<br />country and can potentially cost up to US$180. A visa agency will charge an<br />additional fee (depending on the amount of time it takes to process the<br />application), which you can inquire about directly.<br />Volunteers Under 18 Years of Age<br />Entry to Foreign Countries<br />In an effort to prevent international child abduction many governments have initiated<br />procedures at entry/exit points. It may be possible for 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in the<br />project if accompanied by a parent or guardian. In this case, if the minor will be traveling with<br />only one guardian or if for any reason they will be traveling alone, it may be necessary to have a<br />notarized letter from all legal guardians stipulating that they may travel unaccompanied or in the<br />presence of a single guardian. This letter must give an explanation for why only one parent or<br />someone other than a parent is signing the letter. For example, if one parent is deceased, only one<br />parent has legal guardianship, or someone other than the parents are legal guardians, the letter<br />should state that.<br />In addition, airlines may also have documentation requirements for unaccompanied minors.<br />Parents of minors are responsible for checking with each airline that their child will be flying to<br />ensure that sufficient documentation is provided. This could include a copy of a birth certificate<br />or a notarized letter stating that the minor has his or her parent’s permission to travel alone or<br />with only one parent.<br />Note: Requirements by specific countries and airlines vary and change frequently. You MUST<br />keep informed of the requirements on your own to avoid problems at immigration. If a letter is<br />not available, the volunteer under 18 can be refused entry into the country. There is nothing<br />Earthwatch Institute can do to help in this circumstance.<br />Travel Medical Insurance<br />Travel medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for Earthwatch volunteers while on an<br />Earthwatch expedition anywhere in the world. The insurance covers volunteer travel medical<br />risk, including medical expenses and medical evacuation, while traveling with Earthwatch<br />overseas or on an expedition within your home country. Without insurance, the costs of such<br />measures can range from US$20,000 to $50,000.<br />The emergency medical and evacuation assistance provider for Earthwatch is On Call<br />International. On Call is a 24-hour international operation which provides medical assistance and<br />14<br />evacuation, a 24-hour nurse help line and other travel assistance services such as lost baggage<br />and lost document assistance.<br />Basic coverage is valid in the country of your Earthwatch expedition and during international<br />travel to and from your expedition. If the expedition takes place in your home country, coverage<br />begins when your group forms for the expedition and ends when the group disbands, and is<br />incremental to your existing health insurance. Options are available for volunteers who would<br />like to extend the period of coverage, increase insurance amounts or purchase additional<br />cancellation or baggage insurance.<br />A detailed description of the Volunteer Medical and Evacuation Insurance Program policy,<br />including the optional coverage increases, will be sent with this briefing. Please note that<br />policies are specific to each Earthwatch office.<br />To contact On Call International in the event of an emergency, dial:<br />• 1-866-509-7715 from within the US<br />• +1-603-898-9159 from outside the US<br />State that you are on an Earthwatch expedition. The Earthwatch policy number is #US008020.<br />Cancellation Insurance<br />Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended for Earthwatch volunteers. Depending on the<br />level of coverage you purchase, cancellation insurance will help cover your airfare and<br />Earthwatch Contribution if you are unable to travel. Earthwatch Institute does not reimburse<br />airfare or costs associated with cancelled flights or expeditions. If your expedition is cancelled by<br />Earthwatch, the insurance company will not refund your airfare; they will only refund fees<br />associated with changing your tickets (usually about US$100-150). You are encouraged to buy<br />flexible or refundable plane tickets. See the Earthwatch Optional Coverage Application included in<br />your Expedition Briefing packet. Note that volunteers with preexisting medical conditions are<br />encouraged to explore their coverage options.<br />Earthwatch Europe volunteers can purchase travel insurance from Earthwatch, which is<br />underwritten by Endsleigh and includes Additional Cancellation Cover. Additional Cancellation<br />Cover insurance includes cover for non-refundable travel expenses should your expedition be<br />cancelled. Alternatively, if Earthwatch Europe volunteers hold their own travel insurance they<br />may be able to purchase Additional Cancellation Cover through their existing insurer.<br />Travel Agencies<br />Contact your local travel agent or use the web to find the lowest rates to make your travel<br />arrangements. A list of suggested travel agents can be found in, Section 15 ‘Helpful Resources.’ Be<br />sure to give your rendezvous details to your travel agent as soon as possible so they can plan<br />your trip accordingly.<br />Other Advice / Information<br />• Personal funds: The Sri Lankan rupee (Rs) is the national currency. Banks give the best<br />exchange rates; hotels the worst. Most credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard)<br />are accepted in large hotels. At smaller establishments, traveler’s checks are accepted more<br />often than credit cards. See the appendix for items, services and activities you will need to<br />include in your personal spending budget.<br />• Language: Singhalese is the most commonly spoken language, but most people encountered<br />by the volunteers will also speak English.<br />15<br />• Telephone dialing codes: 94 (country code), 11 (Colombo city code), 8 (Kandy city code), 27<br />(Polonnaruwa city code)<br />• Electricity: 220-240 volts, 50 Hz, three large round or square pins<br />• Time zone: GMT/UTC +6<br />• Plane reservations: Volunteers should make plane reservations as soon as possible, as Sri<br />Lanka is a very popular tourist destination. For reasonable fares to Sri Lanka, you might<br />prefer to make airline reservations personally through the national carrier Sri Lanka Airlines<br />(call 212-279-6585 or -6686).<br />• Travel via India: Note that you will need a visa for India even if you are only changing<br />airplanes or airports in the country.<br />• Reconfirmation of departure flight: Volunteers are responsible for making their own travel<br />arrangements and are advised to reconfirm their departure flights, especially those traveling<br />via India. This can be done by telephone from Polonnaruwa.<br />• Checking luggage: Please note that if you are checking your luggage for an international flight<br />with one or more connections, it will be necessary to collect your bags at the airport and have<br />them rechecked after proceeding through Customs.<br />• Gratuities to project staff: On their last day of their team, volunteers submit a written<br />evaluation (on a special form) of project staff and attributes. Volunteers wishing to express<br />their appreciation by tipping one or more of the staff members are expressly requested NOT<br />to tip any staff member directly. Instead, it is suggested that one volunteer takes up a<br />collection of tips from all volunteers, and submit this total to the Principal Investigator. The<br />Principal Investigator will accumulate such donations for the season, and divide the proceeds<br />among staff members in amounts proportional to their respective salaries, performance and<br />volunteer evaluations.<br />16<br />10. PROJECT CONDITIONS<br />Please show this section to your physician when he/she is completing your health statement. Be sure to<br />discuss inoculation requirements with your physician well in advance of your departure date. See Section<br />11 ‘Health Information’ for inoculation information.<br />To the examining physician:<br />Your patient has volunteered to join a field research team that has specific physical demands of<br />which you and your patient should be aware. We need your accurate evaluation of your<br />patient’s ability to meet the conditions detailed below in order to safeguard his/her health and<br />safety and ensure that he/she can participate fully and effectively.<br />General Conditions of the Research Site<br />Temperatures at Polonnaruwa are best described as comfortably warm to bearably hot, and range<br />between a mean minimum of 77°F/25°C and a mean maximum of 84°F/32°C. The morning hours<br />are the coolest and most pleasant for fieldwork. The noon rest hours can be hot, but a dip in the<br />lake is always refreshing. Late evenings and nights are almost always pleasant; only a sheet or<br />light blanket is required for sleeping. November through February are the coldest months,<br />whereas April and September are the hottest. The heaviest rains fall in November and December.<br />The driest months are June and July, and some slight to moderate rains can be expected in all<br />other months. Summer teams can expect to benefit from the strong cooling southwest monsoon<br />winds. High humidity can be expected after heavy rains.<br />Humidity 50% to 100%<br />Temperature Range 75°F/24°C to 90°F/32°C<br />Altitude 10 ft/3 m to 200 ft/61 m<br />Rainfall 0 to 8 cm per season<br />Demands of the Project<br />There will be no extraordinary physical demands placed on volunteers. Stamina, however, is<br />required in order to walk through shady forest vegetation in hot weather for several hours<br />continuously, and to occasionally crawl through thorny scrub. Fieldworkers do perspire and<br />must compensate water loss by drinking more than normal quantities. In terms of psychological<br />demands, behavioral observations demand patience, constant alertness and persistence. One has<br />to feel content to watch animals for long periods of time and to focus on the data collection<br />protocol. Fortunately, the monkeys almost always reward the observer with shows of delightful<br />and interesting behaviors.<br />Below are the expected physical demands of the project, but please keep in mind that conditions<br />may change and the project could potentially be more or less strenuous than the chart indicates.<br />Activity Workload Time<br />Sitting About 30% of observation time 2-3 hours per day for 10 days<br />Bending Sometimes when walking through shrubby areas Few minutes per day for 10 days<br />Walking 1-2 km slowly 4 hours per day at most<br />Medical Conditions of Special Concern<br />The walking is slow and involves much standing and occasional crawling through shrubs<br />(sometimes thorny), and the climate is hot and causes much sweating. Volunteers with conditions<br />that would make such exertion exceptionally difficult should reconsider participation.<br />17<br />Potential Hazards<br />Hazard Type Associated Risks and Precautions<br />Transportation Major road conditions in Sri Lanka are fair, while rural roads may not be wellmaintained.<br />The road to Polonnaruwa is paved and reasonably wellmaintained.<br />Road hazards include narrow lanes, fast and reckless drivers,<br />pedestrians and slow moving conveyances including carts, bicycles, etc. Traffic<br />moves on the left side of the road. Experienced and responsible drivers are<br />hired to transport volunteer teams; volunteers will NOT be permitted to drive.<br />Terrain Volunteers will be walking on footpaths as well as on the forest floor where<br />there are sticks, some rocks and uneven terrain underfoot. There are thorny<br />bushes that can scratch if appropriate clothing and footwear are not worn.<br />Snakes Sri Lanka has a number of snakes, some venomous, but these are rarely<br />encountered and no observer has been bitten in 37 years of research.<br />Insects There are surprisingly few biting insects at the project site. Ticks can be<br />troublesome but are easily managed with repellent, and they are not vectors for<br />human disease. A mosquito net and screened housing offers nighttime<br />protection from mosquitoes.<br />Climate/<br />Weather<br />The tropical sun is stronger than at higher latitudes and sunbathing is not<br />recommended. Volunteers should wear protective clothing and high factor<br />sunscreen, and should drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid<br />overheating and dehydration.<br />Personal<br />security<br />The project site is located in a safe region and threats to personal security are<br />minimal. All travel during the project takes place along popular and safe tourist<br />routes. Earthwatch closely monitors the safety situation in Sri Lanka and will<br />make volunteers aware of any changes during the field season. Young women<br />are advised NOT to travel unaccompanied while not working with the team.<br />Disease Mosquitoes may transmit malaria, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis.<br />Although these diseases are problems in some areas of Sri Lanka, they are<br />highly unlikely at Polonnaruwa. Be aware that some anti-malarial medication<br />causes undesirable side effects. The malaria in Sri Lanka (falciparum) is not<br />resistant to chloroquine and this drug can therefore be used to treat malaria.<br />There is no vaccine or preventative medication available for dengue, but basic<br />precautions including insect repellent and protective clothing. Japanese<br />encephalitis outbreaks have occurred in Sri lanka; however the risk of<br />contracting the disease is low, especially during the project team dates.<br />Japanese encephalitis is transmitted via mosquitoes so protection from<br />mosquitoes will further lower the risk. There is a vaccine for Japanese<br />encephalitis but it is not usually recommended unless you plan on staying in<br />the area for long periods of time (over one month). Other diseases found in Sri<br />Lanka include filariasis, leptospirosis, hepatitis, typhoid fever, cholera, rabies<br />and HIV/AIDS. Please see Section 11 ‘Health Information’ for inoculation<br />recommendations. Most diseases are prevented with basic safety cautions.<br />Please see the CDC (www.cdc.gov) or WHO (www.who.int) websites for more<br />information.<br />Food and water Most food on the project is cooked and the tap water is safe to drink. Please<br />consult your physician or local public health department about the risks of<br />freshwater bathing.<br />18<br />11. HEALTH INFORMATION<br />Routine Immunizations<br />All volunteers should make sure to have the following up-to-date immunizations: DPT<br />(diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (if you have<br />not already had chicken pox). Please be sure your tetanus shot is current.<br />Project Inoculations<br />The following are recommendations only. Medical decisions are the responsibility of each<br />volunteer. Note that health conditions around the world are constantly changing, so keep<br />informed and consult your physician, a local travel health clinic, the US Center for Disease<br />Control (www.cdc.gov), the World Health Organization (www.who.int) or the resources in<br />Section 15 ‘Helpful Resources’ for the latest health information for travelers. Please consult your<br />physician for guidance on inoculations if you intend to travel to other parts of the country<br />Typhoid<br />Hepatitis A<br />Hepatitis B<br />Inoculation is recommended for health reasons.<br />Japanese<br />Encephalitis<br />Japanese encephalitis is endemic to Sri Lanka. Peak transmission periods are<br />October-January and May-June. Vaccinations are usually recommended for<br />long term visitors, but also for visitors to rural areas.<br />Yellow Fever A Certificate of Vaccination is required if coming from a country or region<br />where yellow fever is endemic.<br />Rabies Volunteers may wish to consider the rabies vaccination since they will be in<br />close proximity to monkeys, although there is probably a higher risk of<br />contracting rabies from loose/stray dogs.<br />Other Advice / Information<br />• Cholera: No volunteer or project staff member has ever contracted cholera, however, it may be<br />present in the research area. In 1973 the World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing that<br />immunization cannot stop the spread of cholera among countries, deleted from the<br />International Health Regulations the requirement of cholera immunization as a condition of<br />admission to any country. In 1990 the WHO stated that immunization against cholera was<br />not effective and they do not recommend it. In 1991 the WHO confirmed that certification<br />was no longer required by any country or territory.<br />• Malaria: Project staff members never take anti-malaria medication because the probability of<br />contracting is extremely low and the cure is easier than the prevention. Many visitors to Sri<br />Lanka take anti-malarial medication, but you should be aware that some of the drugs may<br />cause unpleasant side effects. There are constant advances in the field and recommendations<br />change frequently. Please seek up-to-date medical advice and discuss this with a<br />knowledgeable doctor.<br />• Tuberculosis: The WHO estimates that one-third of the world’s population is infected with the<br />bacterium (M.tuberculosis) that causes tuberculosis (TB). Incidence of tuberculosis is higher in<br />developing countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. In<br />general, approximately 10% of persons infected with M. tuberculosis are at risk for developing<br />active TB during their lifetimes. TB is considered highly treatable with medications that are of<br />relatively low toxicity and cost. Volunteers returning from developing countries are<br />encouraged to have a (PPD)-tuberculin skin-test to screen for potential infection.<br />19<br />12. PACKING CONSIDERATIONS<br />PLEASE SEE THE PACKING CHECKLIST AT THE BACK OF THIS BRIEFING AND<br />REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR BRIEFING WITH YOU ON YOUR EXPEDITION.<br />Note: Airlines sometimes lose your luggage, and once lost, getting it to the field site can be a<br />major hassle. Therefore, if possible pack a full change of clothes, including one set of field clothes,<br />all your prescription drugs, toiletries, binoculars, and anything else that you absolutely cannot do<br />without for two weeks in your carry-on luggage. The project has only a limited supply of extra<br />bedding, towels and clothing for such emergencies. Please check with your airline for the most<br />up-to-date information on what you are able to carry onboard.<br />Volunteers will be provided with mosquito netting for beds and a khaki satchel for carrying<br />supplies needed for studying monkeys. Remember that laundry services are available at a<br />nominal charge, so you can pack less and wash clothes as necessary. Below is additional advice<br />on packing.<br />Uniform<br />Volunteers, like all students studying primates at Polonnaruwa, are required to wear special<br />outfits. The reasons for this are twofold. First, the macaques are habituated to observers who<br />move slowly and non-threateningly and who wear khaki-colored trousers, shirts and hats. The<br />color “khaki” includes light brown, tan and light grey-green. In this way, on appearance alone,<br />the monkeys can easily distinguish between the “good guys” and the rest of the world, whose<br />intent may not always be in the monkeys’ best interest. Secondly, the sanctuary doubles as an<br />archaeological reserve to which access by foreigners is restricted. Archaeological guards, the<br />police and most local people know project staff personally, and if not, at least by the uniform. It is<br />recommended that you bring permanent-press (cotton-polyester blends) work clothes found in<br />department and surplus stores. Additionally, loose fitting clothes are cooler than tight ones, and<br />for fieldwork, long trousers and shirts with short sleeves (not tank-tops) are required. Do NOT<br />bring clothes with camouflage designs.<br />Binoculars<br />Bring a small pair of eight-power or less that is lightweight around the neck. The ideal range for<br />binoculars is 6x20 to 8x40. The best quality brand is Leitz, their Trinovid models (e.g. 8x20) are<br />small and ideal. Zeiss, too, is excellent. If you are a frequent user of binoculars they are a good<br />investment. Soligor or Nikon are less expensive alternatives. Avoid cheap binoculars and<br />gimmicks such as “zoom,” “tropicalized” or “waterproof.”<br />Electrical Gadgets<br />Electricity in Sri Lanka is 220-240 volts and 50 Hz, whereas in the US and Canada it is 115 volts<br />and 60 Hz. Also, the Sri Lankan electrical sockets are large for round and/or square three-pin<br />plugs and do not accept the smaller US plugs. Therefore, please check your equipment with your<br />local electrical goods store and purchase step-down transformers and plug adapters if necessary.<br />Some video chargers are manufactured to international standards and switch automatically<br />between different voltages. The plug itself, however, may still need an adapter. The project does<br />not have extra adapters or transformers for distribution to volunteers.<br />20<br />Weather Considerations<br />Please take weather conditions into consideration when packing for your expedition. Climate<br />information can be found in Section 10 ‘Project Conditions.’ The climate at Polonnaruwa is<br />generally warm and dry. You should bring loose-fitting clothing, high SPF sunscreen and<br />sunglasses. Strong and dry southwest monsoon winds prevail from May through September.<br />Some evening showers may occur in March and October, though rain gear is not necessary.<br />Expedition Briefing and Packing Checklist<br />Make sure to bring your Earthwatch Expedition Briefing with you! It includes essential<br />information to which you may need to refer during your expedition, as well as during your<br />journey to and from the project site.<br />Please see the Expedition Packing Checklist for a complete list of what you will need to take<br />with you. You are encouraged to go through the list and mark off each required item right before<br />you leave for your expedition. This list conveniently tears out from the briefing, so you can take it<br />with you when shopping and preparing for your expedition. Make sure to bring the list with you<br />on your expedition so you can check it again before you return home!<br />13. RECOMMENDED READING<br />Below are recommended materials for those interested in further preparing for the expedition.<br />Many can be purchased online through popular vendors. See Section 15 ‘Helpful Resources’ for<br />suggested vendor websites.<br />Film/Television<br />• Temple Troop, BBC Natural World: Documentary film about the study of the toque macaques.<br />• Life of Mammals, BBC Natural World: Episode on Social Climbers with David Attenborough<br />that includes segments on the research with toque macaques.<br />General Research Background<br />• Dawkins, R. 1989. The Selfish Gene. Second Edition. Oxford University Press, New York: An<br />excellent introduction to the philosophical approach of the research.<br />• Trivers, R. 1985. Social Evolution. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Inc.: Introduces<br />important evolutionary considerations.<br />Research Background<br />• Dittus, W.P.J. 2004. Demography: a window to social evolution. In: Macaque Societies: Model<br />for the Study of Social Organization, Eds, Thierry, B., Singh, M., Kaumanns, W., Cambridge<br />University Press, Cambridge. Pp 87-116: Good overview of project research activity.<br />• Dittus, W.P.J. 1986. Sex differences in fitness following a group take-over among toque<br />macaques: testing models of social evolution. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology 19: 257-266: An<br />example of how intergroup behaviors affect their survival.<br />• Dittus, W.P.J. 1987. Group fusion among wild toque macaques: an extreme case of intergroup<br />resource competition. Behaviour 100: 247-291: Measures changes in the socio-ecological<br />relations between groups.<br />21<br />• Dittus, W.P.J. 1988. Group fission among wild toque macaques as a consequence of female<br />resource competition and environmental stress. Animal Behaviour 36: 1626-1645: Testing<br />hypotheses concerning the causes of group division.<br />• Dittus, W.P.J. 1998. Birth sex ratios in toque macaques and other mammals: integrating the<br />effects of maternal condition and competition. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 44: 149-160:<br />New hypotheses concerning the maternal investment in sons and daughters.<br />Area Background<br />• Lonely Planet Travel/Survival Kit for Sri Lanka<br />Project Field Report<br />Each Earthwatch Institute-supported project submits a report on the past year’s research and<br />results to Earthwatch, generally on an annual basis. The most recent field report for this project<br />may be available online through www.earthwatch.org. Note that reports are not available for all<br />projects.<br />14. EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD<br />The project staff can administer basic First Aid. Minor injuries or illnesses can be dealt with at<br />Polonnaruwa Hospital, which is small, rural and primitive by western standards, or at the Venus<br />Nursing Home.<br />Polonnaruwa General Hospital<br />Hospital Junction<br />Polonnaruwa<br />Tel: +94-(0)27-222-2261<br />Venus Nursing Home<br />Kaduruwela Road<br />Polonnaruwa<br />Tel: +94-(0)27-222-3205<br />Both are 5 km/3 mi away (10 minutes by car)<br />For major emergencies, evacuation will be provided to the nearest large modern hospital in<br />Colombo, about five hours away by car. There are daily flights out of Colombo to European or<br />other Asian capitals.<br />If a volunteer needs to leave the expedition early (for example in the case of a family emergency),<br />they will be transported to the airport or a hotel nearby using the project driver and vehicle.<br />Volunteers who need to leave early for emergency purposes will be expected to pay for the hiring<br />of the vehicle, which is approximately US$80 for the five-hour one-way journey.<br />22<br />15. HELPFUL RESOURCES<br />Project-Related and Principal Investigator Websites<br />• Web page for Dr. Dittus:<br />http://nationalzoo.si.edu/AboutUs/Staff/BiosAndProfiles/DittusWolf.cfm<br />• Polonnaruwa: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/201.htm<br />• The Temple Troop film: http://www.umbrella.co.uk/wildlife/ttroop.htm<br />Useful Visa Information<br />• General: http://www.embassyworld.com<br />• For Japanese citizens: http://www.rainbowt.jp/travel/visa_top.html<br />• For Australian citizens: http://www.travel.com.au<br />• Passport Visa Express (for US citizens): http://www.passportvisaexpress.com<br />• The Visaservice: http://www.visaservice.co.uk<br />• Thames Consular Services Ltd: http://www.visapassport.com<br />Travel Guidebooks and Booksellers<br />• Lonely Planet travel guidebooks and online travel site: http://www.lonelyplanet.com.<br />• The Rough Guide travel guidebooks and online travel site:<br />http://travel.roughguides.com/<br />• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com<br />• Barnes and Noble: http://www.bn.com<br />Travel and Airline Resources<br />• TravelNotes.org: http://www.1800-fly.com<br />• World Travel Guide: www.worldtravelguide.com<br />• Cheap Flights (worldwide): http://www.travelix.com/ or<br />http://www.discountair.com/<br />• Airport Codes Worldwide: http://www.logisticsworld.com/airports.asp<br />• Third World Traveler – offers many links for useful travel information:<br />http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Travel/Travel_Links.html<br />• STA Travel (contact Angie Kurtz or Chris Chappell and mention that you will be going<br />on an Earthwatch Expedition): http://www.statravel.com<br />36 Geary Street<br />San Francisco, CA 94108<br />Tel: +1 415 391-8407<br />Email: sfo@statravel.com<br />• STA Travel (UK): http://www.statravel.co.uk<br />Tel: +44 (0) 1865 792800<br />Fax: +44 (0) 1865 792911<br />Email: manager.oxford@statravel.co.uk<br />Quote code: EWE01/02<br />• Wexas International (Europe): http://www.wexas.com<br />Tel: +44 (0) 20 7581 8761<br />Fax: +44 (0) 20 7581 7679<br />Email: southern@wexas.com<br />Quote code: EWE01/02<br />• UK Foreign Office travel advice: http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel<br />23<br />• Democracy Travel (contact Jean S. West, Assistant Manager)<br />4818 MacArthur Blvd NW<br />Washington DC 20007<br />Tel: 202 965 7200 or 1-800-536-8728<br />Fax: 202 342 0471<br />Email: jean@democracytravel.com<br />• Esplanade Tours<br />160 Commonwealth Ave Suite L3<br />Boston, MA 02116 USA<br />Tel: 617-266-7465<br />Toll free in the US: 1-800-426-5492 or 1-800-628-4893<br />Fax: 617-262-9829<br />Email: info@esplanadetours.com<br />Country Information<br />• Country Reports - country information from around the world:<br />http://www.countryreports.org<br />• National Geographic Map Machine:<br />http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine<br />• US State Department: http://www.state.gov/<br />• World Time Server: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/ (time worldwide with<br />GMT/UTC) or http://worldbuddy.com<br />• Currency converter: http://www.xe.com/ucc/<br />• Electrical current converter: http://www.converterstore.com/voltage_chart.htm<br />http://kropla.com/electric2.htm<br />• Telephone dialing from and to anywhere: http://kropla.com/dialcode.htm<br />• Online unit conversions: http://www.onlineconversion.com<br />• Worldwide weather: http://www.worldweather.com,<br />http://www.wunderground.com or http://www.tutiempo.net/en/<br />• ATM locator: http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp or<br />http://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp<br />• Heat index (temperature, dewpoint and relative humidity):<br />http://www.weatherimages.org/data/heatindex.html<br />• Exhaustive list of weather resources: http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet/servers.html<br />Health Information<br />• US Travel Clinic Directory: http://www.astmh.org/scripts/clinindex.asp<br />• Travel Health website: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com<br />• Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov<br />Tel: +1 800 311-3435 or +1 888 232-3228<br />• World Health Organization: http://www.who.int<br />• The Travel Doctor (Australia): http://www.tmvc.com.au<br />Tel: +1 300 658-844 (within AU)<br />• Disease outbreaks: http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/<br />• Hospital for Tropical Diseases: http://www.thehtd.org/<br />• Travellers Healthline Advisory Service<br />Tel: 020 7950 7799<br />• MASTA Travelers’ Healthline (UK)<br />Tel: 0906 8 224100 (within UK)<br />24<br />THE RESEARCH<br />16. BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES AND METHODS<br />Overview<br />The proposed research has two integrated goals:<br />• To continue the detailed studies of toque macaque social evolution as clarified by<br />investigations of the behavioral, ecological and demographic consequences of female social<br />rebellion and group fission (the important process by which new macaque groups are<br />created)<br />• To investigate the ecological context in greater detail by comparing some aspects of the<br />behavior, ecology and demography of the macaque with that of the two sympatric folivorous<br />primates at the study site at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka<br />Brief ecological studies of the grey langur and purple-faced langur were done here more than 35<br />yeas ago. Since then, natural events like a cyclone in 1978 and human activity have caused some<br />environmental changes at the study site. Recent observations suggest considerable interspecific<br />competition for space and food among the three primate species making up this community, and<br />this project aims to clarify its socio-ecological nature and its demographic consequences within<br />and between species.<br />Toque macaques are medium-sized, long-tailed, brightly colored and socially active monkeys.<br />Both langur species are more than twice the size of macaques. The grey langur (the sacred<br />monkey of India, also know as the Hanuman langur after the Hindu monkey-god Hanuman) is<br />far more terrestrial than its purple-faced cousin. The macaques and purple-faced langurs are<br />endemic to Sri Lanka, where they live in diverse forest habitats. The subspecies of grey langur is<br />peculiar to Sri Lanka and perhaps to a restricted area of the tip of southern India. This project<br />studies these primates at a site of natural dry evergreen forest in the Polonnaruwa Nature<br />Sanctuary and Archaeological Reserve. The study currently encompasses a population of more<br />than 1,000 toque macaques comprising 33 different social groups. All of these macaques are<br />individually identified, their birthdates are known, and their social, ecological, genealogical and<br />demographic histories have been monitored continuously since 1968. It is one of the most<br />intensively studied wild populations of vertebrates. In addition, the project has censused 81<br />groups of purple-faced langurs (about 600 animals), 15 of them (approximately 120 individuals)<br />on a regular basis, and 23 groups of grey langurs (up to 550 individuals), 14 of them (290<br />individuals) regularly. About 20% of the langurs are known at the individual level.<br />The overall research objective of this project is to advance and disseminate knowledge<br />concerning the evolution of primate social behavior. Since behavior is a multifaceted<br />phenomenon, these studies involve a range of disciplines and topics. Before outlining the specific<br />aims, however, it is useful to review some prominent features of these primate populations, as<br />well as the issues they are currently facing.<br />Family and Group Structure<br />Toque macaques live in typical female-bonded social groups (Dittus 1979, Wrangham 1980, 1987)<br />consisting of one or more matrilineal families (grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, etc. and<br />25<br />their collective young). Female infants born into these groups remain there for life. Males<br />emigrate from their natal group at puberty and shift group membership usually more than once<br />in their lifetime (Lindburg 1969, Dittus 1975, Greenwood 1980). Consequently, breeding males<br />are not closely related to the females in their social groups. The two langur species have similar<br />organizations, except grey langurs may live in large multi-male groups (mean of 22 animals, but<br />up to 45), whereas purple-faced langurs live in small one-male groups of 6-12 individuals. Female<br />transfer among social groups is common for both langur species (Ripley 1965, Rudran 1970,<br />Manley 1978), but not for the macaques.<br />Social Strata and “Economic” Inequity<br />A strict hierarchy of dominance relations, or “peck-order,” exists at several levels of social<br />organization. First, within a family, mothers generally rank above their offspring (Sade 1967).<br />Second, at the level of the group, families are stratified such that all members of one family<br />dominate those of another, especially among peers (Missakian 1972, Dittus 1977, 1988, Baker-<br />Dittus 1985, Cheney 1977). Finally, there are fairly fixed dominance relations among groups<br />within a community of neighbors in the population (Hausfater 1972, Cheney 1987, Dittus 1987).<br />Rank in the hierarchy is economically significant because it determines an individual’s, family’s<br />or group’s degree of priority of access to limited resources (Dittus 1977, Wrangham 1981, Whitten<br />1983) and influences other ecologically important factors (e.g. Cheney and Seyfarth 1987). This in<br />turn is predicted to underlie differences in demographic performance (fitness) at these levels<br />(Dittus 1979, 1986, Cheney and Seyfarth 1987, Robinson 1988). Competition and hierarchical<br />relations are present but less markedly expressed in both langur species (Ripley 1970, personal<br />observation, also Hardy 1977, Sterck 1996).<br />Aggression and Resource Competition<br />In toque macaques more than 80% of all aggressive acts (outside the mating season) involve the<br />taking of food resources within a group by high-ranking individuals from low-ranking ones.<br />Such competition affects individual feeding efficiency, survivorship and reproductive success<br />(Dittus 2004).<br />Ecological Stress and Inter-Family Strife<br />At times of unusual food shortage (e.g. brought about by destruction of forest vegetation by a<br />cyclone), normally passive subordinate macaque females were found to violently rebel against<br />higher-ranking families within groups. These rebellions were particularly marked in large-sized<br />groups where the effects of a general food shortage would be especially acute among the lowest<br />ranking families. As a result of these increased levels of feuding, new social orders were<br />established within some groups. A major consequence of the strife was that families which lost in<br />their bid to increase or maintain their rank in the established hierarchy split away from the group<br />to establish a new and independent group (Dittus 1988). More recently (1995-2004), a<br />combination of population growth and drought appeared to underlie group fissions. These<br />phenomena have not been investigated in detail at Polonnaruwa among the langur species.<br />Intergroup Competition and Skirmishes<br />The home ranges of toque macaques overlap extensively, are fairly stable over time and their<br />boundaries are not defended (Dittus 1987). When groups encounter one another, the following<br />may occur:<br />• The subordinate group quickly and inconspicuously avoids the dominant group<br />• The two groups tolerate one another’s presence (juveniles may interact) and slowly drift<br />apart with no clear supplantation occurring<br />26<br />• One or more members of the dominant group approach and/or threaten the subordinate<br />group, which usually flees<br />• Members of the dominant group chase the subordinate group; this usually involves the active<br />participation of females, even to the extent that females of one group bite and kill those of the<br />other (unpublished data)<br />Most supplantations between groups occur at shared rich and concentrated food resources, such<br />as fruiting trees. Data indicates that groups of females compete for food and water resources.<br />Any one group at Polonnaruwa can expect to encounter at least one of its neighboring groups per<br />day. This rate can increase to several encounters per day at contested feeding sites. The grey<br />langurs’ intergroup behaviors are similar to those of the macaques, though different displays are<br />used, and the purple-faced langur is the most territorial in the sense of defending specific<br />boundaries in small home ranges (Manley 1986).<br />With some notable exceptions, large groups dominate small ones. Groups can be ranked among<br />their neighbors according to their success in competitive supplantations. Such intergroup<br />dominance ranks are fairly, but not invariably, constant over time (Dittus 1986, 1987, Cheney<br />1987, Cooper 2004).<br />Group Conquest and Extinction<br />Since macaques have been studied, the following series of events leading toward extinction has<br />occurred:<br />• One group of macaques suddenly invades the home range of its weaker neighbor, expels its<br />defending males and takes over the home range and resources of the “conquered” group<br />• The matrilineal families of the vanquished group are aggressively harassed and relegated to<br />the lowest ranks in the hierarchy of the newly fused groups<br />• The conquering group itself loses progressively more area of its home range and resources<br />owed to a series of lost intergroup skirmishes (over a period of years) with a larger and<br />dominant neighboring group<br />• All of the vanquished females, whose living space has been taken-over, suffer impaired<br />reproduction and lower survivorship and so die out within a period of eight years after being<br />conquered (Dittus 1986, 1987)<br />As a result of these events, three macaque groups have become extinct and others are predicted<br />to meet the same fate; however, environmental disturbance from humans is confounding the<br />process.<br />New Groups<br />In the 35 years of known history of the macaque population, 27 new groups have been formed: 21<br />through the division of 10 large groups into two or more small ones, and three through the fusion<br />of five pairs of small groups. In addition, three females have emigrated and two groups have<br />split and refused. Detailed published information exists concerning the behavioral, ecological and<br />demographic conditions contributing to the first four group fissions.<br />Recent Environmental Change and Conservation: The Impact of Tourism<br />The study site at Polonnaruwa is also a reserve harboring some of South Asia’s most impressive<br />archaeological ruins from the eighth to 11th centuries. Over the past 23 years the inflow of<br />European tourists has grown exponentially and this has been exacerbated by the growth in local<br />tourism over the past 13 years. Unmanaged tourism has left its impact on the environment and<br />the ecology of many groups of macaques, particularly those with access to garbage. Earthwatch<br />volunteers have assisted in measuring the effect of garbage on the diets, range habits and activity<br />27<br />budgets of groups with access to this kind of resource. This project has also documented the<br />rapid population growth of the groups that are so affected. Both langur species at Polonnaruwa<br />are minimally affected by this disturbance. However, the presence of a greater number of<br />macaques is predicted to affect the dynamics of this community of primates.<br />Research Objectives and Rationale<br />Group Fission in Toque Macaques<br />Theory and data suggest that an individual’s fitness should be partly determined by the qualities<br />of its social group (Dittus 2004, Wrangham 1980, Cheney and Seyfarth 1987a, Robinson 1988).<br />Individuals, especially adults, have some degree of choice when it comes to selecting what kind<br />of group they will join. In most mammals, males disperse from their native place and establish<br />one or more new social partnerships in their lifetimes (Greenwood 1980, Pusey and Packer 1988).<br />Although male social bonding is of interest in its own right, it will not be considered here. Instead<br />the research will focus on females. In groups of toque macaques, new female group members are<br />recruited mostly through birth and they remain in the company of their relatives through life.<br />Therefore, it is especially interesting when exceptional females do select to change their<br />established affiliation (Packer 1985, Moore 1984), either by leaving their natal group to form a<br />new and independent one, by fusing with another group of unrelated females, or by emigrating.<br />Not only are such events rare, but group fission and fusion are the only means by which new<br />social groups are created.<br />The aim of this research is to monitor the social, ecological and demographic fates of females<br />involved in the creation of new social groups and emigration. Such knowledge contributes to the<br />understanding of social evolution, as well as to the long-term genetic consequences of major<br />social events (Alexander 1974, Wilson 1975, West-Eberhard 1975, Melnick and Pearl 1987). In this<br />light, differences in female philopatry are seen as behavioral adaptations whose effects on fitness<br />can be measured (Lande and Arnold 1983, Arnold and Wade 1984a, b, Endler 1986, Brown 1988,<br />Grafen 1988).<br />A newly formed group differs from a long-established one of equivalent size in the following<br />important ways:<br />• As a group, its history of intergroup relationships is uncharted<br />• Because of new intergroup competition between the daughter groups created by fission, new<br />home range usage patterns develop<br />• Dispersal to new areas will require ecological and behavioral adjustments to previously<br />unknown obstacles and/or rewards<br />• Because of changes in the numbers and kinds (e.g. kinship) of group members in new<br />groups, intragroup social relationships may be greatly simplified for groups formed through<br />fission, but will be more complex for those formed through fusion<br />• Because of radical changes in group size, female relationships with males will differ owing to<br />a changed capacity for accommodating males<br />In short, compared to established groups, new ones are more likely to be challenged by a battery<br />of social as well as ecological changes. Solitary emigrant females face perhaps the severest social<br />challenges in a new group composed entirely of unrelated females (Southwick et al. 1974).<br />In reference to new groups created by fusion, Hauser et al. (1986) suggested that small-sized<br />groups of vervet monkeys fuse in order to increase their size and ability to compete with<br />neighboring groups. This has not occurred among the toque macaques at Polonnaruwa, but it<br />remains a possibility.<br />28<br />Data concerning group fission and fusion are important because they point clearly to the relevant<br />variables and hypotheses that must be considered for further study, and emphasize the need for<br />long-term measures. Some females of earlier group fission at Polonnaruwa (1979 and 1980) had<br />increased birth rates following fission, whereas others did not. Changes in other components of<br />fitness have likewise been mixed, but suggest that the survivorship of females and of their young<br />to reproductive age in some new groups offset any early gains in fecundity. With some<br />exceptions from the earlier years, data for some of the 22 more recent fissions (1986-2006) and<br />three fusions (1986-1991) are too short-term for meaningful demographic estimates. A major<br />result of group division in an already highly populated area is that splinter groups are being<br />forced into marginal areas and into small fragments of forest surrounded by cultivation. These<br />groups cling to survival in an inimical environment controlled by humans. This was noted also<br />for newly fissioned groups of other primates (e.g. Furuya 1968, 1969, Dunbar and Dunbar 1974,<br />Malik et al. 1984, Nash 1976, Cords and Rowell 1986). Furthermore, environmental factors do<br />affect individual fitness, either through habitat changes (e.g. Struhsaker 1973, 1976, Dittus 1977,<br />1982, Galat-Luong 1977, Mori 1979) or predator pressure (e.g. Cheney et al. 1981). None of these<br />studies, however, have documented the social, ecological or demographic fates of new groups.<br />Food is an important resource limiting individual survival and population growth (Dittus 1979,<br />1986, 2004). There is considerable variation in the quality of the habitat found within the home<br />ranges of the 32 social groups of macaques. These differences relate to forest stature and<br />composition, disturbance and access to free water, human cultivation or garbage. Therefore,<br />major differences between individuals and groups in activity budgets and dietary intakes (e.g.<br />Dittus 1977, Dunbar 1992, White 1992, Isbell and Young 1993, Byrne et al. 1993) have been<br />predicted, which in turn are predicted to influence vital statistics (Dittus 1977, 2004).<br />The current data points to the following three hypotheses:<br />• Compared to long established groups, some newly created ones will be disadvantaged in<br />intergroup resource competition, home range use and quality of habitat<br />• Socio-ecological differences among and within groups will affect the health and development<br />of individuals<br />• Over the long-term, members of newly created groups will survive and reproduce less well<br />than those of established groups of equivalent size<br />All three hypotheses include several more specific working hypotheses and corresponding data<br />collection protocols or studies. These address the various demographic, socio-ecological and<br />environmental phenomena that influence intergroup competitive success and, consequently,<br />development, epidemiology and fitness. The topics for these studies are:<br />• Home range and intergroup behaviors<br />• Socio-ecology (activity budgets, diet intake, forest layer use)<br />• Epidemiology, genetics and development<br />• Genealogy, demography and measures of fitness<br />• Intra-group dominance and social relations<br />The first two topics concern the first two hypotheses (although not exclusively) and will involve<br />Earthwatch volunteer participation. The third topic will require capturing and measuring<br />macaques and releasing them unharmed. The fourth and fifth will be conducted by staff yearround.<br />The research will compare important socio-ecological parameters of newly created groups<br />with those of established ones. Described below is the research with which Earthwatch<br />volunteers will be involved.<br />29<br />Ecological Comparison among Sympatric Primates<br />Comparative ecological studies of earlier years were followed by considerable work mainly in the<br />regions of South America and South East Asia. In the Indian region, however, there have been<br />few comparative ecological studies of sympatric primates until. The value of such studies is well<br />appreciated for understanding the ecological complexities of primate communities and for<br />conservation applications.<br />The initial work on the three primates at Polonnaruwa involved studies of ecology and/or<br />behavior and gut morphology, and laid the foundation for subsequent work. Hladik and Hladik<br />(1972) pioneered the comparative study and showed that the diets of the three primate species<br />overlapped, but characterized the purple-faced langur’s diet as 40% from one species of tree. This<br />project’s observation of 15 regular (and 81 total) groups of purple-faced langurs indicate that<br />diets in this species are far more diverse, most groups lacking the tree species altogether in their<br />diet. In some areas, feeding trees have been killed from over-browsing by both langur species<br />following general food shortage that resulted from a cyclone in 1978 (Dittus 1985b). Diets vary<br />between groups of the same species of all primates at the site depending on habitat (e.g. also<br />Palombit et al. 1997). Preliminary data on diet profiles suggest competitive exclusion particularly<br />of the purple-faced langur, whose diet is low on fruit. For example, at another site in Sri Lanka,<br />the purple-faced langur is the sole primate species and its diet is more than 50% fruit (Dela 2004).<br />The aim here is to compare the diets, range use patterns, forest stratum use and activities of the<br />three species of primate, both between groups of the same species and between species. Although<br />observations will be year-round by permanent project staff, Earthwatch volunteers will be<br />engaged to supplement regular observations during mostly the dry season (May to September)<br />when food is in short supply. At such times, key food plants assume greater importance and<br />competitive exclusion is likely to be most acute (Terborgh 1983, Cords 1986, Struhsaker 1978,<br />Tutin et al. 1997, Begon et al. 1986).<br />Data on ecological relationships among primates in general and specifically at Polonnaruwa<br />suggests the following hypotheses:<br />• Frugivorous toque macaques behaviorally exclude both folivorous langurs at shared fruiting<br />trees through direct behavioral competition<br />• The two folivores consume greater proportions of fruit in an unripe phase when these are not<br />eaten by the macaque and in this way indirectly compete with the macaque for this resource<br />These and related hypotheses can be tested by already established research protocols, and will be<br />carried out simultaneously on all three species of primate in areas where the home ranges of the<br />species overlap. Thus, for consistency in comparisons, the same observational protocols that have<br />been practiced on the macaques will be applied to the two species of langur.<br />Research Methods<br />The scientific methods used in this project have been developed and honed over many years of<br />research. A major change this season from earlier ones involving Earthwatch volunteers is the<br />elimination of trapping and handling macaques. Instead, volunteer experiences will be expanded<br />by comparative observational studies of all three species of primates at the study site.<br />In formulating working hypotheses and data collection protocols, behavior and success is best<br />measured in two ways: longitudinal measures compare the performance of the same set of<br />individuals, matrilines or groups through time, and cross-sectional measures compare females of<br />new groups with contemporary ones of established groups. Cross-sectional measures control for<br />30<br />environmental effects that change through time, whereas longitudinal ones control for<br />differences specific to individuals of groups.<br />All data will be recorded in the field onto preprinted datasheets that allow easy transcription into<br />the computer. All data collection protocols involve fairly simple procedures that have been<br />developed in the past and practiced by volunteers. Field equipment needs are primarily<br />binoculars and writing materials.<br />Ranging behavior is charted onto large-scale field maps indicating easily recognizable<br />geographical features, trails and markers. Maps are superimposed with a 100-meter grid. Group<br />movements, the location of group encounters, contested resources and other locality-specific<br />events are mapped in relation to time. In the analysis, the frequency and duration with which<br />each grid square is used is quantified as are locality-specific environmental characteristics and<br />behavioral events.<br />The measures of relevance here concern activity and feeding budgets. Both tasks involve focal<br />animal follows and require that the observer is able to recognize the focal individual, or, in the<br />case of langurs, focal age-sex class (e.g. adult female, juvenile male). An individual’s activity is<br />classed according to several easily recognized mutually exclusive activity states, such as foraging,<br />resting, grooming, etc. (Altmann 1974, Dittus 1977). Point-samples are scored at one-minute<br />intervals over six-hour sample periods over several days. The feeding budget or diet is scored<br />similarly in terms of point-samples of foods consumed. Volunteers are taught the half-dozen or<br />so food types that the primates are most likely to encounter during a 10-day observation period.<br />Volunteers also collect unknown food plants for identification by trained personnel.<br />A group is considered dominant over another if it consistently supplants the other at contested<br />resources and during encounters. A group’s success in intergroup competition for a resource,<br />such as feeding sites, is measured in terms of the frequency of supplants with neighboring<br />groups (e.g. Ripley 1967b, Dittus 1986) or species. A group’s change in its competitive ability over<br />time is measured similarly. Competitive success also takes into consideration home range and<br />resource usage patterns.<br />17. RESULTS AND OPPORTUNITIES<br />Results of 2002-2006 Research Seasons<br />Recent data collected with the assistance of Earthwatch volunteers included information on<br />socioecology (patterns of home range use, activity budgets, diet profiles and intergroup<br />encounters) and social behavior. Some exceptionally competent volunteers were assigned special<br />projects, such as comparing the behavior of mothers with an injured infant and the vigilance<br />behaviors of males in one-male groups.<br />With the increase in tourism to the study site over recent years it was evident that many macaque<br />groups were being exposed to garbage. Human settlements have been encroaching ever more<br />frequently and closer to the periphery of the study area, providing some macaque groups<br />opportunities for raiding refuse and crops. Earthwatch volunteers helped to document dietary<br />intakes of many different social groups. It is evident from these data that most observed groups<br />supplemented their natural diet with garbage and to a lesser extent with crops.<br />31<br />Benefits of the Research<br />This research has provided new information to expand the database of macaque biology and will<br />continue to contribute to the body of scientific knowledge. Earthwatch volunteers are<br />beneficiaries of this research as they experience a hands-on crash-course not only in wildlife<br />biology and primate ecological issues, but also in the challenges of conservation in the local<br />environment and culture.<br />Conservation Impact<br />This research project is leading conservation action in and around the Polonnaruwa area. As a<br />team project staff participate in nearly 100 conservation related actions annually in the local<br />community. The activity and presence of project staff and Earthwatch teams serves as a rallying<br />point for local conservation interest and action. New land area next to the research station has<br />been set aside for reserve protection owed to these efforts and coordination with local<br />government bodies.<br />Public Policy Impact<br />It is hoped that the publicity of this research and its results may be able to influence public policy,<br />especially for the protection of natural areas with habitat suitable for primates and other wildlife.<br />While this may be more of a dream than a reality, some impact has been made in the sense that<br />the project draws some conservation attention from local authorities. Local government<br />institutions are generally fully cooperative and seek the support of project staff in conservation<br />applications. Excellent conservation laws and policies are already in place in Sri Lanka; what is<br />lacking is their implementation and sufficient protected habitat suitable for primates. The<br />Principal Investigator is involved in the training of local conservation officers, and is also a<br />member of the National Species Conservation Advisory Group to the Ministry of Environment<br />and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka.<br />Local Dissemination of the Research Results<br />The research results have been shared with the local community in the following ways:<br />• Several professional nature films and programs produced by both international production<br />houses (e.g. BBC, Discovery Channel, Natural History New Zealand) and by the local<br />government television corporation<br />• The participation of local residents as permanent and temporary research assistants<br />• Educational outreach programs to local schools and universities<br />• Lectures by the Principal Investigator in local academic and public forums<br />• Television appearances by the project staff discussing local conservation and biological topics<br />• Public articles concerning the research in local magazines and/or newspapers<br />32<br />18. 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Phys Anthropol 78:327<br />39<br />EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST<br />Essential Items<br />This Expedition Briefing<br />Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary and credit cards in case the originals are lost<br />or stolen; the copies should be packed separately from the original documents<br />Visa and/or passport (if necessary)<br />Certification of inoculation (if necessary)<br />Required Items<br />Clothing/Footwear for Fieldwork<br />Note: Khaki-colored field clothing is required (see Section 12 ‘Packing Considerations’).<br />2 pairs of long khaki-colored trousers<br />4 short-sleeved khaki-colored shirts<br />Brimmed hat<br />Ankle boots or sturdy runners<br />Lightweight socks<br />Clothing/Footwear for Leisure<br />At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition and recreational trips<br />Lightweight t-shirts, shorts, sandals, etc. for casual wear<br />Swimsuit<br />Beach sandals/flip-flops<br />Field Supplies<br />Drybag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) for protecting equipment such as camera from<br />dust, humidity and water<br />Insect repellent spray<br />Water bottle(s) able to hold at least one liter<br />Protective sunscreen with high SPF<br />Binoculars<br />Wristwatch with clear minute and second indicators<br />Simple compass (e.g. SILVA brand)<br />Simple calculator<br />Camera and film (special film, such as ASA 400, is not reliably available locally)<br />Sturdy, bright flashlight/torch with plenty of batteries and an extra bulb<br />40<br />Bedding and Bathing<br />Bedding for single bed (2 sheets, 1-2 pillow cases)<br />1-2 towels<br />Personal Supplies<br />Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos are recommended)<br />Roll of toilet paper<br />Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for “washing” hands while in the field)<br />Personal First Aid kit (e.g. anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever,<br />bandages, blister covers, etc.) and personal medications<br />Miscellaneous<br />1 passport photograph of yourself for submission to the Principal Investigator upon arrival<br />Spending money; traveler’s checks and credit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard)<br />are better than foreign currency cash<br />Luggage that can be locked, or a small padlock (key or combination) for securing your<br />valuables<br />Alarm clock<br />Optional Items<br />Daypack for personal use (an appropriately designed satchel will be provided for fieldwork)<br />Earplugs<br />Pocket knife (pack in checked luggage)<br />Travel guide (Lonely Planet is highly recommended)<br />Books, games, journal, etc. for leisure time<br />Sunglasses<br />Telephone calling card (AT&T, MCI, BTT)<br />International student identification card (if applicable)Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-82192135931910997982008-05-21T20:07:00.000-07:002009-06-26T09:20:24.798-07:00Taking some time out to chill<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTl_ZlOWyI/AAAAAAAAASQ/p-f8pdOOZwo/s1600-h/Chaaya+Village+Tank+edge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203036346881301282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTl_ZlOWyI/AAAAAAAAASQ/p-f8pdOOZwo/s320/Chaaya+Village+Tank+edge.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTl_plOWzI/AAAAAAAAASY/YjOqXT_I0Jk/s1600-h/lotus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203036351176268594" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTl_plOWzI/AAAAAAAAASY/YjOqXT_I0Jk/s320/lotus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmAJlOW0I/AAAAAAAAASg/H97XdRLvtGw/s1600-h/Hab+lodge+pool+Area.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203036359766203202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmAJlOW0I/AAAAAAAAASg/H97XdRLvtGw/s320/Hab+lodge+pool+Area.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hotel Pool<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmsZlOW3I/AAAAAAAAAS4/4n-OU6-Vu_g/s1600-h/Flier.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203037119975414642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmsZlOW3I/AAAAAAAAAS4/4n-OU6-Vu_g/s320/Flier.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmAZlOW1I/AAAAAAAAASo/np1sQVBf0f4/s1600-h/Splash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203036364061170514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmAZlOW1I/AAAAAAAAASo/np1sQVBf0f4/s320/Splash.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmAplOW2I/AAAAAAAAASw/nQ3LboRPZ14/s1600-h/Pool+at+night+-+Hab.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203036368356137826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmAplOW2I/AAAAAAAAASw/nQ3LboRPZ14/s320/Pool+at+night+-+Hab.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmsplOW5I/AAAAAAAAATI/wEReeD38EVg/s1600-h/Hotel+Entrance+night+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203037124270381970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmsplOW5I/AAAAAAAAATI/wEReeD38EVg/s320/Hotel+Entrance+night+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmsZlOW4I/AAAAAAAAATA/q2dyxpLcLaQ/s1600-h/DSC_0073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203037119975414658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTmsZlOW4I/AAAAAAAAATA/q2dyxpLcLaQ/s320/DSC_0073.JPG" border="0" /></a>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-87324296488347332242008-05-21T19:51:00.001-07:002009-04-09T22:59:31.835-07:00Vesak<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiEJlOWtI/AAAAAAAAARo/tfe5BqxdVX8/s1600-h/Oil+Lamps+Gal+vihara.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203032030439168722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiEJlOWtI/AAAAAAAAARo/tfe5BqxdVX8/s320/Oil+Lamps+Gal+vihara.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiEplOWuI/AAAAAAAAARw/IvbYXXsqwPE/s1600-h/Galvihara+standing+Buddha.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203032039029103330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiEplOWuI/AAAAAAAAARw/IvbYXXsqwPE/s320/Galvihara+standing+Buddha.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiEplOWvI/AAAAAAAAAR4/w98jaX2wJmk/s1600-h/Chaaya+Village+Tank+edge.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiE5lOWwI/AAAAAAAAASA/xva0UznhRf4/s1600-h/Chloropsis+juv.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTiFJlOWxI/AAAAAAAAASI/Zsjv9sfxTqI/s1600-h/Flier.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgP5lOWoI/AAAAAAAAARA/JjDMPkxIQY4/s1600-h/DSC_0228.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203030033279376002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgP5lOWoI/AAAAAAAAARA/JjDMPkxIQY4/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQZlOWpI/AAAAAAAAARI/EieTZsru3Ks/s1600-h/DSC_0215.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203030041869310610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQZlOWpI/AAAAAAAAARI/EieTZsru3Ks/s320/DSC_0215.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQplOWqI/AAAAAAAAARQ/x9j82eZz0q8/s1600-h/DSCN4382.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203030046164277922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQplOWqI/AAAAAAAAARQ/x9j82eZz0q8/s320/DSCN4382.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQplOWrI/AAAAAAAAARY/gXn0FfJrABI/s1600-h/DSCN4385.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203030046164277938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQplOWrI/AAAAAAAAARY/gXn0FfJrABI/s320/DSCN4385.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQ5lOWsI/AAAAAAAAARg/OlQ0EHy72r4/s1600-h/DSCN4386.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203030050459245250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SDTgQ5lOWsI/AAAAAAAAARg/OlQ0EHy72r4/s320/DSCN4386.JPG" border="0" /></a>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-46056652086957294672008-05-12T20:30:00.000-07:002009-06-26T09:20:24.798-07:00Minneriya Bridge Panorama<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkMAuJ3D4I/AAAAAAAAAPY/vOhBi4qkXtc/s1600-h/Panorama+-+sun+change+at+MInneriya+bridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199700451304869762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkMAuJ3D4I/AAAAAAAAAPY/vOhBi4qkXtc/s400/Panorama+-+sun+change+at+MInneriya+bridge.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>These 6 pics were taken within one second intervals but the sun was not very helpeful, neither were the Soldiers from the SL Army who sit in the barracks a few metres away. </div>Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2327519475205767501.post-84551757935649036292008-05-12T19:57:00.000-07:002009-06-26T09:20:24.798-07:00Thanthirimale, Anuradhapura and KalawewaThanthirimale temple with carvings on the rocks of buddha images dating back to 9th century AD<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEieJ3DtI/AAAAAAAAAOA/yXM2BIqYBG0/s1600-h/Thanthirimale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199692235032432338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEieJ3DtI/AAAAAAAAAOA/yXM2BIqYBG0/s400/Thanthirimale.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />These are the 1st carvings. Sits well preserved, because faces opposite direction of the wind, for any monsoon season.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEi-J3DuI/AAAAAAAAAOI/WmX3AU7o0pE/s1600-h/Thanthrimale+rock+carvings.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199692243622366946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEi-J3DuI/AAAAAAAAAOI/WmX3AU7o0pE/s400/Thanthrimale+rock+carvings.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Buddha statue which is about 4feet tall.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEjOJ3DxI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_6VeTs7ZeZw/s1600-h/Rock+Buddha+Statue+Thantrimalle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199692247917334290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEjOJ3DxI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_6VeTs7ZeZw/s400/Rock+Buddha+Statue+Thantrimalle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hidden behind the waterhole area is a path which leads to several huts of the monestary and the famous "Library" hewn from rock, where the ancient scriptures were kept.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEi-J3DvI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/_Xj5vRjbgd4/s1600-h/Waterhole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199692243622366962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEi-J3DvI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/_Xj5vRjbgd4/s400/Waterhole.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the temple grounds the staff feeds wild deer who come in just for lunch, everyday.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEjOJ3DwI/AAAAAAAAAOY/PE7na8RG3ns/s1600-h/Tamed+deer+at+Thanthirimale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199692247917334274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkEjOJ3DwI/AAAAAAAAAOY/PE7na8RG3ns/s400/Tamed+deer+at+Thanthirimale.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Anuradhapura<br /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#000099;"></span></strong><br /><p>Mirisawetiya</p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHHeJ3DyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Iogdns-lXUo/s1600-h/Mirisawetiya+Anuradhapura.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199695069710847778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHHeJ3DyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Iogdns-lXUo/s400/Mirisawetiya+Anuradhapura.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>Elephant carving on the side of the dagobo.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHH-J3DzI/AAAAAAAAAOw/TYwPDhXfwTs/s1600-h/Mirisawetiya,+Elephant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199695078300782386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHH-J3DzI/AAAAAAAAAOw/TYwPDhXfwTs/s400/Mirisawetiya,+Elephant.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ancient guardstone, which now sits in the Museum.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHH-J3D0I/AAAAAAAAAO4/yjVK8J9nDW0/s1600-h/Carving.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199695078300782402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHH-J3D0I/AAAAAAAAAO4/yjVK8J9nDW0/s400/Carving.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Kalawewa<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHIeJ3D1I/AAAAAAAAAPA/g8DdV0zu-xk/s1600-h/Kalawewa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199695086890717010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHIeJ3D1I/AAAAAAAAAPA/g8DdV0zu-xk/s400/Kalawewa.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kalawewa flood gates are closed.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHIuJ3D2I/AAAAAAAAAPI/nM9FEyHiXuw/s1600-h/Kalawewa+Flood+Gates.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199695091185684322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkHIuJ3D2I/AAAAAAAAAPI/nM9FEyHiXuw/s400/Kalawewa+Flood+Gates.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Awvukana statue.<br /></span></strong><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199696139157704562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v8xH1hbD6wM/SCkIFuJ3D3I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/3Fca6aMlipo/s400/Avukana.jpg" border="0" />Vatsala Wijekulasuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06264070754301087024noreply@blogger.com0