A Day of Adventure and Surprises: From Elephants to Ancient Ruins
As we made our way to the city tour, we stumbled upon a delightful surprise—an elephant calmly enjoying its lunch right by the side of the road. It was a magical moment that added an unexpected touch of wonder to our journey!
Today was a whirlwind of activity, packed with unforgettable moments and a few unexpected twists. After a week of hand-washing our clothes, we finally had the chance to get our laundry properly done—a small but much-needed luxury when you’re on the road.
We kicked off the day early with breakfast at 7:00 AM and were on the bus by 8:30 AM, ready for another day of exploration. The best part? We’re staying at this beautiful resort for two nights, so we didn’t have to deal with the usual morning rush of packing. It felt like a little victory to leave our bags untouched and just head out for the day. 
Our first adventure was an elephant safari, and it did not disappoint. We piled into Jeeps, four to a vehicle, which gave us plenty of space to move around and take in the sights. It wasn’t long before we spotted our first group of elephants—four majestic creatures roaming freely.
Our driver was determined to point out a chameleon camouflaged in a tree, but try as I might, I just couldn’t spot it. Glenn managed to snap a photo, but it’s basically a picture of an entire tree. Maybe your eyes are better than mine—let me know if you can find it!
Luckily, I did spot the second chameleon our driver pointed out, but after that, the elephants seemed to disappear for a while. Instead, we were treated to the sight of a stunning peacock and a water buffalo cooling off in a lake.
Just as we were starting to wonder where the elephants had gone, a male bull, around 7-8 years old, made an appearance. Then, as if on cue, a few more elephants emerged from the bushes, hiding shyly in the foliage.
But the real magic happened when a mother elephant with two young calves, about 4 and 6 years old, came into view. She was clearly protective, holding her little ones back from venturing too close to the track. All she wanted was to cross safely, and it was such a tender moment to witness.
We saw a few more elephants before heading to the top of a rocky outcrop for a breathtaking panoramic view of Minneriya National Park. The landscape stretched out before us, lush and wild, a reminder of how incredible nature can be. We even caught sight of a couple of elephants shaded under some trees.
After the safari, we hopped back on the bus and stopped at a local restaurant for a quick lunch. Then, the group split up. Six of us, headed off for the Polonnaruwa City Tour, while the rest returned to the hotel to relax by the pool with cocktails.
Polonnaruwa turned out to be a surprise. I’ll admit, I didn’t do much research beforehand, so when I saw “city tour” on the itinerary, I imagined a bustling urban center. Instead, we were greeted by ancient ruins—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was both awe-inspiring and humbling.
The intricate carvings, towering stupas, and remnants of a bygone era were incredible to see, but by this point, I was running out of steam. The heat and the day’s adventures had caught up with me, and I found myself longing for a cool drink and a comfortable chair.
The drive back to the hotel took about an hour and a half, and it was quite an adventure. While drivers in Sri Lanka are generally safer than those in India, overtaking on the roads can still feel nerve-wracking. At times, it seemed like there was barely a layer of paint separating our vehicle from the others—definitely not for the faint of heart!
When we got back to the hotel, we received a message reminding us that dinner was scheduled for 7:30 pm. After a quick shower, we made it to the lobby by 7:20 pm, only to find out that Cham had arranged dinner at a local restaurant for Ally's birthday. However, after the long day, we were too exhausted to head out again. Instead, we opted for a simple meal of soup and a breadroll, then joined Kylie, Stephen, Wendy and Styfan, (our city tour group) who also decided to stay in.
As we sipped our drinks and shared stories about the day’s adventures, past travels, and personal interests, it struck me how these moments of connection truly deepen the bonds within a travel group. There’s something special about swapping experiences and insights under the stars—it’s these little moments that make group travel so memorable.
Despite the exhaustion, it was a day filled with wonder—from the gentle giants of Minneriya to the timeless beauty of Polonnaruwa. These are the moments that make travel so rewarding, even when they don’t go exactly as planned. Now, it’s time to recharge and see what tomorrow brings!
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