Negombo
to Kandy was our route for the day. Two stops were already planned, with the
main highlight being the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (Rambukkana)- a must-see for most
travelers on this route. When we arrived around 11:30am, the place was
bustling, even during the off-peak season, with a majority of Western tourists.
The orphanage, set in a vast open area, greeted us with flying dust and the
blazing Sri Lankan sun. We walked alongside hundreds of visitors, passing by
stalls and petty traders, making our way to the riverbank where elephants were
bathing and having fun.
The sight was incredible. Harmless,
friendly, huge, and small elephants were everywhere. You could take pictures
with them, as close as you dared, for a fee. Alternatively, you could just
enjoy watching from a distance, though you had to be careful on the slippery
surface and avoid getting pushed by the crowd. After about half an hour at the
riverbank, we made our way back to the main road, just in time to see the
elephant parade. The elephants obediently crossed the road right in front of
us, though I couldn’t tell where they were heading. Orphanage, most probably to the elephant
orphanage.
