Saturday 8th March - Day 34

Yesterday, I had a chance to pick up some turtles. Today I'm going to be Elephant Riding (that's me being carried by the elephant not the other way around, that would be silly).

I'm picked up by a driver at 6:30am. First we go to an 'art museum.' Where there is a big sell to buy pictures or prints from a 'famous' artist. A waste of time.

About three hours later, we are at the elephant sanctuary. And a pretty hefty entrance fee let's you in and have a ride on an elephant. See below: I'm the one in the red t-shirt and the elephant is in grey:

Riding an elephant is like... well, not really much to compare it with, but I wouldn't want to travel to the shops like this. Whilst I'm trying desperately to keep hold of a rope around his neck, the mahout (the elephant's trainer/handler) calls up to me and suggests he would like some money at the end of it. I'm in no position to talk at the moment. It's a relief to get off in the end and I'm walking a little widely for a while. The elephant didn't look too tired after the event. He didn't look unhappy when I got off either. Next, I'm shown elephants being bathed in a stream and how the mahouts use coconut shells to scrub the elephants skin. I'm invited to join in with the bathing, but I decline as I don't particularly want to be soaked by an elephant shower, which is what 'normally' happens, I have seen from published photos.

Then its off to a different sanctuary to see a mass herd of elephants making there way to the river. This was quite spectacular. Everyday at the same time they are led to the river along streets. Some free advice - It's best you give them right of way.

I could quite easily watch this all day. However, we have plans to go to Kandy. On the way there's a stop off at a tea producing factory and the obligatory pitch to buy something from the shop.

Kandy has a big Buddhist temple to look at and I go in hoping to look around. Straight away a guy latches on to me and starts talking about the site. I told him I don't want a guide, but he insists he just works there an official guide. It's a quite an impressive temple as are most that I've seen. It seems you have to have a lot of splendour around you to be holy. After the tour I'm charged to pick up my shoes and the guide wants money too - cheers mate - what happened to your 'official guide status ?' When I get to a mirror I'm going to check I haven't got a stamp on my forehead saying, 'Tourist, take money off me' or the like.

We head back to the hotel it's the end of another day.