Full driving day today. Left Ella 9am. Drive south passing waterfalls and when down to flat ground, many kilometres of lush green fields, primarily rice paddies. Stop at Elephant Transit centre, where injured and orphaned elephants are treated until old and well enough to be released into the wild, carrying radio collars. Witnessed feeding time where they are let into the feeding area in batches. First stop is the milk section where they are given milk via a hose into their eagerly open mouths. Have to be forcefully moved on to allow the next batch. After milk they move over to a section where jack fruit tree branches are strewn about for them to eat. Some move to a small pond and throw water over themselves using their trunk.
Back on the road and stop at small roadside bakery for crocodile buns. Crescent shaped bready buns baked in wood fired ovens and sprinkled with sugar. Tasted great. Eventually reach south coast and head west along coast road. Lots of surf beaches and predominately young tourists. Stop to take photos of traditional stilt fishermen, standing on poles stuck in the sand in shallow section of beach and fishing with simple stick and line rods with small hook. No bait used. We pay about $1.50 each to take photos. These guys now earn as much from tourist photos as fishing. Continue on through Galle before reaching Hikkaduwa, another coastal town at 6pm. Check in and have a look around hotel and beach then dinner at local restaurant. Tomorrow go back to Galle for detailed tour.
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