Northcentral province in Srilanka is a dry and dusty zone. But there are popular national parks. Because dry zone's forests are wildlife sanctuaries.
Our destination was 'Minneriya national park. It's popular because of the elephants.
Our journey started in the evening. A jeep came to pick up us.
Jeep driver has driven speedy on the well-maintained road to enter the minneriya park.
'Minneriya national park' opens on 12 August 1997. But it's named a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. Because of the minneriya tank, many animals lived in that area. So officials decided to designate that area as a sanctuary.
This tank is built by 'king Mahasen' in the third century AD. Nowadays people who live there worship the king Mahasen as a god.
We entered the park and the jeep's speed reduce.
'Rain not even touch here for months." Driver said.
Browny color dried trees and dusty roads were explained to us.
But still, small streams go through the forest.
''When the rain started we can't drive like this. Because at that time this stream became a river.''
The driver said while driving on the stream. When we passed the stream we have to climb the mountain.
He took the jeep upper suddenly. We were like tamboo trees.
We were not able to see many animals until we arrived near the tank. Elephants. Elephants. Elephants. All around we can only see elephants and safari jeeps too.
Many locals and foreigners watch elephants from the road. There were phrases in Srilanka 'Bali baliilai 
ali ballilai epa wenne na'. (watching wired things and elephants is never boring.) It's true. We can look at them silently. It's really amazing. They were fed themselves. Babies run here and there. Parents tried to hide and protect them.
We were there for nearly half an hour. We went away give chance to others and freedom to elephants.
ali ballilai epa wenne na'. (watching wired things and elephants is never boring.) It's true. We can look at them silently. It's really amazing. They were fed themselves. Babies run here and there. Parents tried to hide and protect them.
We were there for nearly half an hour. We went away give chance to others and freedom to elephants.
When we came out of the park we were covered by dust. My husband's beard became browny. Always remember when you entered the park take a mask with you to protect your nose and mouth from the dust. And especially let the animal live their lives. Only keep picture memories. Don't drop any garbage. We should protect elephants and forests for us.
