Travel

Udawalawe National Park

They are truly amazing! Please stay a while and learn more about the elephant

"They are a large, funny animal, and they seem to know when they have done something dumb. They convey a sense of knowing how they fit into the world."

J. Poole quoted in 'The fate of the elephant'

Text and Pictures Ganga ILLEPERUMA in Udawalawe

Grazing in the park

...Solitude

Mother with baby

Thunpath rena

If I ask "How long can you look at the elephants?" You won't be able to answer because you won't know how time actually flies while you watch them. Such is their magnetism!

It was a lovely evening in Udawalawe National park and I was with my media colleagues

after a long time. The tour was arranged by former cricketer Romesh Kaluwitarana.

We entered the park by jeep with the guide who works in Udawalawe National Park. At a glance I saw the park looking so dry because of the rain. The rain had snatched the lovely green of the park. There were a few places with water and elephants came there to drink some that evening.

Nature creates mother's love in a wonderful way. Like human beings animals also love their kids a lot. While we moved by jeep we could see there were some baby elephants with their parents. Mothers tried to hide their babies from people who came to see them. Baby elephants also did not come out leaving their warmth. Parents protected their baby elephants and they did not give them any chance to walk about alone. It was really touching to see their motherly affection! Udawalawe is the best place in Asia to see herds of Asian Elephants.

The variety of terrain makes the habitat home to a variety of wildlife. While the woodland of old Teak trees lines the River Walawe, open grassland is traversed by streams and scrub jungle. The extensive area of grassland devoid of forest cover makes the viewing of elephants easier than anywhere else in Asia: herds up to 100 or even more could be seen along the river and near the numerous streams and tanks.

The wild elephants could be seen crossing the River Walawe too. The elephant-proof fence around the perimeter of the park prevents some 600 elephants, roaming freely around the reserve from getting out of it to attack the surrounding farmland.

Wildlife and Bird Life

The park is home to jungle cat, sloth bear, porcupine, pangolin, macaque, langur, jackal, leopard, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, bandicoot, fox giant flying squirrel, water buffalo, crocodile and water monitor lizard.

Birds gather in large numbers around the tanks. Among the aquatic birds are cormorants, kingfishers, herons and Indian darters. Endemic species include the Sri Lanka spur fowl, the Sri Lanka jungle fowl, the Malabar pied hornbill and the rare red-faced malkoha.

Leopard sightings although rare in this park do occur with some regularity, but you have to be very lucky to see one. There are five good locations worth visiting for leopard sightings; they consist of rocky outcrops where the leopards rest to enjoy the warmth of the first rays of early morning sunshine. There are good numbers of Crocodiles, Golden Jackals, Water Buffalo and Grey langurs amongst other large animals.

Taking separate early morning and late afternoon jeep drives does incur an additional park entry fee but allows you to enjoy the best of the wildlife viewing while looking after your own comfort.

Access

The easiest and quickest approach from Colombo is through Ratnapura Pelmadulla on the Embilipitiya road. The main entrance to the park is situated at the Udawalawe, Thanamalwila road about 11km from Udawalawe junction, which is the southern boundary of the park. The park is therefore only 115 miles from Colombo.

Kalu's Hideaway: Perfect getaway

Kalu was not only an outstanding cricketer Sri Lanka produced but is also a good hotelier.

Romesh Kaluwitarana, we call him Kalu, without hesitation (cricket commentators dubbed him Little Kalu) has been a popular and loveable cricketer in recent times in Sri Lanka Cricket.

After saying goodbye to Sri Lankan cricket he turned his attention to build a hotel in his favourite location in Sri Lanka. Two years ago he opened this lovely hotel and named it Kalu's Hideaway.

Kalu's Hideaway is an eco friendly modern jungle retreat built on five acres of land. This holiday bungalow consists of 7 rooms which surround the jungle. At the entrance to the hotel there is a Japanese style TV room in the lobby area which is common in other hotels. The TV room looks simple but it is a unique creation compared with other hotel entrances.

Close to the TV room there is a restaurant that serves a blend of western and eastern cuisines together with an all day A La Carte menu also offering BBQ at night. There is a paddy field on one side and it enhances the natural beauty of this property.

When you visit there you will really wish to enjoy the swimming pool with Jacuzzi, the best natural surrounding nature can provide with paddy fields and the jungle. A branch of the river Walawe goes behind the hotel making the hideaway also a location suitable for camping.

If you like to enjoy the outdoor facilities they offer you, take all nature walk, and enjoy bird watching, biking or volleyball. There are five rooms in the main structure which are more suitable for families or groups. Except these rooms there are two chalets situated few steps away from the other rooms.

The upper deck chalet is an ideal platform for honeymoon couples or those who wish to have complete privacy.

You can enjoy the calm breeze which come from the paddy field, the jungle and the river Walawe. It keeps you relaxed on a hot afternoon while you sit down under the tree or on the tree hut.

While the sunrise and sunset offer spectacular photographic opportunities of the tranquil surroundings and the blaze of colours that fade into the Rakwana mountain range which surrounds the hotel. When a guests comes here he can enjoy nature and he has more privacy to enjoy his vacation without any disturbance, without sounds of birds. Kalu's Hideaway is staffed with a helpful resident manager, Niranjan, chef and house keeping staff will make your stay a memorable experience making you feel relaxed.

It is an ideal location for family vacation, for wild life lovers and for honeymooners. "When I opened this hotel I thought I would name it 'Ali Dorakada' but I thought it gives some wrong meaning to the guests before they come here. Then I named this property as Kalu's Hideaway and I think that name is suitable for this place because this is the place

where guests can really hideaway from people, their busy lives and concrete forest on their holidays" said Kaluwitarana, owner of this property.

Kalu's Hideaway is 15 minutes away from the gates of the Uda Walawa National Park. Guests can visit Maduwanvala Walawwa (the former home of a village nobleman), Wawulpane (caves with a large bat population) as well. (G.I.)

"Balgove course" lounge at Jetwing St. Andrew's, Nuwara Eliya

Another unique feature was unveiled recently at Jetwing St Andrew's when the

"Balgove Course" Lounge was opened. This is expected to be a popular location in the hotel where one could enjoy and relax while being in good company.

The décor is more earthy colours with red being the dominant shade of them all. You enter through a swing door to a lounge which is unmatched with its rich history and ambiance that is created to blend with the rich heritage of Jetwing St Andrew's that dates back to 1875.

A wooden framed ceiling light globe chandelier easily creates an atmosphere that suits any taste of the guest. This aura is matched with the wooden panelled ceiling that truly creates a feeling of warmth. An elegant carpet complements the lounges and sofas with its rich reddish colour.

"This lounge is getting ever popular among our guests each day. The staff is friendly and efficient. The atmosphere is more casual and emphasis is given on enjoyment of one another's company. Of course, the ability to place your comments on the wall is also a unique feature in this ambiance that we have created," said Manager of Jetwing St Andrew's, Renuke Coswatte.