Save A Prayer… For The Elephants

Duran Duran's Save A Prayer video included several sequences with the band riding elephants. Jeff and I are wary of the ethical implications of this practice, so we did not seek out opportunities to ride pachyderms. Instead, we opted to admire them in their natural habitat from a distance. So, there are no video recreations in this entry. Besides, it would have been very unwise to disembark from our jeep while we were among wild elephants.

In the afternoon, us and four other guests from Roy's Villa - Chris and Becky from the UK, and an Israeli couple - loaded ourselves onto a jeep and headed northwest for 45 minutes to Kaudulla National Park. There, we were treated to the awe inspiring sight of well over 100 elephants, along with water buffalo, monkeys, mongoose, and various birds.

Drama and chaos ensued towards the end of our safari when an amorous suitor approached a herd we were observing. The dominant male from the herd chased the sexually frustrated youngster away, but in doing so, he got among the vehicles. There were well over a dozen jeeps, and they all had to maneuver themselves away from the angry beast. We nearly crashed into another jeep while reversing, and the male did in fact have a staring contest with the occupants of another jeep before he walked away.

This was a great day out, but we were tired by the end of the day, and we even told the driver to take us back when he attempted to stop for one last herd sighting outside the park. I was impressed that the driver could spot elephants among the roadside vegetation in the fading light of day.

This trip cost is the equivalent of $45 each in cash. It made yet another dent to our cash situation.Läs mer