Heading North

Scenic Route to Jaffna

Today was a travelling day as we headed north to Jaffna. The scenery was incredible as we followed the coast for much of the journey. We passed several nature reserves and lakes spotting, well the guide did, bitterns, kingfishers, sea eagles, herons, egrets and others. Lots of cows on the roads we think as a higher percentage of Hindus here. We also saw goat herds being walked along the country roads which was fun. It highlighted just how rural the areas we drove through were.

Even the towns are definitely less touristy but from what we've seen we feel they deserve to be more visited.

Unlike Cambodia and Laos where they have made recent wars part of their tourism, Sri Lankan hasn't done that and for the next few days we are in the heart of the final battles of their civil war, in areas where the Tamils were based. The main sights we saw as a reminder were lots of Demining signs as well as warnings to keep out of fields due to mines still present. We also passed two massive statues put up by the Government after the civil war celebrating their victory, which at a time of reconciliation seems a bit strange.

We wonder if the war is too recent and the atrocities on both sides too fresh in people's minds for more reminders to exist.

Car Troubles!

On a slightly lighter note, the guides car hasn't being going too well today. Not helped I guess by some of the bumpier roads/tracks we have on. After about an hour driving the car overheated, we had pointed out leaking coolant 2 days before so may be connected. The leak was fixed with the help of a local chap whilst we sat in 2 chairs that a local guy brought out for us. Then from half way into the 5 hour journey the car lost a lot of power and the acceleration wasn't there. The guide still drove as if it was fine and quite scary as he over took big lorries but then lost power. We saw vehicles approaching the other way but we weren't speeding up, we survived the day. Despite this we enjoyed today's journey and seeing a different part of the country.

The hotel in Jaffna seems much better than the coast one, although not the great views.