Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

We have travelled to Udawalawe Park, where we will soon have the treat of an elephant safari.

This time, we opt for a low budget accommodation -~at the Elephant Fence Guest House.

We often have no idea where we are going to sleep, sometimes until quite late in the day.  The search for the perfect temporary home is part of the “sport” of living a nomadic lifestyle. We occasionally get a “dud” but that is the exception to the rule. (We had one recent experience which was rather deserted and gloomy, where Ben plugged in his computer and blew all the electricity in the whole hotel, meaning we and everyone else lost access to our ceiling fans. It was a long and hot night.)

We do get an exposure to quite a variety of options, people and hospitality. Where ever we land up is our home for a night, or two or more, depending on how much we like the place. Our criteria are actually quite simple: a comfy bed and windows are a must, and a hot shower,  and good wifi are very desirable.

We find this particular guest house, with 2 small homey rooms, alongside the road, aptly named, as it is directly across the road from the fence which borders the Uduwalawe National Park.

Traveling by tuk tuk, it’s pretty easy to stop at  home stays and check them out.

Alongside the fence to the national park, there is an elephant (we later find out from a ranger, named Rambo.) He  enjoys getting food from passersby and we stop to say hello.

What we really enjoy about our stay at the Elephant Fence guest house is the family that hosts us. The mother is an excellent cook, the father is a sugar cane farmer.

We have 2 vegetarian curry meals which are absolutely delicious! Sri Lankan curry style is a myriad of different vegetables each prepared and plated separately, with it’s own distinct spices and flavors, always served with rice and papadam ( a crispy type of cracker.)

In the kitchen, the matriach cooks up a storm of curries.

From left: Beans, pumpkin, raw carrot and coconut, tomato and cucumber, lenti dahl, papadam and beetroot.

Bubblegum pink room. We moved the single bed onto the veranda which made for a nice day bed outside.

 The oldest son is the only one in the family who speaks English and he takes on the job of translator for his parents. We get a little insight into the life of this farming family before we are on our way again.

Posing for a photo with our host family.