We were a little hesitant about taking the main road, as we really prefer to avoid traffic if we can, BUT, this is the main road at peak hour...
For the most part the only other company we had on the road were of the 4 legged kind.. (I LOVE cows! I could photograph them forever!)
The towns were really beautiful, and there was certainly lots to look at. We passed by places of worship of all denominations - churches, mosques, buddhist temples and Hindu temples.
It's amazing that for such a small country, that even within the 150km we travelled that day, the terrain changed so much.
At times the roadsides were teeming with birdlife, as they splashed and bathed in the impromptu wetlands that spring up with every big downpour of rain. Then a few kilometres down the road we would be in dry sparse desert. And then around the corner, we would be in salt plains. And then more lush green surrounds.
At times the roadsides were teeming with birdlife, as they splashed and bathed in the impromptu wetlands that spring up with every big downpour of rain. Then a few kilometres down the road we would be in dry sparse desert. And then around the corner, we would be in salt plains. And then more lush green surrounds.
The constantly changing landscape means it's never safe to put your camera away..
And then, as soon as we crossed into Mannar province, we started seeing them. At first just one or two. And then in groups of 10 plus!
DONKEYS!!
Here, there, everywhere!!
As strange as it seems, wild donkeys really do roam the streets of Mannar Island! I don't think reading about it in a guidebook or on the internet can truly prepare you for just how many you will find!
And what really surprised us is that the locals haven't tried to domesticate them for use around their farms. Nor are they necessarily considered holy. They are just left alone to do as they please.
Here, there, everywhere!!
As strange as it seems, wild donkeys really do roam the streets of Mannar Island! I don't think reading about it in a guidebook or on the internet can truly prepare you for just how many you will find!
And what really surprised us is that the locals haven't tried to domesticate them for use around their farms. Nor are they necessarily considered holy. They are just left alone to do as they please.
On Mannar Island there isn't a great deal to do. The beaches are nice and the fort is nice. The town is cute and very laid-back and about as far off the tourist trail as you can get. It's not really a "doing thing" type of place. More somewhere that is nice to go to get away from the backpacker trail and just chill out for a couple of days. And there are certainly lots of donkeys and cows and goats to photograph!! Oh, and there is a Baobab tree too of course!
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