Yes, a new country. In December, it was time for my father's sister, Anu atthe, and her son, Vishak to come. And they came at the time when we were planning to go to the new country. And that new country was a country that was closer to our country than some places that are in our country itself. This new country was the one and only Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was closer to Banglore than Delhi, which is in India itself. We left on December 2017. We reached the airport and got our driver. Our first stop was a place called Omeesha beach resort. Our driver lost the way when we were almost there. After finding the way, we drove a bit. Then, a Bengal monitor lizard (
Varanus bengalensis) crossed the road. I didn't have my camera then. Finally, after 3 boring hours of sitting in the car, we had reached. I spotted multiple garden spider (
Argiope) webs. I even spotted an adult antlion (
Myrmeleontidae). The larvae are known for making conical pits and when ants wander in, killing and eating them. I spotted 3 conical pits, and found the deadly larvae at the bottom. One of the managers asked "looking at crabs, there are many crabs on the beach". I acted as though I didn't understand English and walked away. Then, with Vishak, ran to the beach searching for crabs. I found trash on the beach. After watching "Blue Planet 2 ", I said that I will clean up all the trash that I find on the beach. Vishak and I cleaned up all the trash. We left the beach, had breakfast, and in 1 hour, it was time to go snorkeling. We went in a boat. We searched for a good spot to snorkel for one hour, but the ocean was too rough. Then, we found a place where it was calm. We went snorkeling. Vishak and my Anu atthe were too scared to get into the water. The reefs were dead. Very few fish were there. I picked up a tiny jellyfish by mistake, but it didn't sting me. We finished snorkeling. We came back, ate food, swam in the ocean and played on the beach. In the evening, I sat around. I watched some antlions. Suddenly, I found a tick on my body. I shaked it of and ran away. After that, I sat on a chair. Then, a movement caught my eye. It was a hermit crab (
Paguroidea). I played with it a lot. I decided to name him Hermeei.
Hermit crab (Pagurodidea)
The next day we woke up. I got out of my room and spotted a bird. I went inside and got my camera. He was a southern coucal (
Centropus parroti). He came really close, unlike other coucals that are very shy. I followed him around a lot. I decided to name him Bold. I left him alone and and ate breakfast. While eating breakfast, I spotted 2 bee eaters. They landed on a bamboo stalk. I took photos. I identified them as blue tailed bee eaters (
Merops philippinus).
Blue tailed bee eater (Merops philippinus)
After that, we were going to go dolphin watching. The manager said said 100% that we will see dolphins. I asked him what type of dolphins. He said they mainly see spinner dolphins (
Stenella longiostris). We went on a boat we searched for 1 hour. Flying fish joined us. Finally, we got a call from a ship that they have seen dolphins. We went there. We didn't see anything. We went away from there. We drove for another 1 hour.Suddenly, a giant emerged, and went under our boat. It was the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark (Rhicodon typus). Then, we got a call. We rushed there. We reached in half an hour. We didn't see anything. Someone else on the boat asked if we want to go swimming. We asked how. Before I even completed my question, He removed his shirt and jumped into the water. He swam for 2 minutes and then came back. We went back. We went there. The manager said that another boat had seen 100 dolphins. We had the same luck with tigers
before we went to Tadoba (they said they saw tigers everyday except the days we were there in Bandipur). The manager apologized. We had to leave that night. The manager said we can do dolphin watching for free if we we stay the night. In the evening, we went swimming. I found and named many more hermit crabs. Then, Anu atthe got stung by a jellyfish. I decided to come out of the water. I got into the water again after half an hour. I thought "I don't want get stung", and walked out. I tried to get out. Suddenly, I got stung. The tentacles hit my foot. I ran out of the water screaming. It felt like fire was dropped on my foot. I went back and took bath. It felt good after that. The next morning, I woke up early. I photographed the curlews and the terns. Then, our boat came. We went on our boat. We went on it for a few minutes. My mother shouted dolphin. We all looked. It was a turtle. My father and Vishak asked me what type of turtle it was. Even the guides didn’t know what type of turtle. I told them it was a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) female. They asked how do you know it is a female. I said “females have shorter tails than the male”. The glare on the water was too much, so I couldn’t get any photos. We drove for another half an hour. Then, we saw many boats gathered. We went there. Suddenly, a fin popped out of the water, followed by another, and another, and another. It was a pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longiostris). There were about 500 hundred of them. Suddenly, 5 of them jumped in unison. One of babies, for its namesake, kept spinning in the air. I tried to take a video, but it was too shaky. Then, 3 of them came right next to our boat from under the boat. Then, the baby dolphin spun again. Suddenly, a mother with her calf jumped out of the water. Dorsal fins surrounded us. We had never seen this in the common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that we usually see. We went back and told the manager about the 500 dolphins we saw. We ate breakfast and left. I slept for 3 hours in the car. Then, we reached our place. It was called, well; this is a secret, and the animal that we are looking for, that’s also a secret(Hint: it’s a national park). We met our driver. We went and bought biscuits just in case we were hungry. We were about to start the safari. Suddenly, I spotted a black bird flying. It was a Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus). We got out of the jeep and ran towards the hornbills. My father got photos, but the hornbills were too fast for me. Then, the hornbill flew into a clearing, but we had to get closer. We walked through grass. The driver says that see snakes in there. I kept walking. Then, I got a photo.
Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus)
After that, we continued the safari. We drove to a lake and found a spot billed pelican (Pelecanus phillipinensis). It was too far away. Then, we reached the reception. It was filled with toque macaques (Macacca sinica)
Toque macaques (Macacca sinica)
After that we went away. Then, the jeep stopped. It was a nest of greater banded hornets (Vespa tropica). After that, we proceeded.
Greater banded hornet
Then, we heard a loud sound. We looked. Then, we found it. It was a juvenile crested hawk eagle (Niseatus cirrhatus ceylanensis). It was a white bird, calling loud. We watched it and photographed it, until the driver got bored.
Crested hawk eagle (Niseatus cirrhatus ceylanensis)
After that, we went to a giant grassland. It had a big lake in the middle. We were on a path. Then, we found a puddle in the middle. There was a common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) in the puddle. It stood in front of us without a care in the world. We stopped for a few seconds, before we drove away.
Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
After moving a bit we came across a jeep that was stuck in the mud. We ignored it. Just after that, a paddyfield pipit came in front of us.
Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)
After that, our driver asked my father if we can stop and help the broken jeep. My father said yes. We went there. The people who were in the jeep said they were stuck for 3 hours. We tried and tried, but couldn’t get them unstuck. A mantis crawled on to the drivers cap. Then, another jeep came and took them. Then, our jeep rushed to the side of the lake. It was what this place was famous for. No, it’s not the famous Yala national park famous for it’s Sri Lankan leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya), but Kaudulla national park, famed for its giants. It was a male Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus). We observed the elephant till we decided to leave it. Then, we saw something. We drove a bit and then, on top of a bare tree, a male Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis) perched itself. After that, we proceeded. Then, we saw a male Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) dancing in all his glory. Then, the elephant chased it away. I looked on the other side. It had the rare lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus).
Lesser adjutant stork (Leptolitlos javanicus)
After that, our driver spotted a raptor in a tree. It was a brahminy kite (Halasur indus). Then, we spotted 2 wooly necked storks (Ciconia episcopus)
Wooly necked stork (Ciconia episcopus)
Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus)
Then, the elephant went into a dark woody area. Suddenly, another elephant came. They fought for a few seconds, and then retreated. It was too dark. Only after seeing my father’s grainy photos, we found out that they were fighting. Then, we got a call that they saw 30 elephants. We rushed there. On the way, we found another loner. He was just standing there. We left him alone. Then, we saw another elephant. It showed us its but, and…pooped. Vishak said “we should give him some privacy”. I agree. Then, we saw a crowd of jeeps far away. And some big brown rocks, or rather, elephants. We rushed there. There were 30 elephants on our right. They wanted to cross. A mother crossed. Then, a driver, went in between a mother and calf. The mother got angry and started trumpeting. The people inside the jeeps removed their selfie sticks and started taking photos. I’m pretty sure at that moment, the elephant mother was thinking “you people! If the forest department wouldn’t kill me, I would charge at you, throw you out, throw you around, and crush you with no mercy!” They do deserve it. Then, on the other side of the road, there was a 3 day old baby suckling from her mother. The noise everywhere was horrible. I felt like they should only allow people who promise not to make sound and drivers who wouldn’t get in the way of a mother and calf.
A family
It started to become dark. We drove back. We were supposed to be out by 5 p.m. We drove out by 5:30. When we were out, a family of elephants crossed the road. We went back. Then, we went to our hotel. This time, we were in Sigriya. My father instructed the manager, we need curd and plain rice (because I only eat curd rice). Then, we reached. He bought sweet yoghurt instead of curd. He went and bought curd. He didn’t have rice. I had to eat curd with fried rice. They didn’t even have my main source of hydration-juice. Then, I looked on a wall. I spotted a Leschanault’s leaf toed gecko (Hemidactylus leschenaultii). Then, I went to sleep. The next day, I woke up. I went out. The chirps of birds were loud. Then, I spotted a trail of matabele ants (Megaponera). I followed the ants. I knew they preyed on termites. Then, I spotted a termite mound. I went there. I spotted and ant on it. I filmed everything. Then, it caught a termite. Then, I spotted a shrike. I went close. It was a brown shrike (Lanius cristatus).
Brown shrike (Lanius cristatus)
After that, I heard the call of the national bird of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka junglefowl (Gallus lafyetti).
Sri Lanka junglefowl (Gallus lafyetti)
Then, we were about to leave, when 2 woodpeckers jumped on a tree. Then, they flew away.
Unidentified species of woodpecker
On the way, we stopped at a place to have juice. I got mango juice. Then, I spotted a dog sleeping. Then, I saw something very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very rare. A kitten approached the dog and had milk.
Cat (Felis catus) suckling from a dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
We wanted to climb up Lion's Rock, but it was 3 dollars for each person, so we decided to skip it. Instead, we went on an auto ride. We stopped at many places, including a temple where we found the macaques breaking a nest and a species of frog. Then, we moved on. Suddenly, my father shouted “stork!”. We stopped. It was a big flock of Asian openbill storks (Anastomus oscitans). Then, we spotted a small bird. It was a plain prinia (Prinia irnorata).
Asian openbill (Anastomus oscitans)
Then, we moved on. We were driving, then, suddenly, my father shouted “snake!” It went into the bushes. Then, my father spotted a crane (the bird). We came out of the auto. Vishak, I and my father went to look for the snake. Then, it ran even deeper into the bushes. But we could identify it as a Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis). The, we went down to look for the crane, but it was an openbill. We went down a path to a rice field. I saw cattle egrets (Bulbucus ibis), great egrets (Adrea alba), cormorants and openbill storks. Then, my mother pointed out a chestnut headed bee eater (Merops leschenaulti). I saw it. It was a green bee eater (Merops orientalis). We went back, then, we saw the monitor again. We drove and we saw another monitor. We came back. Then, we drove to Kandy. We had lunch. At night, we went to have coffee. Then, we went for a walk. We saw many roosting birds. A tree full of egrets. Then, we heard lot of sound. A large gathering of crows flew to their roosting spots. Ducks swam on the ground. Birds were everywhere. Then, I saw a black crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).
I shined a flashlight on it and took a photo. It didn’t even move.
Black crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
We moved on, then, we spotted many cormorants roosting. Our driver had driven away. After 30 minutes of walking, we found him. We went back. The next day, we went to a forest. We had heard that they had seen many birds and animals. We went there. There were monkeys everywhere. My mother removed some biscuits. Suddenly, she was swarmed by monkeys. She quickly threw it away and the monkeys followed. We walked. Right after walking in, we spotted an Indian barking deer (Muntiacus mutinjac). I didn’t get good photos of the deer. Then, we spotted an owl. It was a Sri Lankan brown fish owl (Ketupa zeylonensis zeylonensis). It was far away and the light was low so I got blurry photos. Then, we walked a bit more. Then, suddenly, I fell down and got hurt on my leg. Just after that, a mother Indian boar (Sus scrofa cristatus) and her 3 piglets ran in front of us. Then, we walked a bit more. Then, a big troop of macaques stood in front of us. They crossed the road. Suddenly, my mother shouted “leech!’. I asked “is a tiny leech more dangerous or a troop of monkeys more dangerous?” The monkeys crossed. Then we stopped at a tree. Right next to that tree, was a brown capped babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus). I didn’t see it till the last moment. Then, we walked back. I saw a pond with a turtle. Finally! An animal that I got good photos of.
Unidentified species of turtle
After that, we went away. Then, we spotted a tiny yellow bird. It flew right in front of us, but before I could get any photos, the bird flew away. Then, we walked away. Suddenly, we glimpsed the beautiful, blue mormon butterfly (Papilio polymnestor). After that, we drove back. We packed, and then left to go to Nuwara Eliya. We, drove and drove, then the driver lost directions midway. He couldn’t find any signs to the place we wanted to go, called, Lady Horton Bungalow. We found many Bungalows, but no sign said Lady Horton Bungalow. The driver asked many people, the people gave directions. Then, finally, we found it. The sign saying “The Bungalow” actually lead to Lady Horton Bungalow. We went in. We went to the bed and took rest. My father planned what we will do. He got a call from a person. That person said that Yala, the national park we were planning to go to, was crowded. He said it was a perfect place to go jeep-watching. We had experienced this many times, so we decided not to go to Yala. The next place we were going to, called Ella, was also canceled, as it was similar to Nuwara Eliya. Instead, we thought of going to the beach, so we booked a room for a place called Gems hotel. Later, we decided to go to Victoria Park, which is said to have species of rare birds. We went, it was drizzling. We went out. The first thing we saw were gray wagtails (Motacilla cinerea). Then, in a bush right next to us, was a Sri Lanka white-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis). It was deep in a bush, and very fidgety. We went away. We saw a lot of cattle egrets (Bulbucus ibis). Then, I spotted a common myna (Acridotheres tristis) and a spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis). We went back after that. On the way back, we stopped at a pond. There were stones that you could use to cross to the other side. My mother wanted to go. My father said no. My mother didn’t listen and went to the other side. Vishak went after that. I followed. Then, it started drizzling. We went back to the other side of the pond. Then, it started raining heavily. I heard many frogs, and waited, but still didn’t find anything. Then, we went and waited under shelter. Then, our driver came. The next day, we left to go for a hike. We got another driver and a different car for the place that we were going to go. The place we were going to go was called Horton Plains National Park. On the way, we stopped for looking at the scenery. Then, we stopped at a place to get snacks. I found 2 house sparrows (Passer domesticus) mating and a blue rock pigeon (Colombla livia) chick.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) mating
Then, on the way, we saw the Sri Lanka junglefowl again. Then, when we were almost there, we saw a male stag Sri Lankan sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor)
Sri Lankan sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor) on a foggy morning
Then, we reached. My father went to buy tickets, while I heard frogs calling. It was early morning and super foggy. A gray wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) foraged on the lotuses of a pond. Frog sounds were all around us. We waited for a long time as my father got tickets. Then, we started hiking. We reached an area where they check if you have any plastic. They cut the labels off any water bottles. We started the hike when it was drizzling. Our first bird was a red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer). It was drizzling, so we didn’t think of getting photos. Then, it stopped drizzling. I was walking, when suddenly, my mother called me. I ran towards her and asked her what it was. It was a giant common earthworm (Lumbicus terrestris).
Common earthworm (Lumbicus terrestris)
We walked a bit more. Then, my mother and father called me again. They pointed out a tiny bird that was far away. I got one photo before it flew away. We walked a bit more, a bit more, a bit more, and a lot more. Then, I came across a stretch of rocks with mud at the bottom. Then, I saw something sad. It was an….earthworm with a torn head. Blood was pouring out of its head. We walked a bit more. Suddenly, Vishak said “bird on the road”. We walked there. I heard some sound and saw it. It came out into a clearing. It was a Sri Lanka spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata).
Sri Lanka spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata)
We walked a bit more. Then, finally we reached the most famous thing. It was the famous World’s End. The fog was covering everything. I read a board that said we were 200 meters above sea level. Suddenly, my father saw a bird. I quickly grabbed my camera and got photos. We later identified it as a cinerous tit (Parus cinereus).
Cinerous tit (Parus cinereus)
I was too tired to walk any more, but I still did. Then, I came across a board. It said 3 species of birds that are endemic to Sri Lanka. The yellow eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus), the Sri Lanka white eye (Zosterops ceylonensis) and the Sri Lanka dull blue flycatcher (Eumyias sordida). I decided to keep walking. Then, we came across another board. It said if you are lucky you may come across the rare bear monkey (Trachypithecus vetulus monticola). Now I had to keep walking. We walked till we reached another World’s End. We didn’t see anything. Then, we went back. On the way, we spotted an Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum). It was running around in the bushes, totally hidden. We left it. Then, on the way back, We saw some tiny birds. I thought they were yellow eared bulbuls. No, they weren’t, they were Sri Lanka white eyes. They jumped everywhere. 2 flew into a bush. One leaped around. One of them suddenly flew away. One more came and joined the party. They jumped around. One jumped and disappeared into a bush. We spent 10 minutes and all I got was 1 good photo.
Sri Lanka whiteye (Zosterops ceylonensis)
We walked a bit more. Then, I decided to take a break on a rocky area. I took a break. Then, I decided to climb it. Then, my mother fell while she was standing on it. I thought “no way”. We walked back after that. We reached and walked back. I photographed the jungle crows. Then, Anu atthe said “look there, those people are looking at some insect”. I went there. It was a snake. I had never gotten a photo of a snake. It was the endemic Gunther’s rough sided snake (Aspidura guntheri).
Gunther’s rough sided snake (Aspidura guntheri)
We went back to the resort after that. We drove to a Chinese restaurant, but it was closed. Then, we found another restaurant that was open. We had lunch. Then, we left to go to Gems Hotel. We reached at night. We called Gems Hotel, and they gave us directions, but we couldn’t find them. Then, someone came; he said he’s from Gems Hotel. The driver didn’t stop and drove away. He got lost again. He said “I know this city better than you”. “I have seen people how take things from the car”. My father and mother started fighting with the driver. Then, my father went to a hotel and asked if they could accommodate us. In the meanwhile, the driver drove to a place called “The Ceylon Paradise”. Anu atthe said that they saw it while looking for a hotel, but it was too expensive. Then, we went back looking for my father. He said he found a hotel. We went to the hotel. It was called Gayana. We had dinner. The next day, we had breakfast. We spent time on the beach all day. That night, we went to Rekawa turtle hatchery. Vishak was sick that day. We waited for 1 hour. No turtles. Vishak and Anu atthe went back. We waited for 2 hours. We didn’t see anything. On the 3rd hour, We decided to go to the beach. On the way to the beach, we saw a giant hermit crab. We waited till 11 o’clock. We didn’t see anything. We went back. The next morning, we went to have breakfast. We placed our order. The driver asked where we were going. We told him. We were going to Kalametiya bird sanctuary. Vishak couldn’t come. We went inside as it was hot outside. We waited. Our coffee came quickly. We waited for 40 minutes, then they came and asked for the order. Another person sitting next to us, waited for 1 hour. He started fighting with the person who made us wait for long. We got our order before him. After eating, we went to Kalametiya. We met our guide, named Buddhi. We went there. Even before we got in the boat, we saw a flock of gull billed terns (Gelochiledon nilotica). Then, when we got in the boat, we saw a nesting rose ringed parakeet (Psitaculla krameri).
Gull billed terns (Gelochiledon nilotica)
After that, we spotted our next bird, A lone Indian darter (Aningha melanogaster) sitting on a branch far away.
Indian darter (Aningha melanogaster)
After that, we saw a grey heron (Adrea cinerea)
Grey heron (Adrea cinerea)
We went a bit further, and then found a white throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnesis). Then, just after that, a woodpecker flew above us into a tree. Then, another species, the lesser goldenbacked woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense) flew over our heads. Then, a tiny bird jumped in front of us. It was very fidgety. It was a tricoloured munia (Lonchura malcca). It flew everywhere, flying on to every single grass it could. It flew away eventually.
Tricoloured munia (Lonchura malacca)
Then, faaaaaaaaar away, we saw an Indian thick-knee (Burhinus indicus). Then, we heard the call of the lesser whistling duck (Dendrocygna javanica). I asked if we could find the whistling ducks. He said yes. We slowly went there. Then, suddenly, many whistling ducks flew over us. Then, we saw a grey headed swamphen (Porphyrio policephalus) quickly running away. We went a bit further and saw a pair whistling ducks.
Lesser whistling ducks (Dendrocyngna javanica)
Grey headed swamphen (Porphyrio policephalus)
Then, a bit further, we saw a few white birds. Those white birds were black winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus).
Black winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus)
We went a bit further, then, suddenly, a big flock of whistling ducks flew over us. We went a bit further, then, we found many little cormorants (Microcarbo niger).
Little cormorant (Microcarbo niger)
We went a bit further, then, we looked at some white birds, mistaking them as egrets the whole time, then, Buddhi said they were spoonbills.
Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucordodia)
Suddenly, after that, a heron like bird appeared in front of us. It was a yellow bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis). It flew away after 3 seconds of sitting. Then, we saw a painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) far away. After that we went into a channel. We went and saw the nests of tailobirds. Then, we heard the call of the green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea). Then, suddenly, an green imperial pigeon flew past us from far away. Then, we saw a white bird. We thought it was a sandpiper. It was just a female black winged stilt. Then, suddenly, a tiny bird appeared and flew away, never identified. Then, suddenly, a big brown bird flew out of a tree. It was a booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). It flew and sat. By the time we saw it, it took off. Then, 2 tiny birds came in front of us. They were the tricoloured munias. They flew everywhere. Left, to right, to left, to right, and a bit further, then left again. They didn’t allow me to photograph them, but, I didn’t care, because I got good photos the first time saw them. Then, I saw a cattle egret (Bulbucus ibis). The, ground was moving under it. Then, we found out, they were domestic water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).
Domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Then, another bird appeared. It was a commoner in India itself; it was a median egret (Adrea intermedia).
Median egret (Adrea intermedia)
We came across a few more stilts, and then, another brown bird. We couldn’t identify it.
A brown sandpiper like bird in between the stilts
Then, I tried to photograph the black headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus). After that, we saw a spot billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) perched on a tree.
Spot billed pelican (Pelecanus phillippensis)
We went a bit further. A tufted gray langur (Semnopithecus priam) jumped around in the trees.
Tufted gray langur (Semnopithecus priam)
Then, a bit further, Buddhi spotted something in a tree. It was a grey headed fish eagle (Haliaeetus ichthyaetus). We watched it for 10 minutes. Then, Buddhi asked if we want to get a photo of it in flight. We said “no need”.
Grey headed fish eagle (Haliateetus ichthyaetus)
On the way back, we heard the call of an Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus). Then, far away on a rock, we saw a sandpiper. Then, we spotted a blue bird, or rather, a blue cloth on the ground. We got back, the gull billed terns were still sitting there. We took a list, and ticked off the birds that we saw. We saw 38 species of birds. We went back. Then, we left somewhere. It is a secret, till the end. It was 1 and a half hours. We reached. Then, we went had lunch, and did shopping. While shopping, my father kept annoying us by saying Walllawallawatha, which was the name of the district. My mother and I got super annoyed. Then, My father, I and Vishak went to the room. My mother and Anu atthe went to look for the beach. Then, when they came back, they got lost. My father’s annoying Wallawallawatha actually helped them, as they asked for it. My mother took photos of the beach, and it looked strange. The next day, we left. We bought tickets. We were led to a vehicle. Then, we heard the call of a peafowl. Anu atthe called me, and showed me a silhouette of a real peacock on a coconut tree. We drove for 1 hour, till we found it. Far away, we saw a sign of it. We were in Mirissa, looking for the legendary balaenoptera musculus, the biggest animal in the world, the blue whale. The driver explained that these subspecies were pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda). We saw them far away, breathing air. Then, we went closer. Suddenly, I spotted a fin. I shouted “dorsal fin!’. The guides ran there. They said it was a whale shark. We went a bit further. We still saw it from far. We observed it from far away. Then, suddenly, a whale came up right next to us. It kept taking in air. Then, it showed us its tail and disappeared. We went a bit further, and then spotted another whale. It was a male and it also showed us its tail. A bit further, we spotted another whale. There’s no wonder that Mirissa is called “the whale watching capital of the world”. The guide left the whale and went to look for a pod of dolphins. I slept the whole way. Then, I woke up. Outside the boat, we saw to green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) mating. After that, we went back. We didn’t see anything. Finally, we came back. Then, I spotted a crow, but it had 2 eyelashes like things on it.
Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda)
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) mating
We came back and left. We were going to go to crocodile rock beach. We reached and immediately went swimming. The water was warm. The next day, we woke up and ate breakfast.
We went for a walk on the beach. My father went to go scuba diving. When, we were walking, a ghost crab ran by.
Ghost crab (Ocypodinae)
Then, we went back, another crab caught my eye. Vishak and I tried to locate it. Then, we found another new type of crab. It was black with an orange stripe on its back.
Unidentified type of crab
We went to check on the rocks for tide pools. We went there. On the way, we found several striped shore crabs (Pachygrapsus crassipes).
Striped shore crab (Pachygrapsus crassipes
Then, I found a hermit crab tucked in its shell. Then, we saw a fisherman with a crab. Another woman took that crab. Then, once we got into the tidepools, a new world was exposed. Giant pools were everywhere, Large rock faces with pools at the bottom. There were sea urchins everywhere. A giant pool contained a fish. There were anemones there too. Rocks scattered the place. Then, at the end, a giant rock face, exposing the ocean. A giant flat rock at the bottom was a haven for crabs and urchins. Algae covered the rocks. Anemones were over the algae. We turned and walked down. In a pool was a prickleback fish (Stichaeidae).
Prickleback (Sticaeidae)
Then, we went to pick up my father. He said another 2 hours. We went and ate lunch. Then, my father came back. We went to the tidepools again. Then, we went to the place where we saw the prickleback. Instead, my father pointed out 2 salamanders on the rocks. I looked at them. They weren’t salamanders, but, in fact, musdskippers (Oxudercinae).
Mudskipper (Oxudercinae)
They were land dwelling fish. On the way back, we spotted a giant, giant, giaaant ghost crab. It was 1 foot.
Ghost crab (Ocyponidae)
The next day, we went to the tidepools again, but we didn’t see anything. After that, we went to the resort. Vishak had woken up at 10 o’ clock. We were supposed to go snorkeling. We got life jackets from the resort. We went from the beach. The underwater camera we had broke, so we couldn’t take photos. We started from the beach itself. We went inside. A giant mass of brain coral were everywhere. Then, a fish appeared. Many more fishes emerged. There were fish everywhere. We swam through brain coral. Fishes were swimming around us. Then, a moray eel swam past us. We went back to shore. My mother went in next. She saw many fishes too. I spotted a bloodworm while sitting on the shore. I quickly grabbed it. It slipped, then, I caught it again. It slipped away. Then, when it was my turn again, I went in. I spotted so many fishes. Then, on a brain coral, there was a moray. It sat still. My father got scared and went away. We went back. My mother went in. Then, I went in after that. I spotted a sea cucumber at the bottom. After that, we went back, we had to go to get the flight. And so we left Sri Lanka.
