Today was our first day in Sri Lanka. We had an overnight flight that lasted only 4.5 hours and with the time change we were very tired but also very excited to start our tour of this sub-Indian country. We met our guide, Kumar and our driver, Amulete and boarded the bus to head up to Sigirya which is in the heart of the Sri Lankan jungle which is home to many wild elephants. Our first stop was at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where we got to see baby elephants being bottle-fed and then all of then watching as all of the elephants were paraded down to the river for their daily bath where they are scrubbed and washed. It was an amazing sight to have a coffee on a patio while watching Asian Elephants bathe in the river.

After the elephants it was off to our resort in Sigirya to check in to the hotel and then board the bus again for the Sigirya rock fortress. This is a Unesco World Heritage Site and was very amazing. We were given the option to hike to the top the next morning at 5:30 but due to our lack of sleep and sick stomachs we opted to climb to the top of a Buddhist temple instead.

That night was a great evening with friends by the pool enjoying drinks and some great food at the hotel. We were very eager to explore more of this amazing country.