As the day draws to an end I have now made my way again to the Dolphin Hotel for a drink and to Blog some more pictures and my latest impressions.  Things are going well, so well that  I am waiting for the fall to come  because  there hasn't been a single downside yet.  I am an emotional person as a musician, I was doing so well until I arrived at the hotel…….. there is live music, not half bad as it happens  and I found it all a bit intense, sights sounds and all the things that I like to do, see and hear all mashed together was almost a sensory overload, some good music and of course a beer almost took a hold my emotions and nearly tipped my over the top.  But I have taken a grip now!  But wow, what an experience I had when I left the Hotel late this afternoon. I made my way back to the river and jumped in a three wheeled taxi vehicle for the short 1/2 mile journey.  It was overcast and the clouds were heavy with rain and even though sunset was still an hour away it was almost dusk.  It was hot and very muggy, the kind of weather that almost steams your glasses. I had stalked a few birds,  mostly  Cattle Egret but an elusive Great Stone-curlew or Great Thick-knee (Esacus recurvirostris) evaded  me as I tried to get near and it was a bit frustrating.  This was a first for me and I would have liked a photo as I have photographed a similar species in Australia. Suddenly the heavy clouds got too heavy and giant rain drops began to fall. My 3 wheeled Taxi driver appeared from nowhere (with wife on board) unannounced, to get me……… thats what you call service, and I climbed back onboard the scary but effective vehicle. Sri Lankans have a wonderful habit of smiling and laughing at almost  every situation and we giggled together as we made our way back across the canal where I had seen the Pond Herons this morning.  Suddenly there in front of us was a Pied Kingfisher  and "holy of holy" it landed right next to the road and my camera! I took about 50 shots in the few minutes that we watched, Anthony and Mrs Anthony laughing and giggling away, seemingly having the ability to share in my excitement!  

It was almost dark and I had to balance the camera between my legs…….. there's always an excuse. But I am relatively pleased because I now  know that I am, for certain, going to get some great shots while I am here.

Back at Ravi's house I had a coffee and a finger  banana from Ravi's garden, I love fruit in the country that it's grown and particularly bananas hence my dislike of poor unripe imported  fruit back in the UK.  Ravi arranged a meal with his family and I chatted to his lovely girls as I waited.  Little Natasha sang me a song in Sinhala, the local language, about the Tortoise and the Hare which sounded suspiciously  like Incy wincy Spider to  me. Dinner was al-fresco in front of the shop on my lap with the girls using their fingers rather than cutlery. I had fried fish and rice with a few fresh green beans, pretty good and I have to confess that I am absolutely loving every minute of it.  Unpretentious, down to earth real people, not worried about a few flies and the odd bit of dirt…… and still those lovely smiles and laughter. I have gone almost native, the experience I have been craving and there are birds everywhere!  Am I in heaven?