Femi- I have been trying to plan this trip with Red Dot and I am having a few issues. It is possible to speak with you as I am local in Los Angeles as well. I do not now if there is a way to send a private email on Fodors so I can get your advice.

Femi,

I just found this. Funny about the elephants. They got you to Sri Lanka, but didn't really show up.

The head scratching at immigration would have had me sweating!

Looking forward to your trip. Oh no, one more place to seriously consider. But I'll avoaid Indian AERO conference, whatever that is.

I can just see and hear all those tent panel zippers zipping in search of the tent lizard. Better than a centipede up your pants, though.

I've had the request for the original credit card used to book my flight as well. Because the ticket had been purchased so long ago, they waived the rule, which was good because I no longer had the card. I watched a family being denied boarding once on a plane to Mala Mala because they did not have the original credit card.

I can imagine how frustrated you must have been with the guide's behavior toward the elephants, especially when your objections were ignored.

Thanks for the extensive bird list!

I'm up to Tea Trails and on to the photos.

Wonderful photos. You outdid yourself with the dragonflies. It was nice to be able to recognize so many of your birds from India. The grey heron on the buffalo is amazing timing. Such artistry with the tea pickers.

Thanks Lynn. I guess I'll have to go back for another chance at the elephants!

lh- you can send a note to Femi1, an msn account. Just be sure to put something about Sri Lanka in the title so I don't miss it.

As a follow up, I received a call from my credit card company a few weeks after I returned home. Someone in Bangalore had charged several items from many different shops (mostly fashion and jewelry) to my account. Thankfully I'd learned in the past to use cards on my trip that are different from my main cards at home. The card has since been cancelled and replaced and a report duly filed. The only place I used the card in Bangalore was at the hotel.

I've read that you should never let the card out of sight while abroad. They swiped it in front of me at check-in, but took it to the back room during check-out (I think).

I was just reading that hotels are now the #1 place for credit card fraud! But then I just had a fraud problem with a card after using it for the first time in many months on the Kodak photo site. You just never know.

Back to Sri Lanka for me.

A van plastered in upchuck? If I make it to Sri Lanka, I'm taking a whole pack of Bonines.

The monkey mother and baby story is fascinating! To think such dramas play out every moment of every day, whether anyone notices or not.

Your interest in ruins only if they have monkeys vindicates some of my feelings and makes me feel less odd.

Could you list your itinerary for us?

Itinerary...

10 Feb Pick up from the airport in Bangalore & transfer to hotel

11 Feb Visit Nirityagram. Late evening drop off at airport in Bangalore and arrive and transfer Kotugoda

12 Feb Morning drive to Yala, Evening safari in the park

13 Feb Yala (two game drives a day, AM & PM)

14 Feb Yala

15 Feb Yala

16 Feb After a morning safari leave for Dickoya (5.5 hours) en route stop at Udawalawe National Park for a safari

17 Feb Explore the tea estate. Went on the walk to Castlereagh

18 Feb Tea Estate (tea factory visit)

19 Feb Tea Estate

20 Feb Transfer to Habarana (6 hours) en route stop in Kandy and do some site seeing

21 Feb Morning climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Evening visit the Temple troop – the longest running primate research in the world.

22 Feb Day visit to Minneriya National park

23 Feb Walk in the hotel area. Spent most of the day observing the primates on the hotel grounds.

24 Feb Transfer to Kalpitiya (4 hours) en route visit Wilpathu National Park

25 Feb Drive to Airport, enroute visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Pick up from Bangalore airport and drop at hotel

26 Feb Visit to People For Animals, Bangalore

27 Feb Transfer to Airport. Home via CDG.