After trading point breaks at A-Bay, we headed deep into Sri Lanka’s southeastern wilds—Gal Oya National Park, where the real locals weigh five tonnes and don’t need priority on a wave.
From the safety of a boat, we watched elephants mow down grasslands like living bulldozers. Wild, revered, and totally free-roaming, these gentle giants are more than just wildlife here—they’re sacred. Woven into Sri Lanka’s soul, they show up in temples, parades, and ancient lore.
Out in the countryside, farmers light firecrackers to scare elephants off their crops, and you’ll spot electric fences (or clever fake ones) rigged along the roads—some just string at head height, so mind your evening strolls.
But the real eye-opener? Spending time with a Vedda man—one of the last of Sri Lanka’s pure-blooded indigenous people. He took us through his jungle backyard, pointing out which plants cure illness, which ones to avoid, and how his people used to trap animals for food. No Google. No gear. Just deep ancestral knowledge passed down over thousands of years.
Meanwhile, back in Bondi… it’s grey, overcast, and barely breaking. A sleepy 1–2 foot.
:: uge
P.S. This whole surf-to-safari mash-up has been stitched together by the legends at The Perfect Wave Travel Company—a diverse itinerary that’d be tricky to pull off solo. 👉 More info here
