Caretta80

Quito Our first steps in South America were in Quito, and not knowing exactly what standard to meet, we were positively suprised, civilised taxi drivers, no garbage in the town, and no beggars. I guess me and M both had something similar to Africa in mind. We went to our hotel and then had breakfast, upon which we had to take a nap, because of the six hour time difference. The afternoon was spent looking at the old town. Due to the lack of safety precautions at the basilisk church it impressed us the most. For dinner we tried some equadorian specialities - guinea pig and cow tripe. The guinea pig was served in an aestetic half guinea pig plate, exposing claws, jaws etc... it was better than expected, somewhat like a chicken but more fatty. ... read more

olala..... read more

Elusive tigers At Sunderbans, one of the biggest mangrove habitats of the world, the tigers are so called elusive. And indeed they were. But even without so much of a glance at the striped cat, the environment was still fantastically amazing. There were crocodiles, dolphins, deers and birds in plenty. Although me and my friend Jeremy came here with the hopes of seeing a tiger, we were not dissapointed. But the closest we came to the tiger, was spotting the footprints of a tiger having crossed the water going from one island to another. When we later found out that only 400-500 of the 33 000 vistors this season had seen the elusive tiger, we calmed our hopes, and just enjoyed whatever crossed our path. Sunset or sunrise? It does not matter - they are all ... read more

One moonlit night... This actually happened, and I am glad it did. Without it I would have not understood the severity of the problem with poaching in Sri Lanka. Markus and me were taking a night stroll on Kosgoda's moonlit beach. Actually this was just after a fruitless visit to TCP's beach patrol in Kosgoda. As we were walking we imagine what we would do if we saw an actual turtle coming to nest on an unprotected beach. The imagination was not fully developed, as we were interupted by fate playing a trick on us. Anyhow, we walked along the beach toward our hotel, and we saw turtle tracks. One way, and then in the bush we heard the sand being thrown about. A green turtle had made her way up to the vegetation at the ... read more

Saree Most women in Sri Lanka wear it, at least when they are going to town. After making sure I was not offending anyone of any cultural rules, I decided I was gonna meet my sweetheart in one. Which i did. I had to get up extra early to get help to get myself pinned in properly. But Markus smiling face was reward enough. When temperature was increasing towards nine, ten however, I decided to end my saree experience, as it gets really hot! Wearing one now impresses me even more, because I know what the women have to put up with, sitting not to wrinkle, moving not to step on the saree and fall, and avoiding fainting from heat exhaustion! We continued to Dehivala zoo, the only zoo in Sri Lanka, which is pretty good ... read more

Life in Sri Lanka I prefer dusk and dawn, just like most animals. December and january are cool months, everyone says, and many people around me have gotten a cold. That said, April is gonna feel like the sun has dropped on my head! No, off course it is not that bad - but I certainly think it is good that I have come in this season, so I have plenty of time to adjust to the hotter months. When I arrived, appetite was a problem, rice and curry every meal, and hot like it's the fuel for dragon fire. With a bit of missunderstandings and a bit of time, when I told them I wanted some porridge they bought some pasta. Things have now turned to the better, maybe too good - beacuse now I ... read more

Background Shorthand info as to why I want to do this volunteer work at TCP, Sri Lanka, is that when I first heard about the project from a herpetologist (reptile and amphibian expert) working at Chester Zoo I knew that I wanted to be part of such a project at one point in my life. The herpetologist told me this was the best place to go, as this organization works as a model NGO, that many other NGO’s wish to duplicate. The TCP has government contacts/support, conservation research, tourist info, local info, community based alternative sources of income for those who previous gained money from poaching eggs and turtles. The previous poachers are now nest protectors getting a monthly salary. (According to the law, both nest poaching and eating of adults is illegal and fined with ... read more