Day 16 - Welcome to the jungle...

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Left early on a mini bus and heded for Masinagdi to the Jungle Retreat ( http://www.jungleretreat.com/ ) for some much needed chill out time. The latter part of the drive was the bumpiest ever but the location was well worth it - just stunning! We received a warm welcome from Sarita who gave us a brief briefing and let us get on with relaxing. After checking out the dorm the group are sharing, Sarah, Natalie and myself quickly got changed and went for a late morning/early afternoon swim in the amazing watering hole like pool sunk into the rocks at the foot of the Nilgiri mountains. Just what I needed.

Having swum up a nice appetite we enjoyed a tasty lunch of mixed cuisine including spag bol and a lovely spinach bake. We then sat in the beautiful grounds for a bit before going off in a jeep. We had a great time spotting animals watching an elephant being bathed and then seeing the elephants being fed. Saw a baby elephant that had been rescued after it's her rejected it although it was too playful and boisterous so had to be tethered while the public were around. We went through the small museum that the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has, containing lots of information about local wildlife including sad ways in which humans have, and continue to, hurt the wildlife including elephant and tiger poaching.

We had a delicious fusion dinner before heading back to the dorm. Sarah Natalie and myself all headed back to the reception bar/dinner area for an hour where Sarah and myself enjoyed a Mojito which seemed to take a while to make. Chatted to a couple of guys that are staying and they asked if we wanted to join them for a night safari but decided to go to bed - had to try and be quiet in the shared accommodation.

General thoughts for today

• wonderful place in amazing setting - still working on it and will be even greater when complete
  
• loving the south of India
  

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Photos

Jaki with local kids
We stopped for a toilet/snack and drink break along the way and these kids were playing football in the field

Sarah with local kids
We stopped for a toilet/snack and drink break along the way and these kids were playing football in the field

Watering Hole Pool
Jungle Retreat

Mother and calf
Wild elephants

Bath Time
Mahout giving his elephant a good scrub and the elephant loving it.

Cute boys
Some local boys that were watching too

Turn over
Mahout asks the elephant to turn over.

Who's who
A chart with elephants names ages and what they are to be fed etc.

Feeding time
Mahout feeds his elephant

Happy family
A lovely family that were on holiday here too