Yala Safari
Hello fellow bloggers all over the globe!
First of all, thanks from Dad for all your kind comments and appreciation of his efforts. Secondly, apologies to Marcos for not analysing your writing tonight. I promise in my next post I will. I read with interest your piece called Fortress.
Thirdly, apologies to all those I do not manage to have dialogue with today. I will try to respond to a few of you each post. Before I do that however, I’ll take you on a virtual tour of Yala National Park. I hope you like the pics. There were so many of them it was hard for me to make the selection but I have tried to give you as varied a tour as possible with some of the better, sharper pictures.
So, here goes: we set off in a jeep organised by the hotel at 5.45 in the morning. Our hotel was just a few minutes from the main entrance to Yala so we were inside the park in no time at all. We took with us a packed breakfast and two cameras. The best of the shots you will see in a minute were taken with our Nikon SLR with a Sigma zoom lens.
I’ll start with one of the more common sightings – the Green Bee Eater. They were ubiquitous in Yala but very attractive I thought and this one just wouldn’t stop posing for me. He was an absolute gift!
Next up is the Sloth bear - sloth by name, sloth by nature apparently. This is a cub but there were three of them who played near us for about 5 minutes before scattering into the bush. This was one of the rarer sightings according to our tracker. 
Now here’s one that’s not for the faint hearted among you - a crocodile with a turtle for its breakfast. Can you see the eggs that have been expelled from its stomach by the crocodile’s jaws?! I kept waiting for it to alter its position but it stayed absolutely still and would have done I think for an hour or so more. Busy digesting? :)
This is one I am proud of as I took it and it was a difficult shot to get. It’s an eagle. Which type, I am not sure but it is a fish-eating one. They are such dignified birds don’t you think?
After that we stopped for breakfast at a beach by which a memorial to the Tsunami victims killed in the park on that fateful day had been placed.
By this time I, although I was happy with what we had seen I was still anxious to see my favourite – the elephant. That most majestic of beasts, yet somehow melancholic. We set off back in the direction we had come and took a couple of in-roads off the main track to see if we couldn’t come across one or two at one of the many drinking holes but nothing until…..
Back on the main road probably only a few kilometres into the park, there he came from the bush onto the track and walked right into my viewfinder. What a treat! 
And in this one you can see that it is mating season as he has the musk glands weeping on his face. This is to attract the female of the species. Have I begun to sound a little like David Attenborough?:) My Dad kept saying that I did because I insisted on whispering in reverence the whole time!
And here he goes back off into the jungle…. With a trump, trump, trump. ;) After this, everything else paled. I was so happy to have had such close contact with this majestic male. 
On the way out, we saw yet another painted crane but the light was right so I took a few shots and here’s one of the better ones. 
Well, as you can see, although it was a bumpy ride it was well worth the 4-hour trip and Isabel was amazingly well behaved through it all. Here she is on one of the most pristine, beautiful beaches I have been on – it is in the resort we stayed in. 
Right, now for a few replies…..
Alessandro - I have been pondering what you said about bilingualism and I do think that one of the main reasons for Isabel not speaking in Hindi yet is due to the fact that Pankaj and I don't generally speak Hindi to each other at home. The fact that he speaks to her in Hindi is not enough. I think she needs to hear it being spoken aound her, which of course if we were in India she would do much more frequently. Do write more on the subject. It's very interesting and if anyone else has any light to shed on this matter, please do write in.
Paulraj -
Yes, I do think you are a risk taker as far as language learning is concerned but if you don't feel you push yourself enough, do try to use new words you are less familiar with the use of and see what happens. I do think that even at the basic level, students can take risks with the language they are learning. I will try to give you feedback whenever I can and don't lose heart that you were not chosen as the student blogger for this month. I am sure it will be an option for you in months to come. Make sure you get some feedback from the LE team.
Christine - no I don't know "Dinner for one" - is it a film? tell me about it. I like the title.
Toni - I agree, 'seeing and doing' is a good way to learn and I always have to write things down in order to remember them. I always say I can't think if I don't have a pen in my hand! :)
Rabail - absolutely no need to apologise. This blog is aimed at language learners from an intermediate to advanced level and yes, it is perfectly OK for you to comment on the teacher's blog as well as the student's. So, keep blogging if you like and I hope you pick up some more tips for your writing skills.
James - here's a correction for you: Your sentence from a comment on my Jan 5th blog :no matter it is long or short....' should read "no matter if/whether it is long or short...'.I do understand your frustration but please understand that it is not possible for me to correct every blogger's sentences.
Well, as they say, that's all folks. One more thing before I go. Thank you very much to all who told me of their trips and journeys. I will comment on those and the answers to recent challenges in my next post.
Good night and sweet dreams.
Helen x
Comments
Hello Helen, I read your blog with big pleasure. The pictures are amazing especially I like elephant. And I will be repeat again, again and again - your daughter is beautiful. Greetings for your Dad. It was very kind that he wanted to write for us. Good night and sweet dreams for you too. :)
Hi Helen! The pictures are all amazing. It must have been quite thrilling to see a elephant in the flesh. Good night, Ana Paula.
Hi Helen! The pictures are all amazing. It must have been quite thrilling to see a elephant in the flesh. Good night, Ana Paula.
Hi Helen Thank you very much for sharing your photos.I am excited just even looking at them.I think you,all had a unforgettable memory.I am not sure If Isabel will remember such a this wonderful trip.By the way I have sent the comment for Roy. It doesn't appear. Hello Roy, Thank very much for your writing. I hope you have wonderful time during your stay in Sri Lanka.Bye for now.
Hi Helen! Just a comment: My friend has told me that you probably is jewish because of your last name and I'd like to tell him whether he is right or not. Don't worry it's not a religious question but an curiosity about last names. lol. Well, I really find this issue about many languages spoken at the same time in a unique environment because it's really tough to understand how people live their lives like this. I am telling you this because I have a friend who lives in Italy and off course he speaks portuguese while his wife speaks italian normally but I've never seen them talking to each other in italian, sometimes in english booth or only him speaks in italian but she ever speaks in portuguese. She is really good in portuguese language. So I ever imagine when they decide to have a child how that situation could be inside their home. Interesting thought, isn't it. Here in Brazil we are ever speaking portuguese and almost no-one has another second language. What pity! Your texts and pictures are ever nice and you answers have the same interesting words and explanations. We're lucky for have got a nice teacher blogging! Have a nice weekend. When you read the exte about Fortress you certanly going to like that because there are many curiosities that neither I have know about. All respects and regards from Brazil!
Hi Helen, The story of the safari was very exciting. Thank you for sharing the pictures with us. Your daughter is lovely.
Hello, Helen!I liked the idea of virtual safari trip. I felt like i really was in the jeep with your family, packed breakfast and cameras. The pictures are amazing,they are so real, they demonstrate the nature truly,and you were in a such close contact with all that animals. I am envying you (in a good meaning of this word), because i have never seen such a beautiful places. Thanks for showing them to us, and thanks for your blogging. I really enjoyed reading it!!!=)
Hello, Helen!I liked the idea of virtual safari trip. I felt like i really was in the jeep with your family, packed breakfast and cameras. The pictures are amazing,they are so real, they demonstrate the nature truly,and you were in a such close contact with all that animals. I am envying you (in a good meaning of this word), because i have never seen such a beautiful places. Thanks for showing them to us, and thanks for your blogging. I really enjoyed reading it!!!=)
Hello, Helen!I liked the idea of virtual safari trip. I felt like i really was in the jeep with your family, packed breakfast and cameras. The pictures are amazing,they are so real, they demonstrate the nature truly,and you were in a such close contact with all that animals. I am envying you (in a good meaning of this word), because i have never seen such a beautiful places. Thanks for showing them to us, and thanks for your blogging. I really enjoyed reading it!!!=)
Hello,Helen! I liked the idea of virtual safari trip. I felt like i really was in the jeep with your family, packed breakfast and cameras. The pictures are amazing, they are so real, they demonstrate the nature tryly, and you were in a such close contact with all these animals. I am envying you (in a good meaning of this word), because i have never seen such a beautiful places. Thanks for showing them to us. I really enjoyed reading your blog!!!=)))
Hi Helen, You must be a brilliant Photographer. Some of the pictures are very sharp and accurate. We can see the enjoyment of Isabel. I just compare the Photos of Isabel with your dad and Pankaj on 7th and 9th on the beaches. She must be thrilled to see the animal creatures. Even some times young and old people have become child when they see the rare animals in their jungles. Usually we should not shout when we enter into a wild life sanctuaries. With the excitement the visitors started shouting sometimes that disturb the animals. They will be frightened and hide themselves. Did you shout with over excitement? Or without disturbing them have you watched and enjoyed the trip.
Hello Helen, what wonderful shots! I really liked the result of your camera and above all you are a good photographer. I'm very curious to know when you referred to elephant as melancholic. Is it because of the sad expression it has on his face? I would like to say about Isabel that she is very cute and has very innocent face. Best wishes, Naheed
Hi Helen,Firstly,thanks for your reply and correction. Secondary, I am curious by what ground did you know recognize the Green Bee Eater is male(this one just wouldn’t stop posing for me. He was an absolute gift!).Incidentally, your dad must be very close with and proud of you that he would like to spend time on your work saying something to us, thanks him again.Best wihes,James.
Hi Helen. It´s very kind of you sharing your amazing pictures with us. They are really sharp and accurate. The painted crane´s one is stunning. It deserves a photo frame. Your girl is prettier each photo. ;-) You must be proud. I agree with you, it´s hard to sort and select photos taken with digital cameras, because we take too much. In my vacations, I used to take 200 or more.
..Hi..is it possible to improve ,y spoken English using Skype? I can't afford expensives englsh lessons...
Hi Helen. I'm Adriana, one of the student bloggers. I've moved away recently and so I had no internet connection til now. From now on, I'll make efforts to follow one of my new year resolutions that is to keep on studying more the English language. For this reason,I have never had the opportunity to write down a comment for you but I've seen some of your blogs and I like them all. Especially this one...the pics are incrediblly magnificent because you could capt the animals in situations intirely unpredictable. You are lucky. I hope to read more of your blogs soon. Regards and good luck to the elephant on attracting females of the species. He himself is atractive. :-) Adriana
Thnks Helen.
Hi Helen, wonderful journey (I suppouse here journey suits better than trip, isn't it?). The elephant experience the most. Breathtaking, without words, so much serenity in front of you. Is like a lesson of humbleness, a return to our roots. Isabel in her line, cute and spontaneous. But, where is Roy? Heyyyy Roy, we miss your words. You are a bad boy :-) starts like a thunder and lives us without any other star contribution. Pleaaaase, we don't deserve this fine. See you, Toni
Hello Helen, thank you for these wonderful impressions of Yala, I have to admit, I envy you. What a wonderful experience to see this great elephant in this low distance. Didn't you feel a little bit frightened? And Isabel seemed to be so happy, she is very cute.Now to your queation: "Dinner for One" is really a film, a very short one, I think 20 or 25 minutes. It's a special new-years-eve film. It's about an old Lady, it is her 90 ths birthday, and about her servant, James. She sits at a big table and her guests are all in her imagination at the table too( in reality they aren't still alive). James has to serve the meal and before every course, he has to replace every " guest" and drink with the old Lady, so , after a short time, he is very drunken. I think, you have to see it. You surely can find it on "You tube" It is very funny, especially the end, but I won't give away more.Best wishes for you and your family and thanks your dad, for his comment.
Hi Helen, it was very nice reading about the safari. The pictures were great. Especially the elephant. No wonder it's your favorite animal. And Isabel, she's lovely in that shot. I can understand why she behaved well during the whole jorney. I guess she was astonished with all the animals. Thank you for sharing these nice moments of your life with us. See you more soon.
Thank you,Helen,for the wonderful and pictureque excursion you,ve made for us,I wish I was there!It's frosty here and snowy and yesterday in my gardenbull I was lucky to see a couple of absolutely stunning birds we can watch in Russia in winter - bullfinches!The moment I noticed them I realized that it would have been impossible to rush home and grab a camera,they were too close,just two metres away,so I was just standing and stearing at them,trying to remember that view forever - two red-brested birds in the silver tree...Congratulations on your lucky shots!I can understand your excitment.
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