Nine Inch Nails - Hurt

WEDNESDAY CLUB

CAUGHT BY PIRATES

A VARAN

NINE INCH NAILS - Hurt

SRI LANKA 2

We had not been on holiday for a few years as we were doing our house up in the U.K.  We managed to secure a cheap flight on Sri Lanka Airlines and we booked a room in Bentota Beach where we had stayed previously.

We arrive very early and got to the hotel and it was too soon to get into our room. We decided to take a walk on the beach. A guy came up to us and said he worked for the hotel and was the  'Mahout.'  who looked after Monique the elephant. We met Monique on a previous trip and Shellhunter became friends with her. The guy said he would take us to meet her and we were of course delighted.

We walked quite a long way and were soon away from civilization with no people around. I said this is too far and we would like to go back. The guy said it was just round the next bend. Sure enough there was Monique. She was tied to a tree next to the river and the mangroves. It was great to see her and I am sure she recognisesd us. After all they never forget, do they? There was a boat there with 3 men in the boat. Our guide said he will take us to place in the mangroves where there is a large Varan  (Large Monitor Lizard).  They were all smiling and we got into the boat.

After a few minutes I started to feel a bit uneasy. What on earth were we thinking?. The 4 men suddenly looked a bit menacing and I noticed that their eyes were blood shot, a sure sign they were high on  'Toddy'  the local strong drink.

I could see Old Ma was also beginning to feel uneasy. I said to her I am going to tell them to turn and go back. If there is any problem and things turn nasty, I will take the three men and you will have to deal with the original guy. If it comes to it we will try and jump over board and swim for shore.

I said we want to go back and they were not happy. I asked again in my strongest voice without trying to provoke. They reluctantly turned the boat and headed back. We got out very quickly and they demanded money for the trip. I had only the equivalent of about £5 pounds so I handed it to them and we quickly almost ran our way back to the Hotel. It was a terrifying experience.

We were  'supposedly experienced'  travelers. How could we have been so stupid. Another lesson learned.