Snorkeling and photography adventure within one paradox after another
Consider these apparent oxymorons:
Civil war.
Military sanctuary.
Pygmy blue whale.
Although the Tamil people of Sri Lanka have resided on this island paradise for two millenia, they’ve kept their own language and traditions intact and distinct from the host Sinhalese population. By the 1970s, the Tamils wanted autonomy, and then separation, which led to one of the bloodiest conflicts of modern times, between two cultures we think of, generally, as pacifist: one Hindu, the other Buddhist. (Paradox #1.)
The Tamil rebels had their own navy (the Sea Tigers), so the Sri Lankan military kept a tight rein on all ocean traffic around the northeast (Tamil) areas of island, forbidding civilian fishing and shipping up to 10 miles offshore for the past 28 years. This resulted in an unintended military marine sanctuary, which has made the flourishing local whales really, really happy. (Paradox #2.)
Fortunately, the war is over and peace has come back to paradise. Also fortunate, and unlike most governments we know (Paradox #3), the Sri Lankan government wisely recognizes the value of eco-tourism, and has enshrined into law some of the best practices for preserving the health of Sri Lankan marine life. (Whenever asked, Amos shares what he’s learned from his four decades of no-impact eco-tour experience.)
Now Big Animals can take you there, as only Big Animals can, with the utmost respect for the well-being of the star of this wildlife photography expedition, the pygmy blue whale. (At 60 feet long, how anything could be considered ‘pygmy’ is Paradox #4.)
Snorkeling with only three other adventurers, to get as close as possible to these gentle (pygmy) giants, you’ll also encounter sperm whales, giant pods of dolphins, and the lovely sight of Sinhalese and Tamils peacefully co-existing again, even if they still like to speak their own languages. Then it’s back to the luxury 4-star resort hotel for the ultimate in adventurer coddling, you intrepid voyager, you. Because that’s roughing it, Big Animals-style. (No paradox there.)
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