Kegalle Tourist Traps

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Now, don't get me wrong, I do give, I am not a rich westerner who visits third world countries and does not contribute in some way - I do, but at Pinnewala I felt like they were taking advantage of the fact that I am a tourist and this time I wasn't standing for it.

I already felt like the orphanage was a bit of a circus for tourists anyway, but hey we were here, we had paid our entrance fee and we wanted to see the elephants. So, when I walked over and stood next to one of the elephants and had my photo taken I did not expect to be poked by the man who was holding the elephant and then be shouted at for money.

Later on, in the horrid arena like area I was asked by one of the guys to come over and feed the baby - of course I obliged, I mean how many other times in my life will I get to feed a baby elephant. But I should have known better, of course he then started demanding money from me too.

In my eyes, if you volunteer you are in it to help the people/animals - not yourself and so I totally refused to give them any money. This just enhanced in my mind that this place exists as a tourist circus and not a "true" elephant orphanage anymore which is a crying shame.