Does a Giant Squirrel Count as Having Seen Wildlife?

Morning Bamboo Ride, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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I was up at 5:45am after a pretty cold night.  I had decided not to do a full day trek but to go on a three hour trek instead that was offered at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which started at 7am.

I found a rickshaw driver and took the 4 or so km (approx 2.5 miles) ride to the boat jetty after paying the 300 Rs (approx $7.69)  entrance fee.   I saw a lot of people lined up for the boat tour that was offered, but decided to stick to my original plan which was to save the boat trip for the last trip of the day as I had read that there were better chances of seeing wildlife on the first and last trips.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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I was kind of concerned at first that no one was else was going on the trek but finally people started to join up.  I managed to get in a group with four other people (one French woman and three Italians) which meant sharing the cost of the 500 Rs (approx $12.82) for the guide.  Once we finally had a guide assigned to us, we put on some leggings with feet which was good (despite looking rather silly) because it prevented possible leech attacks (didn't want that to happen again!) and kept my pants a heck of a lot cleaner.

Looking Stunnin with my Leggings! Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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We walked down to the river which we had to cross on a bamboo raft that was slightly submerged in the water.  The raft was powered by a pulling a rope tied at either end.  Once across the river we set off on the trek.  Our guide was not very talkative and when he did talk, it was usually just to the person next to him.  We walked and walked and had a pleasant walk, but didn't really see much at all.  The guide did stop occasionally to gaze up at the trees, but never found anything worthwhile, unless you call seeing a giant squirrel that was very high up in a tree seeing wildlife!

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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After about three hours we crossed back on the bamboo raft.  Since it was now about 10am or so and the last boat didn't leave until 4pm which meant being back around 3:30pm to buy tickets I took a rickshaw back into town with the French woman from the trek.

I had a late breakfast at the Coffee Inn which killed quite a bit of time since the service is amazingly slow.  I then chilled out for the next couple of hours before heading back to the park to take the last boat ride in the hopes of seeing more than I had in the morning.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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There were two boats to choose from although there were quite a few more that I believe were for tourist groups.  Supposedly the boat I chose would be able to get up closer to any spotted wildlife as the other boat was a double decker deal.  It was a mad crush getting onto the boat with many kids pushing their way through.  I managed to get a seat though my a window which was good.  On the tour, we did see some deer, a monkey or two and some birds but the most exciting were the elephants.  Unfortunately they were very far in the distance and for some reason, the boat wouldn't get close at all.  Bummer.

Baynon Tree, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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After about an hour and really not seeing much at all, I was definitely getting sleepy from an early start that day.  I was definitely ready for the trip to end, but still had another hour.  Finally back at the jetty, amongst the masses of people I managed to get a rickshaw very quickly.  He took off at break neck speed, overtaking anybody in his way.  I really think he was trying to get me into town as quickly as possible so that he could head back for another fare.  We went speeding along and over speed breakers (as we call them in the US, speed bumps or in England, sleeping policeman, but I have a new name, bum bumpers!) and into potholes that sent me flying around the back.  However I got into town in record time!

Elephants in the Very Far Distance, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, India
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The driver dropped me back off at Chrissie's Cafe again for an early dinner, starved from missing lunch that day.  I ended up finishing my dinner just as the lights went out for the blackout.  Chrissie's Cafe did have a generator, but I headed back along the dark roads using my small flashlight.  It ended up being an early night, tired from the early start.