For about two-thirds of our journey the road lies along the coast, stretching through swampy rice-fields and interminable cocoanut avenues until Ratnapoora is reached.

So far the scenery does not greatly differ from that of Colombo.

But it was after we left Ratnapoora that I first realised the true wonders of this land.

Our road rose almost continuously by narrow tracks, which in some places, owing to the late heavy rains, were almost impassable; but Peter and Paul worked hard, and so reduced the delay.

We had not left Ratnapoora far behind when we plunged into a tangled forest, so dense as almost to blot out the light of day.