Team 2 experience of the BBC-famous singing fish of Batticaloa:

Team 2a have just returned from an exhilarating (maybe slightly humiliating if the ‘official photos’ ever get out) trip into the middle of the river to listen to the world-renowned singing fish of Batticaloa. With great anticipation we waited for the ‘singing fish’ to begin their chorus. Having brought the boat to a standstill, fallen into a hush of silence (anticipation building by the second), the boat guide said he would now call on the fish to begin their song. He then proceeded to position the awe down into the deep dark water. Then as we waited, he slowly placed his ear onto the top of the awe and began to listen. He then pronounced – ‘yes, they are singing’ and handed out 6 awes instructing us to hang out of the boat and listen to our awes too.

At this point, Sandra looked at me and said ‘have you ever been had?’ and we considered that the guides might just be having a right good laugh at us. Finally, Amy began hearing things, so we all decided, as she was the fish whisperer that we should listen with her awe. At that point, we all decided we could make out faint sounds of Paul McCartney’s ‘The Frog Chorus’ (http://bit.ly/1nzeLEg). This was certainly not singing as we expected.

Finally, it was on our return to the dock that the guide showed us pictures of the 6 crocodiles in residence in this small lagoon. A very entertaining night….especially as we left team 2b in suspense of the upcoming experience of the ‘singing fish’. Turns out, Dilanee from Team 2b literally “dived” into the experience, nearly taking the fisherman and half the team with her.