In the morning we got into a Hatton bus at around 9AM and reached Ginigathhena around 11:30AM. From there we haired a van to Koththellana. We had our lunch and started to climb from Koththellana area. First you have to go through tea plantation and then pine trees. After that there’s no clear path, you have to go by making a path trough the bushes. And that is the difficult part since the way is very steep. Some times you need ropes to climb. But on the way we saw some elephant dung.
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One week Deep South: Yala and around
Its quite amazing how places we go so often can still turn up enjoyable surprises, and its also very nice to be able to visit areas which we did in our childhood but then were not so accessible till recently. The sea in the Yala area is not so safe, but the beach is really worth exploring. And if you know your zoology? Biology? It’s a tremendous advantage!
Road Trip to Mahiyanganaya, Wasgamuwa and Dambana
Drove from Colombo to Kandy, took the scenic route along Raja Mawatha, past Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs and along the Minipe canal to Mahiyanganaya. It was almost dark when leaving Mahiyanganaya after visiting the temple. From there to Rathkinda, we took a long route for the fear that the causeway at Ulhitiya might be flooded.
Siyane Korale Heritage – Maligathenna, Pilikuththuwa, Varana, Koskandawala, Petta-gam Gala Historic Cave Temples
There were few places that I have visited previously that I thought of visiting again. It was a bit of a different journey for me(out of the routine) compared to my previous once! I really wanted to see the sun rise at Maligatenna but I got a bit late, nevertheless I reached there at around 7am and climbed up until I came to the Meda Maluwa & set my self off to the top of Maligatenna. The scenery was awesome as always. As I know this is the highest place in Gampaha District and one can enjoy the breath taking view of Siyane Korale from top of it!
Evening at Rampart (Fortress) and the Harbor – Galle
Last week end, my self and Chamara (member) spent an evening at the rampart, Galle. We thought it is better to add some pictures from this historical fortress, a world heritage.
While at the top of the fort we saw a ship coming in to the Galle harbor. So the next day we manage to have a visit to the harbor. There we could experience how a ship brought in to the jetty.
Across the Hill Country
Started from Gampaha @ 4.30am in order to reach bandarawela before dusk knowing we had a long day before us. Was past kandy by 6.30am and padiyapelella by about 9am(road conditions were really bad). After getting directions from plenty of people, 1 person mentioned the above route (special remarks) which we decided to take. From padiyapelella took a road that led us to mathurata plantation tea estates to get to kurundu oya falls
Wildlife safari to Udawalawe and Yala national parks
The best time to visit these parks is during the drought season during July to September but usually yala is closed for visitors during the month of September so I thought of doing this trip on late August but then again when I checked with my contacts @ yala I came to know that this time the park will remain open so shifted my plans to September where the affects of the drought is much more severe so our chances of sighting leopards is @ high.
A splendid weekend at Waterfalls Cottage Dunsinane (Pundalu Oya)
This was a relaxing outing for us , the cottage is located bordering Kikilmana forest(dense forest). I really liked the place because while others were resting I had the chance to hike around the forest of Kikilimana.
We started from Gampaha and went trough Peradeniya Nuwaraeliya road, and I would like to state that we came across few waterfalls on our way. First was Helboda Falls by the side of the road and all other waterfalls were between 41Km post and 47Km post I guess. Those were Gerandi Ella, Ramboda eli, Punai Falls and few nameless once.
Tour to Batticaloa – The Land of Singing Fish
It was my third visit to Batticaloa & first visit after ending the endless war of this country. Its not a leisure tour for me but by chance, most of the time I get to participate in official trips to all around the country.
It was 12th February 2010, we left Kurunegala around 10.30 in the morning. The vehicle was a van & there were 8 members in our team. Our first stop was at Polonnaruwa for lunch & Polonnaruwa Rest House was selected for taking our lunch.
Scenic Hike to Wangedigala
Let me start by explaining about “Wangedigala”, Im sure all of you must be wondering where the hell this is. This is a mountain range situated close to Kalupahana and facing the Badulla A4 road. it came in sight of my attention for the first time when I visited Bambarakanda falls, since then I wanted to climb it because it was a mountain range that you can walk along and enjoy the view. But actually we wanted to go further than Wangedigala. Balathoduwa and Gommolli(13th highest) was our target.