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Exploring the East based in Ganthalawa, a village past Kanthale |
Outward bound:6.05 am train from Colombo Fort. A long long train which seemed to be going everywhere – Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa, Batticaloa, Trincomalee…so make sure you sit in the correct carriage or your destination may change! Real great fun was watching the train ‘change tracks’ at the Polgahawela, Mahawa, etc. After the Anuradhapura carriages were detached, we suddenly found ourselves at the end of the train rather than the middle
Visit to the Mini world’s end at Passara – Cokagala (Cocogalla) |
The by-road started from the junction at Lunugala Police station, turned in to a hilly & narrow one within the first kilometer in distance. Condition of the road was acceptable because it had been repaired recently. Having climbing the hill, we came to a place known as Janathapura, a small village on a gap of two ranges of mountains. Janathapura was a three way junction. There were two roads at the western face of the range. (We came from the Eastern face).
The Beauty of Sinharaja Waterfalls |
This was a trip we went to see the waterfalls near Sinharaja border. The crew is consisting of different age groups. We leave Colombo in morning and reach Neluwa in afternoon. First we went to see the “Kosmulla Dhuwili Ella”. For this you have to take left turn at bridge over Gin River about a kilometer before Neluwa town. This waterfall has three levels and there are steps leading to top of the waterfall. So we climbed to the top.
Hidden beauty on top of Diyaluma, Pilkington & Millennium Point’s of Poonagala hills |
This is actually a trip we went after reading Priyanjan’s post. We left Colombo on an evening to get to Bandarawela by night but unfortunately the bus broke down at Diyathalawa so we had a 4Km practice hike in the dark 
We spent the night at Bandarawela rest house. Next day morning we left early and got in to a Poonagala bus which left Bandarawela at 7a.m, the route was through the tea estates and the view was also great
Exploring travel locations at Bulathsinghala (Pahiyanlena Cave & Makeli Ella fall) |
On that morning, it was 6.30am when we left from Veyangoda. Saman, Buddhika & myself were the initiate participants. We had to pickup Thusitha from Kaduwela & Mangala from Horana. How ever it was 10.00am when we reached Bulathsinghala, one of a remote town in Kalutara district. Since it was the last town we meet before our destination, we were busy to buy food & beverage for the day. From Bulathsinghala, we turned to the Paragoda road. Since it was in a country side, the environment was much beautiful, clean & quite.
Bathalegala (Bible’s Rock) 798m |
Batalegala Kanda, situated in Kandy, and visible as you reach Kadugannawa Pass is shrouded in thick jungle from time immemorial. If you love Sceneries and want a one day hike Bible’s rock is a good place to be, we did climb this special rock few months back. It took us only 12hours to climb it and return back to Colombo.
Hiking Lakegala – Knuckles Mountains |
We met an elderly person and asked about climbing the Lakegala mountain. He said that season is not good for climbing Lakegala because of the strong wind. But we were not in a mood to give up the idea of climbing Lakegala. That night we camped in the jungle near Memure village. And it was a terrible night, because of heavy wind our tents were going to crash. We had to hold the tent most of the time.
Heritage of Uva – Wellassa (වෙල’ලස’සෙ’ දායාදය) |
We had breakfast and traveled back on the Thanamalwila road until we arrived at Buduruwagala junction (5Km from Wellawaya) from here it was 4Km towards Buduruwagala. We had to walk all the way because there weren’t any three-wheelers, but we never regretted. The walk was wonderful because we were able to enjoy the breath taking view of Buduruwagala Lake at sun rise. After about 1Km from the lake we reached Buduruwagala which was a very peaceful place in the dense forest.
One day trip by train to explore Galboda waterfall |
Galboda waterfall is situated within one hour walking distance from the railway station. It is 30 meters in height, beautiful, virgin & ever young due to the high rainfall received to the catchments area through out the year.( the closest town is Watawala, where received the highest annual rainfall out of the country ). Therefore, not like other waterfalls, travelers are advised to visit Galboda waterfall in August, the dry season. Because the natural water pool is suit & safe for bath in dry seasons
Trip Across The Hill Country |
We leave early in the morning from Colombo by car at around 6AM. Our destination for the first day was Haldummulla. On the way we went to Kiridi Ella at Palmadulla. But the waterfall is totally dry because of lack of rain.
Also on the way we saw the Surathalee ella at Halpe. There was some water in it. Because of this we have given up going to Bambarakanda falls.
