The night under stars in Maduruoya National Park was incident free. The first task of the day following morning was to pay an early morning visit to the Ulhitiya reservoir to see the Sunrise. It was just few hundred meters away from the wildlife office. We came back to the main irrigation canal and took the gravel road that ran parallel to the canal.

After a good night sleep we woke up to witness a beautiful morning in the middle of Knuckles range. Plan for the day was to cross over to the A9 highway at Naula, riding through some remote roads winding through knuckles range. As usual the departure time was 6.00 a.m. We thanked ශාන්ත අය්යා for the great help and hospitality and wished them all a happy new year. Then we started our journey towards Puwakpitiya from Illukkumbura via the Sera Ella road.

The 7th day of the tour started early as usual. We paddled along the A9 towards Naula from Nalanda enjoying the beauty of the world around us still waking up.

When we woke up in the morning, rain had stopped completely. The sky was cloudy but it was not all gloomy. It is under these conditions that we set off for the 8th consecutive day on bikes. From Makulpotha-Thalwehera we turned right towards Hakwetuna Oya reservoir with the objective of cutting across the country side to reach Galtenwewa Junction.

Remaining distance to Kandhakuli from our unplanned night park yesterday was 80km. Even though 80km was a bit of stretch to cycle in a single day, we decided that there is no point in breaking the journey for another day. So we were determined to do the full stretch in a day.

We set out of Colombo at about 5.00amin the morning and traveled via Ratnapura, Balangoda A4 road and at the 151 Km post the road to Uggal Aluthnuwara is on the right side of the road marked by a Thorana still incomplete. Nine KMs from Balangoda towards Badulla. Passing the thorana travel about 450meters and turn right and then proceed about 150 meters and come to the site of the magnificent dewalaya.

The Monsoons seems to be coming to an end and most of the waterfalls were at full flow so the temptation was too much that I could handle so finally decided to give it a shot though I was not feeling very well. As usual within few minutes after the idea popped out I gave a call to Lahiru who simply loves waterfalls and he was in to it within no time. So as planned we met on the next morning at Avissawella and took off earlier than expected.

We started our journey from Nuwera eliya to Nanuoya station in the early morning. There was a train from Nanuoya to Ambewela station at 9.20am. It took 30-45 minutes to travel from Nanuoya to Ambewela.( 8Km) Elgine water fall can be usually seen when you are travelling in this railway route.

We all met at Avissawella at sharp 11.00 as discussed earlier. We took a bus to Deraniyagala and got in to the Uda Maliboda bus which left Deraniyagala at 12.30 p.m. After reaching the Udamaliboda tea factory we hired two Tri wheelers to the base of First fall. After spending some time there we visited the second fall after a tiring walk through a footpath. But the journey was rewarding. We had a safe bath in the base pool and had our lunch there.

We started the trip by 4.30am by 2 4X4 from Colombo. But due to heavy rain on last few days we got news as many roads were under water but we just went ahead with our plan decided not to have a route plan. We had everything for three but we carried drinking water and things need for a BBQ dinner.

We started around 5.30AM from Colombo. We were 15 in the team 4 girls and 11 boys. Had to pick up every one and when we left Colombo it was around 6.15AM. We took the Southern Express highway. We exit from Welipanna exit point and traveled along Matugama Pellawatte Road about 75 Km. to Neluwa. 20 Km from Neluwa to Lankagama the place is just opposite Bharmaha Waterfall.

I took the 5.30am bus from Nugegoda to Kandy and reached there by 9.30am (frustratingly slow going) and met Sanjeewa at the station. Then I went to see those 3 musketeers (actually 3 innocent and playful bunnies that I had mentioned in my previous report Nuwara Eliya & Welimada – New Dimensions). To my joy, they were playing with each other. I wanted to give them something to eat but Sanjeewa said that we could do it in the afternoon coz I was planning on returning on 3.00 pm training.