After Lakdasun 2nd gathering I got to know some wonderful people and was able to go on some trips with them. So my first trip after that was with Mithila, Ashan, Sheham, NG, Kasun , Theshantha etc. Interestingly that was my favorite place on earth “ Sri Pada”. Then I recently went on with two other wonderful members of LAKDASUN, SANKETHA and ATULA. Interestingly that was my second favorite place on earth , “Knuckles the Misty Mountains “

Yakdessagala first came across my senses in 2011 while I was on top of Yapahuwa and again last year when I visited Wellagala rock. The temptation of conquering this rock surged after seen Dinesh Dekkers video which prompted me to do so ASAP! I must thank Anupama who guided me in every way he can to make our journey a success!

Once upon a time, I came across this very unusual name “Kanneliya Forest Reserve” and since then, I couldn’t stop myself being told over and over again, “must go see, must go see”… Well, that mantra has reaped its benefits coz I managed to visit this beautiful lady on 24 & 25 March.

This beautiful waterfall flows as a cascade from Handapanella Thanna (හදපාන් ඇල්ල තැන්න). Although books say it’s height is 23m, it is wrong as it is a collection of few waterfalls. Handapan Ella can be captured in Rakwana-Kalawana road (another route full of scenic views) in between 3rd and 4th mile post

It was end of the monsoons and everywhere seemed to be flooded. I did have few free days in hand but couldn’t think of a better thing to do other than a rail hike. Since I dint get a chance to do a long distance hike after last year’s 90km “Pada Yathra” I thought of walking 70km along the railway backwards from Badulla. Usually many hikers do not do the Badulla – Haputale stretch because nothing much to see but you won’t believe, there are plenty to see around.

Few months ago myself and Mithila got together and thought of doing the last two remaining trails of Sripada which were Dehena kanda/Hapugastenna trail and Morray/Rajamale estate foot path. We intentionally postponed this journey to march hoping that the path would be cleared off by then. This was a long awaited dream for me and this year it came true. This time our group was a huge one comprising 7 Lakdasun members and others been Theshantha’s family members. I knew this was going to be a unique experience that i will never ever forget and indeed it was.

We were trying to explore Doowili falls since few years. Our previous attempts from Walpolamulla(due to poor preparation and injury), Babarella (misleading Guide called Mr. Ranjith) failed due to various reasons. But we agreed among ourselves to try for one last time.
We started form Ragama about 4.00 in the morning. The crew was 4 and used car as our mode of transportation..

Ohiya is a rural village and one of the most scenic and coolest places in Sri Lanka. Normal temperature is less than 12 Celsius. It’s a lonely and sleepy town. The entire town consists of two boutiques and the railway station only. Nearest town by road is Boralanda (10 KM). Nearest Petrol shed is Welimada (22 KM).

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.

Finally the monsoons seem to be over and it was all what I needed to stretch my muscles a bit. Following my last visit to Ihala Galagama I jotted down the name of beautiful mountain range called Havagala which is linked to the Ravana folklore “The arrow released in war games by King Ravana is said to have pierced seven mountains and penetrated two more mountain peaks.

This was arranged as a family trip as I wanted to take my parents and my brother and his wife to a relaxing, less adventures place close to nature. They had been complaining that “Umba hamadama thaniyama trip yanawa..Apiwath enkkan yanawako” So I picked Kanneliya . Our plan was to visit much easier (with minimum duration) trials as Cave, Giant creeper and Anagimala falls and stay the night there and return home next day. In fact I returned same night as I had an exam next day.