Sun was opening his doors to the world sending the early rays across the world when the whistle blew, green LED torches flashed from the back and front and the train left for her long arduous journey. The things got nastier at Ragama, Gampaha, Veyangoda and Polgahawela as many people tried to get in pushing and squeezing. Those who chewing beetle leaves and aricanut were forced to go deeper into the carriages making it impossible to spit out of the train, and Tony joked they must’ve had to swallow the lot as a result.

Eventually after it felt like being in a sea of people, we reached Kadugannawa and got off with a sigh of relief and went in search of a place to have a hearty breakfast before starting. This is when we met two of Lakdasun Members, Amran and Parsi who were leading a bunch of their office colleagues on a hike to Bathalegala. It brought back the happy memories of Our Bathalegala Journey. After a bellyful meal, we started our journey from Kadugannawa towards Rambukkana and you’re gonna read that here on.

The famous scenic hike from Kalupahana to Ohiya was one I wanted to do for a while and as usual this was decided within few hours. On the previous day we hiked Gommolliya and were spending the night at Bambarakanda rest relaxing and watching the football world cup. Since our Sunday plan was to return back to our homes we decided to alter it and do this hike. Bambarakanda rest which is managed by Mrs. Mayakaduwa is located 4km’s from Kalupahana so we had 20 more Km’s to get to Ohiya.

I was shocked to see the present situation of Nature Resort and adjoining nature park. It is truly an Abandoned Paradise. Nature Resort which is managed by Poonagala Estate needs a concentrated face lift to make it presentable to an average eco traveler. Adjoining nature part (A reserve) is overgrown with high grass and foot paths are difficult to follow. This means only one thing. People are not frequenting the Paradise. This is as bad as overcrowding a place of beauty.

This is part of my dream trip and part of Harinda’s dream. On my way to Kehelpothdoruwegala climbing I heard about a foot pathway from Kalugala to Meemure. Harinda has noted a foot pathway from Alugal Lena to Meemure in his Alugal Lena trip. We wanted to combine these two trails and do it in two days with camping at Alugal Lena.

Gombaniya is a mountain range and is located on the western border of Knuckles conservation its vegetation is almost similar to Horton plains because of its high altitude. The mountain could be reached from Rathnatenna (Alakolle estate) or Nelummale watta (Kabaragala side). The shorter but complex route is Rathnatenna side.

I have noted the road is little bit narrow, but some places can pass two buses. But on our way there is no trouble met like that. Also there is mini hydro plant locate near the water fall, which ppl cannot access.

ollowing heavy rains…I had the chance to explore the waterfalls close by……
As everyone know these falls and seen these falls before, I”ll post pictures rather than directions and full trip report. As a warning ,please do not attempt to go the base of Mara Kepu falls in rain…..Though I did it for pure curiosity…I won’t try it again…….

When I was working Hiniduma around 50km from Galle I went to see Nugagala Arannaya. You can use your vehicle but you have to climb a hill by foot to go Nugagala Arannaya. There lives a Hamuduruwo who has done amazing rock works. Believe it or not all this amazing works are done by this Hamuduruwo with his own hands.

Atha picked me around 3.45am on 26th July and we then got Tony on board and took the Avissawella-Ginigathhena Road. It was good to be back with the old couple as it’s always full of many stories, most of them are hilarious. They kept at it right throughout and I hardly managed to get a word in edgeways. The Kelani River looked placid in the wee hours and the mist hung over her like a veil. We enjoyed her company most of the way. Reaching Nawalapitiya, the skies looked grey, heavily laden with rain clouds and I was thrilled as it meant more water for the waterfalls. You’d be surprised how low the water levels become even after a few days of rain.

This proved to be the case with Ramboda and surrounding waterfalls despite there had been a lot of rains even during last week. We took the Hapugasthalawa Road and then turned onto Harangala. As soon as we turned, there was a nice shop and we stopped for breakfast where they served hot, hot Coconut Rotti with mouthwatering Lunu Miris, delicious Kola Kenda and authentic Peni Walalu. We all stuffed ourselves to the tip and were on our way passing the Hapugasthalawa Tank.

It was in July 2013 when I celebrated my first year anniversary with Lakdasun, the biggest and richest bank when it comes to the Nature of Sri Lanka. I wanted to be with the ones I adore on my first year anniversary, the beautiful girls aka waterfalls. Since then, I’ve done a lot more travelling expanding my horizon, ticking the ever so growing to-do-list, adding onto my collection of waterfalls.

So if I was gonna celebrate my 2nd Year Anniversary with anyone but waterfalls, it’d’ve been a costly mistake as it was the waterfall season and most of the waterfalls along the slopes of western side mountains were in near full flow. I carefully picked the date and the route, Hasi, Dhana and Kassa nicely fell into my trap. So we were ready to go see some more waterfalls (the second of us four, you can check our Waterfall Hunt before here) in Nawalapitiya, Thalawakele and Pundalu Oya.

I was able to visit at following places at Welimada in two days. Bomburu Ella and climbing to top of Bomburu Falls, Ravan Falls, Sthreepura cave expedition, Mana Falls, Ganethanna RMV, Ulugala RMV, Keppetipola fort, Diwrumpola Temple. Famous Bogoda wooden Bridge (බෝගොඩ ලී පාලම) and Boralanda government farm (බොරලන්ද ගොවිපල) are also closer to Welimada. I couldn’t go there.

This beautiful waterfall is situated within the Sinharaja rain forest. It got my attention in my visit to Sinharaja in Kudawa side. But this was attempted by waterfall lovers from Morning side at Sinharaja. Mr. Thilakasiri (Caretaker of Morning side forest bungalow for a long time) confirmed the foot pathway to waterfall has been forested now. Then I was heard it can be attempted from Ilumbekanda side. From our inquiries at Pothupitiya town, we got to know it can be reached by Denawak Kanda.