With the preference of majority last year’s company annual office trip was planned to Trincomalee.

With that we remembered that there was a news article in Defence.lk that SL Navy has started Whale & Dolphin watching cruises in Galle and Trincomalee recently. I have been to Trincomalee in 2003 during the peace talks and went to Muttur by ferry (named Seruwila 2). It was about one hour journey across the harbor and there were many things to visit. So we decided to get this arranged.

As the organizing committee we checked the possibility of arranging a cruise tour for Whale & Dolphin watching. When we inquired from SL Navy they said cost is LKR 5000 per person then (now it has been reduced to LKR. 3500/= with the profound request from public). Then we felt that it is not affordable alike

• Per head cost is too high, and hence for a family it would be too expensive
• Not sure about the possibility of seeing Whales & Dolphins (if that happens we won’t be able to survive the criticism from other colleagues  )

But we still didn’t give up. After having several discussions with project manager whale watching project by SLN we were able to obtain appropriate deal which is affordable. It is LKR 175,000 for 150 participants.
Since this is totally a new experience for all of us we had to face several challenges to organize this.

1. Since this tour starts at 7.00am at least we need to leave from hotel by 6.30am. Therefore we had to discuss with the hotel management to arrange an early breakfast buffet (by 5.30) for all of us.
2. Making everyone to get ready (130 members) by 6.30am, because usually our night time sing along session & booze runs till 1.00am, 2.00am.
3. Since we work for a private organization the nature of doing things are different from Forces like SL Navy. So we had to adhere to their system/practice.

Though our main objective is Whale & Dolphin watching we had several other objectives also.

• Visit strategically & historically important Trincomalee harbor which is the 5th largest and finest natural harbor in the world. This is 10 times bigger than the Colombo harbor. It is a marvelous creation of nature because it is overlooked by terrace highlands and any giant ship could be hidden in the harbor if you don’t have an aerial view. (They have actually done this during the war and they showed us where they hid Jetliner during our tour.)

On 23rd morning we got up early with lots of enthusiasm and left from the hotel by 6.45 after having the breakfast. When we were reaching to the Ashroff Jetty everything was ready and A543 Cruise was waiting for us. We started our long awaiting journey by 7.15am.

A-543 was waiting for us (Click Image to Enlarge)

A-543

Map (Though it is mentioned as short cruise it took 5 hours) - Click Image to Enlarge

1st they took us on a ride around the harbor and during this tour we could see several important things like:

• Foul point lighthouse where we didn’t have control till early 2007
• Koneshwaram Kovil
• Naval dockyard
• Prima Jetty, Mitsui Jetty and some of the beautiful islands inside the harbour.

Prima flour milling complex at Prima Jetty	SLNS Sayura berthed at Naval dockyard (Click Image to Enlarge)
SLNS Samudura berthed at naval dockyard (Click Image to Enlarge)	No whales or dolphins yet…

It was just 30 minutes and we were still in the Trincomalee bay. Suddenly the Commander Kosala Wijesooriya, project manager of whale watching project announced that our ship is surrounded by dolphins. Everyone ran out to see them.

100s of dolphins have surrounded us and they were swimming with us. It was very difficult to capture their movements with a single click camera. This is where the advanced technology became more important than a good eye!

Thanks to Roshan who owned a multi click camera we could capture some of their nice movements.

It’s play time! (Click Image to Enlarge)

Click Image to Enlarge

After watching the dolphins, the captain started the journey towards the deep sea where the Blue Whales are generally sighting.

On the way we got surrounded by another crowd of dolphins and they swam with us for a longer time. It was so interesting to see them; sometimes they seem to be playing.

.	Wow… (Click Image to Enlarge)
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We were lucky enough to see rare scenery – Flying fishes (පියාමස්සෝ in Sinhala) who come out from the sea and flying about 10m – 15m. They do this to protect from their predators as explained in a documentary program called ‘BBC Life’
Even after a few hours of journey we still didn’t see at least a single whale.

We went about 10 naval miles towards the deep sea and captain had a map with GPS locations where he had sighted whales in previous tours.

Alone in the sea…

With the sun rise and having spent several hours in sea we were a bit tired and crew onboard invited us to enjoy snack & refreshment. They had arranged us a very good snack with fresh fruit juice.

Suddenly there was another announcement from captain “there are 3 whales close to us”

We all ran out again. We could see 2 of them at a distance of 50m – 100m. They were there for about 10, 15 minutes. But we couldn’t take a good picture. We could see the Blue Whales “blow” (the large spray) several times at a distance.

But we couldn’t get closer to them. According to the captain some odd days they cannot approach them closely due to some reasons (weather and sea conditions, whale habitats etc.)He was also stressed that passengers should also got to have enough luck to see those giants at close proximity.

Impatient to see Blue Whales…they are close by…	Too late…
The only photograph we could capture – The Blue Whale	View from bridge of the ship
.	Bridge of the ship
.Koneshwaram Kovil from Sea	One of the natural hiding places for ships in Trinco Harbour

After a successful journey of 5 hours we came back to the Ashroff Jetty. It was a great/different experience altogether and everyone was overjoyed.

Green Ocean – which was used to transport injured in the rescue missions during the last phase of the war

Buses were waiting for us just after the cruise

In the evening we had another life time worth experience. It was snorkeling near the Pigeon Island.

Till I complete that report enjoy reading this.

We organized this hike as a university tradition. There were seven secret members for organizing the hike.

We started the hike at about 9 in the morning from the Faculty canteen with a guide dog “White Fang” .

towards Udaperadeniya	We walked along the Udaperadeniya road to Upper Hanthana Bungalow
Upper Hanthana Bungalow

Then we entered into Hanthana forest reserve with sudden a rain fall. We had to face a terrible leech attack at the start.

Inside the Hanthana Forest Reserve	Inside the Hanthana Forest Reserve
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Inside the Hanthana Forest Reserve	Inside the Hanthana Forest Reserve

We came to a huge area with pine trees. Then we climbed through the tea estates to a plain area of the mountain range. We had our lunch there.

Pine Trees	Pine Trees
mist around pine trees	one after one
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.	White Fang needs a rest
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through the tea estate	beautiful
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Then we walked through the highest margin of the mountain range to Bowalawatta end.We could see the whole area of Heerassagala, Bowala, Gatambe and Mahaweli river from Peradeniya to Gohagoda.

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.	Bowalawatte
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.	White Fang

Then we climbed down towards Hotel Amaya Hills,Bowalawatta.

We came to Bowalawatta at about 7 in the evening and then walked to the university via Rajawatta.

I was away from Sinharaja for too long…….  It had been more than a year since the previous visit. Its a place which you can’t stay away from for long so I had to some how squeeze a two day trip in July. It  was going to be Thihela’s first visit to Sinharaja as well.

We left Moratuwa around 8.00 in the morning.  With no stops, we straigt away drove to the Blue magpie lodge. We reached there just passed noon.

This was my first visit to the Bluemagpie lodge. The lodge was located bordering a paddy field and a tea field. In front of the lodge, across a narrow concrete village road, was a crystal clear stream which was so inviting for a dip.

Shallow pool was so inviting

View Upstream from where we were bathing

rest of the day was dedicated for relaxation (a.k.a sleeping ). The lodge was well maintained and had all basic facilities required for a comfortable stay. The staff was friendly and very helpful. All in all it was a pleasant experience at the Blue magpie lodge.

After a good night sleep, we woke up to a beautiful morning.

Early Morning at Blue Magpie Lodge

Dining area overlooking paddy fields

After breakfast we thought of doing a short walk inside the forest.

The forest department ticket office has now been relocated further towards the protected area entrance on the Jeep track. The road up to the new ticket office is well paved. There is a parking area in front of the office as well. This new setup effectively reduces the length of the walk to the entrance of the forest from 2.5km to 1.5km.  The jeep track is now closed for vehicles and therefore you have to use the alternative jeep tack through the village (check trail map) if you want to drive up to the forest entrance (4WD only)

After completing the formalities we were greeted by our guide “Ajith”. Since we had the little one with us, we decided to drive up to the forest entrance.

By the time we entered the forest it was around 9.00 a.m. It was way past the prime bird watching window. It wasn’t meant to be a bird watching walk anyway.

We started walking leasurely towards the research center along the jeep track. Thihela was throughly enjoying his first walk in the rainforest. A lot of things facinated him on the way but what really caught his eyes was the little pool with a large shool of fish, on the side of the road.

Lush Green

Walking in a new world!

Fascinated by the large school of fish in the road side pool

The forest was full of may other fascinating creatures such as this Caterpillar swinging in the cool breeze

Even though we were not particuallry behind birds, we were pelasantly surprised when we came across a fairly large feeding flock where we were able to observe species such as Red Faced Malkoha, Malabar Trogon and couple other regular endemic species of bablers along with other regular feeding flock species.

We leisurrly reached the summer hut at the second Mulawella entrace at which point Ajith told us that there was a pair of frogmouth roosting in a tree fern and went to see whether they are still their. After some searching in the forest he came back with the good news. He had located them!

We were really happy to see the pair peacefully perched on a tree fern. Eventhough the location and light was not ideal to take pictures, I managed to take couple of “Average shots”

Pair of Frogmounth

Location and Light condition was not ideal but manageable

A closer frame with a long zoom Point and shoot

We spent a considerable time observing and photographing these rare Owls and came back to the summer hut to find another beautiful visitor at close range.

It was a flock of Blue Magpies. There were couple of individuals hanging in and around the summer hut. They appeared to be very comfortable with us and I could get as close as couple of feet from them.

Eye Catching Blue Magpie at Close range

Another one

They appeared to be very comfortable with People. So much so that one of them would even perch on a pillar of one of the concrete benches where we were seated!

The blue magpies were there for the entire duration of our stay at the summer hut. It appeared that they gather there when ever a group comes there to rest. These were clear signs of people feeding these birds there. In my opinion it is a bad trend which I have not previously observed in Sinharaja (Even though feeding wild animals have become serious concerns elsewhere for an example people feeding wild elephants at Udawalawa, See discussions Begging Elephants at Udawalawa and Elephant Beggars….)

We left the blue magpies and started walking back to the entrance. Up on our arrival at the gate guard brought us news of a GreenPit viper at a closeby location. It was easy to locate it with the information privided by the guard and the conditions were good of some macro shots.

The last photo opportunity of the day was a good one

green pitviper - a more serious look!

After a satisfying couple hour walk, we thanked our guide Ajith, particularly for his enthusiasm to show us most of the forest and locating some “not so easy to spot” species on his own initiative. We got back in to the double cab and drove back to the Blue Magpie Lodge.

after another cool bath in the river, we had lunch and drove back home. It was a short but an eventful two days at Sinharaja.

Originally we planned this trip to visit the waterfalls in Ginigathhena and Hatton area, but since we were able to reach Ginigathhene before 7, made a sudden change of plans and decided to hike the Thotupola kanda. As I mentioned earlier the climate was really cool and the roads were all covered in mist.

Misty road in Hatton…	Trees covered in mist…
Tea plantation in Hatton area…	Tea plantation in Hatton area…

On our way to Nuwaraeliya we also came across the famous Devon fall and St’clair fall in Talawakele..

Devon falls….	Standing tall…
Scenery…	Beauty…
St’clair falls..	Mist appearing from time to time

Again from Pattipola onwards we experienced thick mist; inside the park it also remained the same….

Ambewela farm covered in mist….	Ambewela farm
Pattipola entrance…	The small pool near the entrance…
Near the ticketing office…	Thick mist inside the park…
More inside the park…	Inside the park
inside the park	Click Image to Enlarge
Trail head…	Trail….
Spooky…isn’t it…?	Spooky…isn’t it…?
On the way to summit….	On the way to summit….
On the way to summit	On the way to summit
On the way to summit	On the way to summit
On the way to summit	On the way to summit
Summit…….	Summit

After having lunch near the Gregory’s lake we started heading back home….

Gregory’s lake…

Thank you very much for reading my trip report. Have a safe journey …..

Wawetenna an off the beaten travel location has been hidden from popular travel forums for years. Times to time many inquiries have been made by travelers on this marvelous travel location, but none has received answers satisfactory. As per the 1:50,000 map of Kandy, there were two locations with the same name. Finally having analyzing limited data available, a place closed to Madamahanuwara was identified as the real Wawethenna where a panoramic view point was existed. This travelogue is dedicated to all who interested on re-discovering of this hidden travel location.

It was 11.00 am. We were on our way home from Mahiyanganaya, abounding the scheduled activities of the day. When we passed Hunnasigiriya, a little memory on Rajagala & Wawetenna was came in to my mind. But we could not obtain proper travel information until we stop for a tea in a café closed to Madamahanuwara. Having satisfying ourselves with “Pol rote” with “Kocchi Lunu Miris” like dynamite, I had a chat with the shop owner. He was a very helpful man and gave me few travel tips what I wanted to know the most.

As per his tips, we found a narrow route at a huge bend; later we got to know as “Hulan Wanguwa” at A26 Hi-way. Before get in to the sub route, we inquired on road condition from a three wheeler (Tuk-tuk) driver, who just reached the main road from the said sub route. What he said was the distance to Wewethenna from there was about 5km and the route could be managed with our van since usually three wheelers do. Further he mentioned that three wheeler drivers of the area used to visit Wawethenna occasionally for fun. We encouraged much with the comment he made in his words “එතන එල පොට්එක අය්යා“. How ever at the end of the day; we realized that the information given by him was not acceptable except the last one. The distance from the Hulan wanguwa to Wewethenna was 9km & the road was not recommended for a van like ours but an off road vehicle.

First sight of the Estate road started from “Hulan Wanguwa”

The road was narrow and steep. Surface was completely eroded and stones exposed were armed with sharp edges for damaging tires. Most of the time our vannete used her full strength to protect the oil sump from boulders; exposed in the middle line of the road.

The first landmark of our route was a tea store. Up to that point the road was some what manageable though there were several road segments in bad condition.

Office of the Grama Niladari @ Rajagala

The tea store was located at Rajagala. Rajagala was important due to existence of the place where the King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe; the last King of ours, captured by English in 1815. The exact location was hidden from outsiders due to not providing correct road information by villagers. Because villagers believed that memento was a sign of traitorous & shamed on that historic incident.

Having moving another 500m uphill, we reached a three way junction (way point 2) where a Hindu shrine was located. We turned right & proceed along the lower path. Since the junction was populous, we faced no difficulties to verify our route.

first three way junction (way point 2) where a Hindu shrine was located	A broken culvert we met just after the way point 2
Hindu Kovil	Hulan Wanguwa (Zoomed) visible in a distance

Having passed nearly a kilometer we met the first vehicle in that route. We were much lucky that we met the same at rather wide bend where a Catholic shrine was located.

wide bend where a Catholic shrine was located

From there onwards the road laid through a turpentine forest. At the middle of the same we reached another 3 way junction. As like previous one, this was also populous & we could verify our route from villagers. How ever we met the second effective 3way junction in the next 75m uphill. (Waypoint 3) from there we took the left, the uphill one, while the right one lead to A26 hi-way.

Peaceful lives in country side

the second effective 3way junction (Waypoint 3)

Again the poor vehicle had to use her full strength to overcome obstacles in the narrow road ascending continuously. Having traveling nearly 2km, we reached the 3rd effective 3way junction (Way point 4) in our route to Wawethenna. We turned left & proceed up to the line houses located nearby. The junction was special since the right side path was lead to Moragahamulla junction at A26, which we tried at the end of the day.

Feel free

Having verifying our route; we proceed uphill. It was nearly 1.5km distance from those line houses to the summit. Half of the same was driven through the turpentine plantation while the rest; the final segment was laid through a natural vegetation. The road was steep & narrow as usual and allow no room to turn-back a vehicle in the middle.

Line houses are visible below	Towards the summit
obstacles

Finally we reached our dream destination; yes it was seemed as the door step of the heaven. The climate & the surrounding were much similar to the Horton plane. Wind and low depth soil had made trees on the plane pigmy. Earth of the summit was consisted with whitish sand as same as the summit of Namunukula. The plane was larger than few hectares and part of the same was covered with the reservoir, which was almost empty due to the drought.

Finally we reached our dream destination

Wawethenna; it was seemed as the door step of the heaven

Earth of the summit was consisted with whitish sand as same as the summit of Namunukula

There was a view point wider than 180o and it was not interrupted with mist due to the dry weather condition at that time. The valley where the Victoria reservoir was located was clearly visible. Remaining of an abundant estate bungalow made the place mysterious.

The valley where the Victoria reservoir was located was clearly visible

Remaining of an abundant estate bungalow made the place mysterious

Wawethewnna is worth visiting travel location and also recommended for camping lovers. It was 1.5km to the nearest civilization that you can have portable water. For other purposes, you can use the water in the reservoir. If you need any dessert, you can collect Chinese-guava (චීනපේර) from thousands of trees grown around the reservoir.

thousands of Chinese-guava (චීනපේර) trees grown around the reservoir.

When we visit there, young team had been enjoying there. They had reached wawethenna with two there wheelers. They were kind enough to provide road information on an alternative route for us. Since I was mad on returning the same route, I accepted their proposal cheerfully. Having spending nearly an hour there, we decided to take our move.

A young team reached Wawethenna by 3wheelers were enjoying there

The return path was same up to the way point 4. From there onwards we used the other route which was rather acceptable in condition. After the Hangurugama Estate, the road was concreted.

Road laid along the edge of the reservoir

Large butterfly found at the forest patch

Way point 4 – the third effective 3way junction

Sign board of the Hangurugama Estate (Way point 6)

At Welekumbura junction the concreted road joined with a well paved tarred road. Turning right, we conditioned downwards until we find the carpeted road driven from A26 to Victoria dam. It was more than 4km of continuous descending from Welekumbura to that junction. Having turning right again we reached Moragahamulla junction from where we get into the A26 Hi-way. We felt comfortable having seen a road sign board indicated that the distance from there to Kandy was just 31 km.

cabbage

Waypoints

We started our journey from Kahawa at about 6.00am. Normally if we need to go to Ratnapura we used to go to Panadura and head to Ratnapura. But we thought to go our journey through the country then I found the way using the road map published by the dept. of survey. We turn from Kahawa junction and refueled our bike at Meetiyagoda. Then we reached to Elpitiya and about 7.15am were able to reach Pelawatta. There is a road from Pelawatta to Baduraliya. The Pelawatta end of this road shapes very badly. But the road is being constructed and after about 4km the road is carpeted and shapes very nice. This road goes through a rural village and the surrounding of the road is very nice and calm. We heard the sounds of numerous birds.

after about 4km the road is carpeted and shapes very nice

Road from Pelawatta to Baduraliya

We entered to Kalawana main road from Kamburawala junction and headed to Kalawana. We had our breakfast on the river bank of Kukule ganga near by the road.

Where we had our breakfast….

It was about 10.00am when we reach Kalawana. We had to stop few minutes at Karawita town as it began to rain.

Quench the thirst from a “PEELLA” near by the road

Then we reached to Nivithigala at about 11 and I met my co-worker there. We parked out bicycle at his place and started our journey to seek the fall by a three wheeler.

We had to travel in a very bad shaped road from Karawita junction about 4km and then had to stop our vehicle at a small shop and walk through the thick forest to see the falls. We had to cross two steams in which many endemic fish species live. We could identify ‘Gal Pandiya’ ‘Thal kossa’ and ‘Heetha Massa’. The climb became tougher and had to climb some boulders too. Fortunately because of the lack of the rain most rocks were dry. One or two leaches attacked us but comparing with our experiences in Sinharaja and Kanneliya that was insignificant.

Distance view of the falls	Road towards the falls
We climbed the rocks and reached the top of the falls	The top of Ballamala Ella

We walk along the stream and wondered with the beauty of the surrounding. We could see a panoramic view from the top of the falls. Then we started climbing down and had a bath at the bottom of the falls.

From the bottom of the falls

From the bottom of the falls

We came back to Nivithigala at about 3.45pm and had our late lunch at my co-worker Perera’s house. After having the lunch he accompanied us to see a gem mine. Unfortunately the workers had come out as we were very late to there. But about 2 years ago I was able to get into a gem mine at the same place. Here are those pictures.

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We headed to Kahangama at about 7.30pm and stayed the night at our cousin’s house. On the following day we left Ratnapura at about 8.00am and reached to Nambapana, Ingiriya about 9.00 and turn to Bulathsinhala. From there we went to Meegahatenna and Awittawa. We could reach to Hikkaduwa about 12.30pm.

By the road from Meegahatenna to Walallawita	The peaceful road from Awittawa to Elpitiya
My co-worker Perera, he climbed all the rocks with his broken hand hung.

We began a long and wonderful journey on the morning of 13th July 2011 around 5 a.m. after I completed packing and loading all items which were arranged at my home, the previous evening. The van went about picking the rest of the members and finally, we were on the A5 route passing Victoria and Randenigala reservoirs in the early hours of a warm day.

Breakfast was at a boutique at Keerthibandara-Pura. The journey resumed and finally we reached Bibile around 12.00 noon. We bought a few essential items like bread, lunch packets to be had at the office premises at Nilgala and some sweets at a supermarket at Bibile. It was a hot afternoon, we were sweating and in need of a bath!

Outskirts of Nilgala Beat Office

Nilgala forest reserve, where an abundance of medicinal plants are to be found. It is said to be a forest that was used by King Buddhadasa in the 7th century BC

Lunch time came at the office premises (Nilgala), and everyone just started munching eagerly. After our lunch, we set off to the Kahathaaththahela rock where we saw ruins of an ancient temple complex.

We set up camp at Mahadorowwa that evening and completed setting up tents and cooking early, to spend more time in the stream. Feeling wonderfully fresh, dinner was enjoyed by all and then it was time to turn in for the night.

Completing work in setting up tents

The following morning, after breakfast, we set off to have a look at the Nilgala Anicut, and had hopes of sighting the three toed kingfisher. We were not fortunate enough to spot the bird. The anicut and the water that flowed beyond proved to be a haven to many in the group who just sank into the sand and water.

lovely display of buttress roots of a ‘Kumbuk Tree’ next to the Nilgala Anicut.

On the way back to the camp, a nuthatch was spotted

That evening surroundings were spellbinding that being a poya day. The moonlight and the gushing water made everyone relaxed.

15th morning while a group went birding; the rest of them cooked breakfast. Then it was time to move on to Galoya side of the national park to camp out at Kossapola.

The newly shaped up road, leading to the Kossapola campsite.	The campsite overlooking Senanayake Samudraya
Setting up tents for the night	A campfire
The campsite bathed with the evening sunlight	Reflection of setting rays of the sun on the waters of a magnificent lake

We set up camp, cooked during the two days, went on a boat ride and watched gentle giants staring back at us and an assortment of birds in Bird Island chirping and screaming at us for disturbing their roosting time! One morning some early birds in our group were fortunate enough to see a lone elephant swimming across the lake to get to the other side. The sunsets were appealing; the quiet evenings were only disturbed by varied bird calls.

The final day dawned, bags were packed and loaded, and with heavy sighs, we set off to the city once again. A visit to Deegawapi temple complex was made by afternoon, and then we were on our way to Kandy.

It was indeed a memorable journey.

Sunset from Kossapola campsite

The sight of waders on a morning from the campsite

A view of the lake, and a fisherman with his catch

Elephants in the distance

A pelican glides quietly

Since we have not been to down south for a while thought to organize family trip to Kataragama and then to Yala national park. We took following root starting from Matugama and crew was 3 adults and my son who is just 3 years old and we were traveling by car.

1st Day – 18th July 2011

We took Galle road and we depart from home early morning 5.30 AM since we are planning to visit Weherahena and Wawrukannala temples in Matara as part of this trip. Took our breakfast at Koggala beach and drive towards Matara and arrived at weherahena around 9 AM. Since this is a week day (Monday) there were only few visitors to the temple and we had good chance to observe the Lord Buddha statue (It says tallest statue in Sri Lanka but not sure since Kandewihara Lord Buddha statue might be taller than that) and also Umang wihara (tunnel) art works as well.

Koggala beach – Galle road

Weherahena Raja maha viharaya – Matara

Next destination was Wawrukanala temple at Dikwela and it was nice to see great Load Buddha statue and also the famous tunnel paintings and Sculptures to represent Yama Raja and Apaya (under word). It is sad to say that most of the paintings are ruined and damaged by visitors

Wewurukannala Raja maha Viharaya – Dikwella (Matara)	Yama raja statue at Wewurukannala raja maha viharaya
Ancient clock at Wewurukannala raja maha viharaya

Road condition from Tangalle to Ambalantota was in excellent condition and drive speed was almost between 90 to 100 Km/h and at last got caught to Police for crossing single line Had to pay the price (Rs. 550 penalty) and such a time wastage

There was so many massive construction work going on at Hambantota – Weerawila area due to 2018 Commonwealth Games preparations (Not sure whether 2018 games will be given to Sri Lanka or Gold Coast – Australia). Here roads are extremely wide and in top condition and you are welcome drive at top speed.

salterns (ලුණු ලේවාය) at Hambantota	Wind mills to produce electricity at Hambantota
Beauty of mother nature – Weerawila

We arrived Tissamaharama around 1.00 PM and we took our lunch close to Tissamaharama tank. This is a nice place to relax and perfect place for Bird watching in the Tissamaharama tank. If you have a Binocular you can easily observe so many water birds and also if you have time you can take a boat ride around the lake for Rs. 500

Tissamaharama tank – best place for Birth watching

You can have a boat ride in Tissamaharama tank

After the lunch we rushed to Kataragama and drive towards Katagamuwa to visit Sithulpawwa temple. Road was in gravel condition and dusty but there were only few potholes and we drove almost 50 KM/h speed across the Kataragama protected wild life sanctuary towards Katagamuwa entrance point of Yala. Middle of the way we observed few birds including
Blue-faced Malkoha

Katagamuwa entrance point to Yala was still closed for visitors and totally governed by the SL Army. We heard that they are going to open Katagamuwa entrance to Yala on 30th July 2011. We took permission from Army personal to drive towards Sithulpawwa and it is 18 KM from Kataragama to Sithulpawwa and it took about 1/2 hour drive to reach there.

Sithulpawwa was nice place to overview Yala national park in birds eye and temple and facilities were well maintained. At sithulpawwa we saw Tusk elephant which had got used to visit temple area to eat garbage thrown by visitors. There were large group of wild monkeys (25 to 50) at temple premises where we parked our vehicle and while we were out they took vehicle under their custody and we had to fight back to drive them away.

Kataragama dewalaya - Kataragama	Kiri-wehera chaithyaya – Kataragama
Tusk elephant at Sithulpawwa raja maha viharaya	“Leave me alone” – Deer at Sithulpawwa raja maha viharaya
Man made pond at rock mountain at Sithulpawwa Raja maha viharaya	Ancient විහාර ගෙය at Sithulpawwa temple
Yala national park from Sithulpawwa mountain	කුට්ටම් පොකුණ (Twin Ponds) at Sithulpawwa Temple
Small වැව (tank) at Sithulpawwa	කුඩා සිතුල්පව්ව
Sithulpawwa chaithyaya

Our next destination was Yoda kandiya (close to Kirinda) and there was 35 KM gravel road from Sithulpawa to Yoda kandiya but we heard road condition was not good and therefore we came back to Kataragama and visited Kiri wehera raja maha vihara Temple and then to Kataragama Dewalaya. Due to dry weather water level in Manik ganga was very low.

We drive back to Tissamaharama and drive to Yoda kandiya situated 6 KM from Tissamaharama towards Kirinda. We stay night at Duminda rest house at Yoda kandiya own by Harsha. He was very friendly and helpful to arrange Safari jeep for us to visit Yala next day. Duminda rest house was privately owned small guest house having 3 rooms with attached bath rooms with basic facilities. Room was clean and furnished with 2 double beds. It cost Rs 1000/= for 1 night (room only) and it is well worth to its price. If anyone interested to stay here and arrange Safari jeeps to visit Yala you may call Harsha’s mobile – 0726645587

2nd day – 19th July 2011

Next day we gotup early morning (4 am) and prepared to visit Yala, and our Safari Jeep – Land rover owned by Priyantha came to the guest house around 5 AM early morning. Road condition from Yala junction to Palatupana entrance (12 KM) was in bad condition. We took tickets from the office and there was a museum and an information center at ticketing office providing details regarding the Yala wild life sanctuary. We took tickets for 4 people and for the Guide / Trekker (Priyantha) cost almost Rs. 900/=

Our guide Priyantha told us that there was no raining for almost 2 and 1/2 months and due to that reason Yala was very dry and dusty. We had to wear handkerchief across the nose and mouth (මුඛවාඩම්) to protect from dust when driving through gravel roads inside Yala. Since it was early morning we had a good chance to observe so many birds including following.

1. GREY HERON (Alu Koka)
2. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Re-koka)
3. BLACK-NECKED STORK (Ali-manava)
4. PAINTED STORK (Latuvekiya)
5. BLACK-HEADED IBIS (Hisakalu Deketta)
6. ASIAN OPENBILL(Asiya Vivaratuduva)
7. PIED KINGFISHER (Gomara-pilihuduva)
8. COMMON KINGFISHER (Mal Pilihuduva)
9. SRI LANKA JUNGLEFOWL (Sri Lanka Vali Kukula)
10. INDIAN PEAFOWL (Monara)
11. MALABAR PIED HORNBILL (Poru-kedetta)
12. GREEN BEE-EATER (Punchi Binguharaya)
13. GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Nila Mahagoya)
14. COMMON WOODSHRIKE (Podu Vana-seratitta)
15. ASIAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Asiya Rehenmara)

Also we observe following animals while driving though Yala Park

1. wild rabbit
2. Wild fox
3. wild boar
4. wild buffalo
5. Deer and Gona
6. Crocodile
7. Civet cat (Urulewa)
8. Sri Lankan Leopard

Priyantha’s Land-rower safari jeep	Museum and information center at Yala entrace / ticketing center
Yala entrance	Skeleton (head) of a dead elephant
Off-road experience	Green bee eater
Very rare incident – Peacock (Monara) fully extending feathers	Wild Buffalo – other names “Kula” / “gawara”
his deer wounded by vehicle accident and unable to walk. Our guide tring to help	Wild rabbit – “හාවා”
Wild fox – "හිවලා" / "නරියා"	වළි කුකුලා - Jungle Fowl
Small deer	Female peacock with kids
Water birds	Manik ganga
Giant kumbuk tree at Manik ganga	Nature’s beauty at Manik ganga
Another view from the middle of Manik ganga	Closer view of deer
Flock of wild pigs drinking water	Wild Buffalo enjoying the water bathing
Wild pigs enjoying mud bathing

We are so much lucky to observe 2 Leopards in a tree top. Since it was far away from the Jeep we had to use Binoculars to observe them (too bad it was out of my camera zoom range ) Also we had to face unexpected incident close to Manik ganga block inside Yala. We were at Manik ganga river taking some photographs and suddenly a troop of monkeys were making distress calls (indicating near by danger) and our Trekker / Guide asked us to immediately get in to Jeep since a Leopard was some where close to us. Calls of Monkeys were heard very closely, I guess almost within 100 meters range. We rushed in to Jeep and Priyantha asked Jeep driver to go through the road towards where we heard Monkeys shouting. Just after 50 meters from Manik ganga our Tracker Priyantha found very fresh foot prints of passing by Leopard in the sand. We stay for a while anticipating to see a sight but unfortunately we missed the chance. I took a photograph of the foot print (see the photographs) to memorize this incident.

Very fresh foot print of Leopard – “දිවියා”

After spending almost 4 hours we were so much tired and lucky we had some sandwiches we took with us and we departed from Yala around 10.30 AM and drove towards Kirinda temple.

Kirinda temple and chaithya	Kirinda beach
විහාර මහා දේවි (Vihara maha devi) – statue at Kirinda

After that we drive back to Tissamaharama and took Pannegamuwa road towards Wellawaya road. However road was closed due to construction work and there was an alternative narrow road (recently concreted) that joined the middle of walawaya road. I am totally disappointed since I was planing to spend couple of hours at Weerawila tank and Pannegamuwa tank for Bird watching.

Yoda kandiya tank (between Tissamaharama and Kirinda)

Tissamaharama chaithya

Road condition from Tanamalwila to Udawalawe was perfect and we drove our car almost 100 KM/h. Close to Udawalawe we saw more than 5 elephants waiting near the electric fence until someone offer them food. I stop the car and took some photographs as well. There were some small shops close by and I asked whether those elephants come everyday and their response was people throwing fruits (pooja wati) close to fence and due to that reason elephants used to come and eat them.

Just after drive over the Udawalawe dam (View of Udawalawe tank and surrounding from the dam was fantastic), We went to Udawalawe – ඇත් අතුරු සෙවන : The elephant transit Home and we were happy to see baby elephants feeding with milk and enjoyed their freedom after that. While we were there one of the Safari Jeep fellows asked us to visit Udawalawe for Rs 2500 (I am not sure if this the correct cost for a Jeep safari in Udawalawe ?) but we refused since we are totally tired after Yala trip.

Elephant near electric fence at Udawalawe	Udawalawe tank
Baby elephants at “ඇත් අතුරු සෙවන” – Udawalawe	Baby elephant enjoy freedom after milk feeding

We drove across Godakawela towards Palmadula and took shortcut to Niwithigala from Kahawata that leads to nice road across beautiful tea plantations in Rathnapura district. After reaching niwitigala we took road towards Kalawana and then to Baduraliya. We came across Athwaltota and nice to drive across this road and we almost feel like we are going across Sinharaja rain forest

After Baduraliya we drive to Matugama and and finaly we are back home.

View complete Travelogue with photos at Authors Site: www.rshanthini.com/Bambarakanda_Waterfall.htm

Panoramic view towards the south under the rolling clouds boarded by the multi coloured shrubs on the left and lush green tea plantation on the right

View complete Travelogue with photos at Authors Site: www.rshanthini.com/Bambarakanda_Waterfall.htm

Timeline:

5 am: Left Peradeniya in a hired van

7 am: Reached Nuwereliya

8 am: Left Nuwereliya after a heavy breakfast

11 am: Reached the trail head travelling via Ambewale, Pattipola, Pattipola-side entrance to Horton Plains, Visitor centre at Horton Plains, Ohiya-side entrance to Horton Plains (permits had to be purchased to enter Horton Plains even though we were only passing through it);

Trail head was at about 2 km from the Ohiya-side entrance along the Horton Plains-Ohiya road (B508) towards Ohiya; Waypoint KH11 (2040 m high)

Hike started here and the van went to Bambarakanda via Ohiya, Borelanda, Haputale and Kalupahana

12.30 pm: At 3 km from the trail head, reached the Ohiya-Kalupahana Colonial Trek; Waypoint KH11 (1748 m high)

1 pm: At 4.5 km from the trail head, reached the Devils Staircase; Waypoint KH09 (1746 m high)

3 pm: At Yellatenna, a picturesque township

4.15 pm: At the location where the Jeep track crossed the stream feeding Bambarakanda falls

4.45 pm: At about 9 km from the trail head reached the V-cut; Waypoint KH06 (1408 m high)

5.30 pm: At 11.5 km from the trail head reached the Bambarakanda Rest (end of hike for some); Waypoint KH04 (1142 m high)

6 pm: At about 12 km from the trail head reached the best observation point for the Bambarakanda falls (end of hike for the others); Waypoint KH03 (1056 m high)

6.30 pm: At Kalupahana between the 173rd and 174th km post along Colombo-Badulla highway (A4 road); Waypoint KH01 (846 m high)

8 pm: Reached Nuwereliya via Haputale, Borelanda and Keppitipola

9 pm: Left Nuwereliya after having had dinner there

11 pm: Reached Peradeniya (filled with peace of mind)

View complete Travelogue with photos at Authors Site: www.rshanthini.com/Bambarakanda_Waterfall.htm

In green Saradiel gala and in red Bo Ella

Soora Saradiel

Let me start by giving a small introduction about this local hero who lived on top of this rock.

Quote:
“Deekirikewagela Saradiyel better known as Uthuwan Kande Soora Saradiyel/Saradiel was a Sri Lankan Sinhalese native who lived in Mawanella. From his hideout – a small hill known as Uthuwan Kanda, Saradiyel fought fiercely against British colonialism. He is known as the Robin Hood of Ceylon/ Sri Lanka as he looted the wealth from British officers and their local counterparts who followed the Road to Central Holy City of Sri Lanka “Kandy” by road in Horse Carts, Coaches and Bullock Carts

Deekirikewagela Saradiyel was born in 1832 to his father Deekirikewage Adasi Appu – a bullocart driver and Molligoda Pichohami – a small coffee shop owner. The natives were under heavy economical and political pressure from unfair taxes under British rule and were rebelling against as best way they could. Saradiyel was accompanied by fellow natives namely Mammale Marikkar, his sister, Abdul Cader, Nazarudeen, Samad etc.”

I left Colombo and reached a small town just before Mawanella called Utuwankanda where you can find the road which leads you to Saradiels rock (Utuwan mawatha). After walking about 1Km I came across a small road branching off towards the Saradiels rock towards the left. I travelled uphill until I met some locals where I asked for directions, they said take the path which goes uphill so at one point I entered another path which branched out to the left trough a small rubber estate. The path was there until the last bit, it was a steep climb on the slippery muddy track. There were many other paths but I stucked on to the path which went further uphill and around the rock. And at last I started to feel the breeze which gave me a clue saying I’m close to the top. I was at an open area on top of a rock where I laid and refreshed myself with some H2O. From here the view was great but I had to go further up which was bit challenging. After crossing one of Saradiels caves I had to go along the border of the rock clinging on to some trees before I reached the next level where I could see all around the Mawanella area. But the temptation did not allow me to stop my journey at that point so I decided to climb the last part of the rock. Though the last part was only 5 meters it took me about 15 minutes to get to the summit.

Uthuwankanda

The path towards Saradiel gala starts near an old school	Close up view
The path	The Path branches off to the left

Obstacles:

1. It was pure 90degree rock wall and there were few gaps to hold on and climb.
2. Too much breeze.
3. 100’s of Caterpillars on the rock surface.

Time was wasted on caterpillars because I had to remove them from the rock wall to prevent a disaster. At last I was on top of the rock and it was simply mind blowing. At one side it is the mighty Alagalla Mountain. And on the other side of the Kandy road you can spot Ura kanda, Bathalegala(seen as a triangular shape mountain), Ahu Pini Ella, Devanagala and Ambuluwawa far away. And most of all the perfect view of the A1 Kandy-Colombo road was great and it justified the reason for Saradiel to select this place.

Glimpse of the summit

had a glance on the path I came

Came across one of his caves

Got closer but more to climb

Dead tree

Bees	Algalla in the backdrop
Is it a Foot?	The toughest part of the climb

Obstacles

Projection at the summit

The summit

Mawanella town in the center and Devanagala on the right

Paddy fields at Utuwankanda

Kandy - Colombo road

Kegalle side

Alagalla mountain

On the left Bathalegala seen as a triangal & Ura Kanda on the right seen as a dome

After that joyful stay I decided to get down and I lost my way but got back on track and reached the bottom in no time, I was treated by some locals with some “Bread fruit, Sambol & chicken meat” which was perfect at that moment because I was hungry too. They even gave me a bag of “Rambutans” before I left that place towards my next destination after thanking them for their hospitality. A local museum is currently under construction at this area, hope they will finish it soon!

When I returned back to Utuwan mawatha I took a Weganthalawa-Mawanella bus and got down at Kondeniya where I took a three-wheeler until I reached “Bo Ella” which is formed by the Maha Oya. The waterfall can be reached by many directions but to have a good look at the waterfall from the front you need to get to it from Yatimahana side. Unfortunately the water level was too much so I couldn’t cross the river to reach the other bank. Bo fall is about 6Km away from Mawanella & 2Km away from Kondeniya.

This waterfall is situated in the centre of Maha oya and it’s very unique. There are two waterfalls, the first one plunge in to the river and the water is trapped in a deep huge swimming pool type of section. Then it plunges from a small gap in the rocky damn to form the waterfall which expands and results in this unique waterfall. Please keep in mind that it is a very dangerous place to have a swim. After enjoying the waterfall I returned to mawanella by reaching the Mawanella-Rambukkana bus route and ended my mini adventure.

Waterfall above the Bo fall which falls in to a deep pool	Close up of the upper fall
got much closer	Top of the upper fall
The deep pool formed in the center of Maha Oya which exits at a small opening forming Bo Ella	Top of Bo Ella

The flow continues

Bo Ella seen from a side

Bo Ella

Maha Oya

Quote:
The 3m fall is served by a minor bo (Ficus religiosa) leaf-shaped stream (formed by the Ma Oya [river]) that begins in the Aranayake Rassawa Mountain, and also serves the Ahupini Falls. Before the Bo Falls the water flows through rocks to form two distinct streams and cascades into a large rock pool, where it exits through a 2m opening.

The fall is situated in the Kegalle District Mawanella Provincial Secretariat. Take the Mawanella – Yatimahana road, and the fall can be found 1km away from the bus stop. Alternatively, take the Mawanella – Rambukkana road for about 6km towards Mawanella, to Randiwela village. Turn left at Randiwella junction, and walk for 6km until the fall is reached.

We started our trip from Colombo at 4.30 am and we came puttulum at about 7 am and we visited wind mill developing site at Puttulum lagoon.

After that we started our journey again through Auradapura and we had our breakfast at beautiful place. We stay at Nuwarawewa rest house. It is reasonable and good accommodation option at Anuradapura.

Second day we went to Polonnaruwa through habarana.We stay at Girithale Hotel It is little bit Expensive but you couldn’t get that nature experience any were. At evening we visited Minneriya National Park with kapila’s Safari Jeep (I got this his contact through this forum).Third day we visited Polonnaruwa ruins and at at evening we went Sigiriya.

Puthulum Lagoon!

Giant Wind mills

Giant Wind mills

Our Breakfast Place at kaluwaragaswewa

Anuradapura Nuwarawewa rest house

we saw very rare snake At Anuradapura Habarana road

Polonnaruwa Girithale Hotel	Polonnaruwa Girithale Hotel
At Minneriya National Park	At Minneriya National Park
Elephant At minneriya	Elephant At minneriya
“THANI DALAYA” at the park . It has only one tusk	Fighting two elephant babies

With Kapila ( Safari Jeep Owner)

“GAL PALAMA” At polonnaruwa

“GAL PALAMA” At polonnaruwa

At Mihinthale	At Basawakkulama wewa
Polonnaruwa Ruins	Polonnaruwa Ruins

Sigiriya

Sigiriya	Sigiriya
Sigiriya	Sigiriya

Off road experience towards the Mini world’s

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). One was to Passara. The other route was to Cokagala estate where we were traveling to.

Buddhika was asking for directions at Janathapura village

The road was getting worse mile by mile. The jeep was driven slowly due to the bad road condition. The crew was more than enough to get tired the powerful jeep engine in such a high elevation. The area was surrounded by ranges of mountains covered with velvet of organic tea plantation. Though the shining sun was over our head, we did not feel any hot. The air was dry but cool.

One of a name board at Coc0galla estate

A Closer look at the name board

Having driven nearly an hour, we reached to a focal pint at Cokagala. It was a rocky mountain with a shape of a stork, the bird. In another view, it took a shape of the upper part of a popular politician (1950s) in Sri Lanka..

There were lot of tiny summer huts (might be build by the management of the tea estate) beside the road, to enable both villagers & travelers to have a rest while viewing the beauty of the countryside

Cokagala	There were lot of tiny summer huts
More information….	Another summer hut????........... may be a collecting point of tea leaves

There were two abysses at Cokagala. The nearest abyss was the deepest, and known as the Mini world’s ends at Cokagala. To reach there we had to drive nearly 300m off the main road and 100m walk. The abyss was not less than 1250ft in depth and located at the eastern wall of the mountain. Since that was the highest location in the eastern wall for many kilometers, there was a panoramic view of Eastern plain up to the sea. A semi circular Plaque was there, directing main locations viewed.

Information….	The semi circular Plaque at the Mini world’s end - Cocagala, directing main locations viewed (Click Image to Enlarge)
View through a thin layer of mist……..	Summer hut before the Mini world’s end

Towards next view point… The Mini world’s end junior

The second abyss was located at the next peak of the mountain. A small Dewalaya in the name of God Shiwa was there, at the beginning of the path. Much attractive panoramic view was there. We had not need to pay any attention on deadly wild buffaloes, because we were not able to see any of them except some dried cow done.

View at second abyss ( Mini (Junior) world’s end )

Wow… what a beautiful view – at the second abyss ( Mini (Junior)world’s end )