Day 1
We left Colombo early morning and reached ‘Back of Beyond – Dehi Gaha Ela’ (DGE) for lunch. I have no words to express how beautiful DGE is. I can only say that this is one of the best places on Earth to spend a holiday at.

This way please	The place to enjoy a hot & cold water bath in nature
What a place to stay	Dine in the open
Private	Relaxing

In the evening we went to Pidurangala and climbed the rock. It was a very interesting climb through rocks. The view from top was very beautiful. We could not spend a lot of time on Pidurangala as rain was on its way and it was getting dark.

Climb…. Rest…. Climb…. Rest…. Climb….	Restored…..Yet, something looks strange
Wow! Wow! Wow!	Rain, rain, go away…. Come again on another day…..

After dinner, Menaca & Menaka were surprised with a birthday cake courtesy of our very kind hosts.

Day 2
It rained in the morning and we couldn’t do much. So I spend most of the time playing with my new friends and also with the two puppies that were at DGE.

In the evening we went to Kaudulla National Park (NP) to see elephants. But, the elephants had gone somewhere else

We saw only one elephant, one deer, one owl, a few birds and one rabbit Anyway, I enjoyed the drive in the NP. Traveling in the back of Uncle Mithila’s pick-up was very interesting. The tracks inside the NP were full of dips too. So we had to be ready when the pickup went into the dips (not to lose our balance). While in it, suddenly somebody shouted “DUCK” and I looked to where the duck was but I didn’t see any Instantly, an aunt forced me to bend down. Only then did I realize that it was an order to ‘Duck’ to avoid being hit by branches of trees. (Thank you Aunty G.) From there onwards “DUCK,DUCK and DIP DIP” were” was the most interesting thing we did.

Elephant less landscape

Uncle LM loves his vehicle and driving it….. and I loved watching him drive

Day 3
We Climbed Nuwaragala Kanda. We went up to the base of the mountain in vehicles and ‘”DUCK, DUCK” continued all the way. The climb was not difficult. On our way to the top we saw ruins of an old palace. However, as in other places here too the treasure hunters have done a lot of damage. Once we reached the top we rested a while and returned.

Path through the almost dry ‘Kiri Oya’.

Ruins…… Destroyed….

Open space…… Where once was the Nuwaragala Wewa

Not so long ago….yet history…..

Randa Malli was in a lot of pain after being bitten by a ‘Venomous Ant’ and then he spotted this ‘Bag Worm’.

The Gemba! Randa Malli caught.

Day 4
We drove to China Bay (Trincomalee) and then to Passikudah (Batticalo). The three of us; children had never been on a ferry and our parents wanted to take us on them as very soon the ferries will be replaced by bridges. It was a nice experience. Ah! For half way through the journey we were escorted by two uncles from the Navy. They offered us things to eat too. A big thank you to all the uncles in the Navy for all the trouble taken look after us.

Long line of vehicles at the Upparu ……so, we crossed over the partly constructed bridge	High tide at the Gange forced us once again to go over the partly constructed bridge
Boots that accompanied us on the Rakkuli ferry	Careful

I saw the tallest ant hill I have ever seen during this trip. Once we crossed over there was nothing much to see along the road other than the last ferry on that road….. that was at Verugal.

Soon there will be a good road	A piduru firing mortar
Isso traps	Long than usual carts….. Long way to go
Ant hill? How come a bee stung me?	Old and the new

At Passikudah the beach was very crowded. So crowded that we could not even buy ice cream as everything was sold out! But, we found a place to our selves and had a superb sea bath.

Our own beach….. at least for that day

Huff and puff….yet a failed defence, (I did not see this fish…was busy playing in the water)

On our way back we saw a lot of elephants at Minneriya. They were every where. Even crossing the road.

Where were you yesterday?

Day 5
In the morning we walked around the jungles surrounding DGE. It was a very interesting walk. There were lots of things to see. Different kinds of plants, birds to listen to, streams to bathe in and rock boulders to climb over.

The holiday had to end. So, we left after breakfast and reached Colombo in the afternoon.

I must say that it was one of the best trips I have gone on. It was so nice to have met many uncles and aunts who are members of Lakdasun. It was really nice to have made friends with Randa, Anya & Maya. I did not have time to talk with Shanu. That’s for next time.

The uncles who work at DGE too were very friendly and the food they cooked was very tasty too. I can’t forget the cakes that Aunty NG and Aunty Manu brought. I did have more than my fair share.

Thank you very much Uncle Yohan and Aunty N for everything. I had a wonderful time. So did my parents.