We were enjoying hiking and trekking since 2011 after we entered the University of Colombo. This time we wanted to end the year (2016) with a novel experience. So we decided to camp on a beach and selected the amazing Kalpitiya (Kudawa) beach to fulfill our dream.

On 30^th of December just after a joyful Christmas we were ready and our bags were packed for the remarkable experience. We decided to take the Colombo commuter at 9.40am from Kochchikade as our transport method till Palavi. Pietersz was already on the train from Colombo. The train got late as usual and by 10.40am the train arrived Kochchikade (Ticket price Kochchikade to Palavi is Rs.80/=).

We got into the last seat of the last compartment of the train making our journey more pleasurable. It was astonishing to see how the environment change along the way, especially the ramsar conservation area around Anawilundawa was amazing.

Our bags in-front of Kochchikade railway station

Straight railway line

Rusted trains at Naththandiya

Bangadeniya railway station

4.00am Colombo commuter on the way back

Ready to go

Chilaw

Ramsar conservation area

We had our breakfast along the way on the train. The train reached Palavi around 1.00pm. There were few foreigners using the commuter, we had a quick chat with them and noticed that they are here for kite surfing and they’ve been using the train to come to Palavi regularly.

Reached Palavi (Pietersz | Thusitha | Muditha | Me)

As we initially planned, we decided to take the bus from Palavi to Kurichchanpitiya (Bus fare Rs.60/=). It was a 1 hour ride. In the bus there was a German couple who came to Srilanka on 30^th morning and has come directly to Kalpitiya which made us think the importance the tourists have given to Kalpitiya as a tourist destination.

From Kurichchanpitiya junction we purchased some necessities. (Water bottles/soft drinks/kerosene/etc.). From the junction we took 2 three-wheelers to Kudawa beach (Pol Kalla they call it). They had to go on an unpaved road and it was kind of a bumpy ride. (Rs.300/= per three-wheeler, we didn’t bargain!)

At the ‘pol kalla’ we had our lunch which was prepared by my mother. Pietersz’s mother’s chicken stew added more flavor to it.

After lunch our tummies were full and we were up and ready to go!!

Getting ready for lunch

Ready to walk

There were very few locals apart from the individuals involved in the tourist industry were there. But the amount of foreigners made us think whether we are in a foreign country.

The atmosphere was so amazing sunny & windy but not sweaty. Crows were struggling so hard to fly due to the strong wind. We walked along the sand route till we find our camp site.

.	Found a companion

A family harvesting mussels

Giant wind mills

4x4s rule the sand

Sky full of kites

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On watch

Kites & Sails

Colorful Sails

Tourism at its best

Kite surfing training schools

Local talent

Ice-cream vendor

Taking a short break

After about 3km walk along the sand route we entered a mangrove area which was like heaven on earth. This place was untouched. On one side it was the Indian Ocean and on the other side it was the Kalpitiya lagoon. The breeze was amazing. Without any second thought we decided to camp there.

The mangroves were arranged in a way suited perfectly to set the tent. Our tent was set facing the sea. We had a good sea bath after checking with the locals whether it’s safe to bath there.

For dinner we had chicken and sausages and garlic bread barbequed along with an instant chicken soup. We enjoyed the supper in the cool sea breeze along with the light and the warmth provided by our camp fire.

Setting up the tent

Our fly sheet is out kite 😉

Enjoying a cool Nescafé thanks to our ice box

The evening sky

Sea

Beauty

Peta playing with the grill 😛

starting camp fire

Camp fire

Our starter (Sweet corn chicken soup)

That feeling!!

Our dinner..Yummy!!

Around midnight lot of fish and small crabs used to come near the coast from the lagoon side. We caught few small crabs and the rest is history!

We went to sleep around 1.00am planning to wake up early morning to have another sea bath. The morning sky around 6.00am was mesmerizing. The locals had already started their day. We had a hot coffee in the morning and spent around 1 hour in the sea.

Good morning!

People at work

Local from the wadiya

coffee

Morning sun

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Sea bath

Local from the wadiya

After a good bath we packed our goods and bid farewell to this amazing location. We ensured only to leave out foot prints there and we left the place as we found it!

We got a tip from a local from the nearby wadiya that there is a boat service from ‘Thorei’ to Kalpitiiya. So we changed our plan and decided to use that route and started walking along the sand route to the other side.

Camp site

Leaving only our foot prints

Surrounding mangroves

Wadi

Inherited

Way to ‘Thorei’

Boat ride from Thorei to Muhathuwaram road.

From Thorei to Muhathuwaram road there is a boat service which charges Rs.40/= per head. From there we took a three-wheeler to Kalpitiya (Rs.150/= per three-wheeler).

From Kalpitiya we marked the end of our short but amazing camping adventure till next time!!

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

The End