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My ever-loving St. Claire

“Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday Dear Sri de Lakdasun,
Happy Birthday to You…”

Clap, clap, clap…

-It’s been a year ever since Sri de Lakdasun was born and I wanted to celebrate his first birthday in an unforgettable way. He’s now beginning to stand on his own and even say a few words such as: Waterfall, Hike, Mountain, etc. It’s been so nice watching him grow bit by bit and learn things as the time goes on.

During the last year, he came across so many wonderful nature lovers and learned many things making his learning process speed up big time. So a very big “Thank You” should go to all the members who’ve helped him and given motivational and constructive feedback.

He’d have loved to send you each a piece of cake but it turned out nearly impossible so decided to give you all a treat for your eyes.-

Great Western – This Fairy Land on Earth can’t be a stranger to you, had you read my report “Soldiering onto Greater Hikes – Great Western”. During my first visit there, climbing her amid so many hardships, Harinda and I kept asking Morgan (Our reliable guide) what other options are there for us to see around GW.

He then pointed out Pundaluoya, Nanuoya, Ambewela, Pattipola and Talawakele where they harbor so many waterfalls. I started dreaming about them ever since. After our Balangoda journey, I was very keen to go see some more waterfalls coz Kalthota Doovili Ella and Diyawini Ella aroused my penchant for waterfalls.

Unfortunately Harinda timely decided to join forces with his new job and missed out. It left only Kumaraya and I decided to take him on board coz he really is a “Jolly Baduwak” (according to Tony). The incessant rains kept me worried all along coz didn’t wanna risk getting my plans washed out to downpours.

“Stop worrying Sri, you can’t do anything about the weather. But you certainly can do something about your trip and plans”. That’s my inner self trying hard to console me. Coz all I could do was playing the devil’s advocate.

Finally I decided to do it regardless of the weather and fixed the date for Sat 06 July. To make matters worse, the night mail was fully booked on the 5th night and I had to settle for the second best, which was 06th night making the exploration on 07 July. Bad sign and I could feel the pins and needles returning. However, Prince was confident that we could do it and as I’d always boasted, the rain had nearly always taken very kindly towards me. So the odds were looking pretty good but when I called Morgan he felt otherwise. He warned us to be ready for rain and getting wet which fell in deaf ears. I left for Fort station on 06th evening and Morgan suddenly called and said to bring an umbrella with us. I had to call Prince and get him bring one instead.

To our horror, the railway cafeteria was closed due to some tender issues and we were left with nothing to have for dinner but a packet of Hawaiian cookies and some water. As beggars can’t be choosers, we decided to have as much water as possible and try to kip down. The journey was uneventful except for “Kumarayage Agiya Katha” which is very familiar to our Moon Walkers. This time I was the prey coz there was no one for him to say all his stories and I had to listen to the modern version of “Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights”. I’m seriously beginning to wonder if he might be the reincarnation of that person who said all those stories.

Mercifully on and off he fell asleep leaving me enough time to dream about my pretty waterfalls. Around 2.00am Morgan got into the train (he was selling coffee for the night travelers) at Hatton.

We reached GW around 2.55am (about 10mins late. What an achievement for those battered engines and wagons) and left for Morgan’s house about 1km away from the station to wait till morning. His wife very kindly offered some hot tea and we drank gleefully and got our heads down for the remainder of the night.

Tour Highlights:

1. Short Rail Hike at GW
2. Dansinane and Sheen falls, Pundaluoya
3. St. Claire falls, Pathana, Talawakele
4. Devon falls, Talawakele

Morning brought showers and winds making it near impossible to get out of the house. The mist covered the GW Mountain completely and I knew we were in trouble.

Rail Hike at GW

However, after a cold bath, Morgan took us on a short rail hike towards the Mountain Trek in the rain till his wife prepared our breakfast. There were many tiny cascaded coming down from the GW Mountain due to the rain for the past one and half months.

The walk was not too bad as we had our umbrellas with us while Prince in his waterproof jacket was continuously on the lookout for leeches. GW Mountain was serenely looking down on us as if to recall our hike a while back. However she chose not to show herself (must be because Kumaraya was there) covering with her misty shawl.

To my amazement, we saw railway workers coming towards GW in an over flowing rail cart (Dakkuwa) even though it was a Sunday. We walked for about an hour before heading back to Morgan’s for breakfast. His wife served us hot, hot rice and curry with Coconut Sambol and gave us a pack of Roti and Luni Miris for lunch.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. There’s the Lady Great Western

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Back again less than 2 months

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Full blossom

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The rain keeps them alive

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Tiny cascade coming down GW mountain

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Main communication compartment along the railway

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Deadly slippery with oil mixed with water

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Not ready yet…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Bamboo gates still in place

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Lovely red…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. There comes the workers merrily

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. She cleared herself just enough for me to take a pic while Kumaraya was looking elsewhere

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Kumaraya and Morgan leading the way. (Can you see Kumaraya checking his leg for leeches)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. More cascades…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Gonna fix the track with more stones

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Unclipped for adjusting

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Good old “Dakkuwa”

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. That rope looks strong enough to pull a whole train

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dew flower

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Green everywhere… what a soothing effect on my eyes

Dansinane and Sheen falls, Pundaluoya

However, the rain spoiled my initial plan of doing a rail hike from GW to Watagoda. Instead we decided to take the Colombo bound train to Watagoda then take a bus to Pundaluoya. When we got off at Watagoda, there was a gang of kids who were very curious about my constant snapping at everything and I decided to take pic of them and put them out of their misery.

Morgan got them to stand and smile while I took a pic and had to show each and every one. They all were mesmerized to see themselves on my camera screen and made some unintelligible sounds. We saw Prince running to a nearby shop and coming with a tub of Siddhalepa for leeches. That fella is seriously suffering from Leechophobia. He was busily applying Siddhalepa everywhere even on his boots, I was trying my best not to laugh at him.

We caught a CTB bus and were on our way in no time. The road was curvy with hair pin bends and kept getting narrower making it very difficult for two vehicles to pass each other. One the left hand, it was about 300ft deep ravine while on the right hand it was the menacingly looking rocky wall. It’s a bit of an adventure full of anxious feelings as to what lays ahead.

We came across many seasonal cascades along the way but as usual the driver wouldn’t look at me knowing what’s in my head. I had to restraint myself to the seat not to get up and jump from the bus. Wish I could walk all the way there or had my own vehicle.

Having reached Pundaluoya, we started to walk on N’Eliya road as there were no buses. About 600-800m from the town, the road folks in two and there’s a sign board with an arrow pointing towards the road on the left which goes uphill and we too that. However I wanted to check with someone and he pointed the lower road and when we went down about 100m, there was a garage. To be doubly sure, we asked them and they pointed the upper road which we had taken initially according to the arrow. I was getting so worked up.

It started to rain cats and dogs, in between an elephant or two, and we soon sought shelter at a nearby hardware shop. From there we could see the top of the mountain and a tiny cascade (which turned out to be the very top of Sheen falls). When the rain stopped after about 20 mins we hurried uphill and soon saw twin falls falling either side parallel to each other. When inquired from a conductor of a Pundaluoya-Nuwaraeliya bus, he said the first fall (on your left hand side) is the Sheen falls and the other Dunsinane falls.

The view was breath taking from the road amid tea plantations and it was like a scene from heaven. There was no sign showing a path towards the falls even though you can clearly see them from the main road just like St. Claire from Hatton-Talawakele road. However, the rain and the mist kept it very difficult to get a clear pic so I decided to walk through the tea plantation towards the falls. This was about 1.5-2km from the junction when you meet a bridge. Just next to that on your left hand side the path is seen. The leeches started attacking us and Prince kept running and brushing like a Madman and it was hilarious to watch him like that.

I completely shut myself from outside distractions, completely concentrating on the waterfalls and taking some good shots. Leeches troubled me less and I went about 200m towards the river which flows at the end of the tea plantation. Then it was time to run back onto the safety of the tarred road. When we reached the road, couple of villagers was passing by and they said there’s the actual path lies further up next to another bridge. They also warned the path is infested with hundreds of leeches and Prince wouldn’t hear any of my appeals to venture into that one.

There were no buses to get back to the town so we thought of walking further up and getting more pic opportunities, but rain kept pelting down on us like stones on a roofing sheet. We came to a shed where there’s a cemetery and the hut is used to keep the coffin till the religious ceremonies are over. We had no choice but to wait there to stay away from rain and adjoining it was a hut where they bring and weigh the tea leaves but the roof was leaking like a sieve.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. There she comes

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Off at Watagoda

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I can’t leave them alone

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. She dropped us off and heading to Colombo…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The bunch of kids who wanted to pose for a pic

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. He wasn’t crossing the road along yellow stripes, but playing with me

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Junction where the road folks into two….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The board just before the bridge where we took our own foot path

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Walking through the paradise

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. My eyes were smiling

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Morgan pointing towards the foot path

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Mist stubbornly hung there

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. On the left – Dunsinane; on the right – Sheen

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. We jumped into the estate and the bridge is barely seen

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Walking through the tea brushing leeches

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Wanted to see more water though

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. She is the more beautiful one

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Falling about 100m apart

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Would’ve been better if we could get closer

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Silky smooth

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Not a lot of water

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. You can’t imagine the commotion behind me Prince was making

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The tea collection place

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Endless greenery

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The cemetery which sheltered us from the rain

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ghost???

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. This is way into the top of the mountain and can you see the house on the bottom right hand corner? Wonder how they carried all the stuff

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A housing scheme

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Train captured on our way to Talawakele

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Reddish love

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Whitey

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pinky

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Unusual one

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Kotagala station (I was down and sad coz we couldn’t see St. Claire and Devon)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Signal room… Entering is prohibited but for a pic, no problem

Fortunately, there was a tuk-tuk with one fellow in it but the driver agreed to drop us at the town and took only 50/- coz he hardly had to use petrol coz of the downhill journey. Morgan kept referring to it as “Govt Gear” which costs you nothing. Back at the town around 12.30pm, there were no buses to Talawakele and we had to wait 1 hour for a bus and it stayed there another 45mins before leaving wasting nearly two precious hours of our exploring time. Yuck, yuck, yucky…

When we were nearing the Talawakele town, I suddenly saw a huge waterfall gushing many million gallons of water and Morgan said it was the Devon Falls. Oh my goodness, so much water and I felt very happy inside knowing she was our next destination. It took forever to reach the town and I kept craning out of the window to get a better view of her.

Having reached the town around 3.30pm, we got into a Hatton bus in the hope of getting down at Pathana where Devon falls is located. We hardly started our journey when the mother of all rains came crashing down and I felt as if all hell broke loose. It was raining so hard and you couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of you and the construction work on the Hatton-Nanu Oya road kept us at a touch better than a Snail’s speed. Yucky, yucky, yucky….

As we were passing St. Claire, I saw this huge lady, almost bursting at the seams (there were two sluice gates open from the upper Kotmale dam – damn it) flowing so beautifully and I felt like jumping out of the bus. The rain kept me well inside the bus and made it very difficult to see her any more. The whole area got darker by the minute and when we reached around Devon Falls, there was nothing but thick, inky black mist and torrential rain. I had to make up my mind coz the rain wasn’t about to stop and we decided to go up to Kotagala and get into the train so that we could go to Morgan’s by 07.00pm.

The train journey was so miserable as I was crying inside coz I couldn’t see my beloved St. Claire up close. Gosh, everything looked so dark and without nothing to look forward. Prince kept consoling my saying that we could always come back later but I was so disappointed. This was meant to be some unforgettable journey coz I was celebrating my one-year anniversary of joining Lakdasun and it all seemed far away. On the way from Watagoda, I saw my beloved St. Claire again, the rains had eased somewhat and she was smiling up at me beckoning but I was so helpless. I managed to shoot a short video which I don’t think in super quality but towards the end of its 30 seconds, you can see St. Claire at full flow.

We reached Morgan’s house around 07.00pm and after a quick icy cold wash, tried to catch on some sleep coz we had the train at 10.30pm from GW. I heard Morgan making a call to check if the train is getting late (coz he’s selling coffee at the night mail) and I heard him saying “Cancelled”.

“What’s cancelled” – I shouted from under the covers.
“The railway is on strike so no night mail” – replied Morgan.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This was crazy coz I had a very important training on Mon morning and had to be back in office by 9.30am.

The news confirmed the strike and we could do nothing but have dinner and sleep till morning. But my mind was in overdrive making plans.
“Has St. Claire had a hand in the whole thing so that we could meet up the following day?” – I was hopeful again. I felt like a boy who’s just lost the chance to meet his girlfriend but given another opportunity.

“Hurraahhhhhhhhh, St. Claire, I’m coming to see you tomorrow and you better clear those skies of rain like you managed to get the railway out of action, making me stranded”.
Little did I know that she actually understood what I had in my mind?

Walking up to Talawakele through GW Estate

We got up in the morning around 07.00am (I had to practically kick Prince to wake him up) and the sky was a horrible affair.

“Rain, rain go away – come again another day
Little Sri wants to play”

I was reinventing the poems and tried to remain cheerful about the prospect of what laid ahead. We washed and had breakfast and waited and waited impatiently for the skies to clear. By 10.00am I had had enough and decided to go no matter what happened. Having bid our farewell to Morgan’s wife and his two sons (Kishan – 3yrs and Nirojan – 9yrs) left for Talawakele in heavy rains.

We had to walk a long way coz there was no way of getting a tuk-tuk or any other way to get to the town. It took us nearly an hour to reach the Talawakele town and the rain had eased and we got into a bus and took tickets for St. Claire.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Morgan and his little playful son Kishan

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Gas Thakkali (Tomato grown on trees)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Can’t agree more… they are using organic stuff most of the places

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The birds and animals can be seen at GW – Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The road is muddy and badly in need of repair

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Can’t make up my mind to leave just yet

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I’m also promoting these kinda work… they’re collecting organic waste in an eco-friendly way

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Tea… so many different kinds are there

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Would’ve loved to spend a few days at the house in the middle

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. She simply won’t let me go

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Flowery things kept me busy

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. They certainly have realized the importance of getting rid of those pesticides and chemicals

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ready to have juicy guava breakfast

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Standing tall

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Flowers in full bloom

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Carpeted with tea

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. GW tea factory

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Not really sure what this is or even it’s in use now… nobody was around to ask

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Rain or shine, they gotta work if they wanna feed their families…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Can’t resist snapping

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ready for collection

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Must’ve gone for a cuppa tea

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Hmmmm…. interesting…. but they’ve been abandoned due to rain

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. No life or honey left

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pretty close….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Can you see any difference?

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. This is Black tea….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. That is the Holy rood estate

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Up close

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Was too far away for me to reach… there was no stone or stick nearby either

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Damn dam which nearly strangled and killed my St. Claire

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I hate this so much

St. Claire falls, Talawakele

We reached the first viewing area and I jumped from the bus closely followed by Morgan and Prince and whoooooaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was horror stricken. Despite so much rain, those wicked people had decided to close the sluice gates of the dam and she was nothing but a small trickle coming down along the rock wall. There was hardly one fifth of what she was yesterday and my heart sank.

But she kept the skies clear and we started our descent towards her downhill. Kumaraya was very reluctant but had to follow us and kept running and checking and running again as if million ghosts are after his blood.

She was looking very lovable and I felt like hugging her. Gosh I wish they had kept the gates open for another few hours. Unfortunately she couldn’t control the minds of those wicked people but the nature which kept rains away from us.

After about 200m downhill, we could go no further and after about half an hour later decided to double back and hit the road for Devon Falls. Once back on the road there was this platform which is nearly finished but apparently not open for public as yet. Couple of pics later, we got into the bus, still removing leeches from my socks and got off at the Devon viewing platform.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Hi Sweet Heart…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Getting closer

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. More closer

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Kissable distance

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. What to do? Those evil people nearly made you dried up

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Yesterday she was jumping clean over these rocks

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The base pool looks muddy

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. To the right

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Could see no rock on our way back yesterday

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Up and down together

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. My signature

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Time to go…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. In camera effects

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Miniature

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Camera doing its own artwork

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Surrounding mountains

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The viewing platform nearly finished

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Morgan and I

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I can’t leave her…

Devon Falls, Pathana, Thalawakele

There was this old uncle who’s drawing pics mainly of Devon and St. Claire and sell to tourists. (1000/- for foreigners and 500/- for locals). Unfortunately couldn’t catch his name but he’s been there for the past 8 years making a living out of those two playful girls. Wow… that’s all I could think of coz she was overflowing like a young lady playing without a care in the world. So pretty and cute.

Just opposite was the very famous and popular St. Claire tea shop which sells some exotic tea to tourists, especially foreigners. It as a very intimate place for a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate cake (Plain tea – 40/-; milk tea – 65/-; choco cake – 75/-, etc.)

Having had our brew, we asked those nice ladies (real ones not waterfalls, don’t misunderstand) to show us some very rare kinds of tea. She showed us Golden tea, Silver tea and Lemon tea which all costs at the range of 30,000/- to 40,000/- per 1kg. They even let us smell it and the aroma was reviving. Having said our thanks to them we came back and rain welcomed us with in style.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Opposite Devon falls platform

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Thought of warming our bodies with hot cuppa

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Artist who’s been there 8 years at work even amid heavy rains so that he can look after his family

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. His version of St. Claire

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Devon is also on his canvas

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Hmmm… Tasty looking

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Hope you can read it – Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Old weighing machine

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Only on display now

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Click Image to Enlarge

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Premiere collection of tea… very expensive

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. From top left via bottom to the top right: Golden Tea, Silver Tea, and Lemon Tea

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Got a big collection for a range of prices

Morgan said not to stop but to keep walking towards the Kovil where you can get down to take a very closer look of Devon.

Go further towards Hatton about 1.5-2km passing Mlesna Tea Castle which you can’t miss and passing that for another 400m you come across the Kovil on your right hand side just before the road folks into two (downhill towards Nawalapitiya and the left uphill towards Hatton). Enter through the Kovil and there are steps built and you have to walk about 800m to the Kovil and viewing platform.

On the way we came across many monkeys, most notable one was the monkey family sitting on the barrier with their kids cuddling onto them waiting for someone to give some food. It was very warming to see how the parents (human or animal) look after their kids with so much care and love.

They’d built concrete steps right up to the Kovil at the platform. It’s made getting there about 600-800m fairly easy. You should’ve seen Prince’s face, smiling from left year to right year. I was very thankful for anyone who built the Kovil there as it has kept all these money-greedy environmental-destroyers away. May long that tradition continue keeping that Waterfall and the surrounding mountains safe.

The view was breath taking and unlike St. Claire, this girlie was in full flow making a huge roar as if to welcome us into her domain. She looked as if a thick silk Saree flowing effortlessly. You gotta see her with your own eyes coz no matter however much I try to describe the beauty of the situation, it won’t anything be like seeing it with your own eyes and getting the feel of the place.

I managed to get a couple of videos of her which are given below. Video 1, Video 2

I felt all my worries vanish into thin air and silently thanked the railway people for striking and Mother Nature for giving us clear skies just about to see my gorgeous angels.
So the tables were turned and I was in a real happy mood feeling like ten feet tall. So my first ever anniversary really was a memorable one.

After that we left for Hatton and took a bus to Avissawella as Colombo ones were a bit late. Surprisingly, you can see so many cascades from Hatton to Ginigathhena on your right hand side coming down with so much water. I made a mental note to explore that area in the near future. Most of them I guess are just the seasonal ones active only in heavy rainy season.

So folks, that’s the end of my fairy tale. I was virtually spirited away by my beloved St. Claire to a fairy land.
I do hope you enjoyed reading and the pics were a treat for your eyes.
Thank you everyone for your feedback so far and hopefully this one-year old infant will grow into a healthy and stronger fella.

Take care….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Oops… what a contrast compared to nearly dried up St. Claire

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Closer

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Touchable

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Glamorous

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The rain and mist blocked our view

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Walking towards the Kovil along Hatton road

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. She kept popping on and off

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The trees tried to hide her from prying eyes

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Can’t get enough of her

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The monkey family…. noticed the spiky hair like a Football star

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The monkey gang and can you see the leader in the middle with a stern look

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Getting closer to the Kovil but waited here and there to grab all the pics possible

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Prince was a good photographer too

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The water was fiercely coming down

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. It was hitting at a ferocious pace

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Land Mark – Mlesna Tea Castle

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Some more to go

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. This is next to the “SriPada Academy” about 200m before the Kovil Entrance

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Kovil finally….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Morgan showing the entrance with his umbrella

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Thankfully they had built those steps…. Prince was smiling coz no leech attacks

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The path is seen clearly

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The first glance

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Looks like a mushroom… but not sure

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Funny thing… looks like the bottom rock is keeping the top one in place

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Oh ho…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Trying to pierce the tree cover

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Mountains far away… all nice and lush green

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Picturesque

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The full version with the bottom is also visible

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Morgan doing the rituals…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pano 1

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pano 2

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pano 3

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Artistic impression by my camera…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Tiny structure visible at the bottom right hand corner… there are steps to it about 10m away

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The bottom pool

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The top zoomed in

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The middle where the fall separates into two

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Coming downwards

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Kovil is built under this tree in a cave

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Parting glance….. gonna miss you big time

It has been few days after we met at Cargills, I received a call from Sujeewa with an invitation for a trip to Wilpattu National Park on the following weekend which I could not resist. There was an uncertainty in my mind about the trip due to the weather condition when I receive second confirmation call from him just two days before the event. I didn’t want to make a fuss about the weather, so everything was arranged and scheduled to start on Friday night.

It was around 12.45 AM, when Sujeewa, Harsha and Pujitha came to my place. We started again just after everything loaded. Our last crew member Aravinda was waiting for us in Chilaw. Wind was heavy and sometimes it rained a lot though we had no clue what was going on. We reached Aravindas’ place with minor difficulties on the road (Few trees were fallen in to the Negombo road). When we got down at Aravindas place, we noticed the strength of the blowing wind. Even undergrowth was bent due to the strong wind. After enjoying refreshment from Aravindas’ place got everything packed and back on the road to Wilpattu.

We have reached Senevis – Our good old jeep owner – place around 5:30 AM as expected. After shifting load from Car to Jeep, it was time to start safari with a drizzle surrounding us. Soon it started to rain and the disappointment was all over our faces though the spirit was still holding on. We had to spend almost 45 minutes in front of the park office to get a tracker. It was Mr. Jayawardana, an old fellow which bought us kind of more disappointment due to bad experience we had before with old chaps. However, a moment later we managed to start our journey and were heading toward the park entrance.

First wildlife sighting was a Barking Deer which are commonly seen in the first scratch of the park entrance. They are very shy and quick. There was no trace of it before I could put my hand on the camera.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A Gray Heron looking for breakfast

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Roads inside Wilpattu National Park

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. An Emerald Dove

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Indian Pond Heron

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Malabar Hornbills (male & female)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. They have left only footprints

We had to come to the resting place of the park which is Kumbuk Wila, to have our breakfast without many sightings. Effort to keep the place clean by the Friends of Wilpattu seems working; the place was much cleaner than before. I m sorry I could not take any photographs of the place to share with you all.

It was just before finishing out breakfast with Pujithas’ genuine fish Abul Thiyal, we received an information about a sighting at Kuruttupandi. Our tracker wanted to give it a try so we got back in to the jeep. There were no signs of wildlife when we first got there but the keen eye of Senevi has spotted a leopard on the far side bank. Shortly it has disappeared in to the forest.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Leopard on the far side bank of the Kuruttupandi Villu

We decided to cycle around the place hoping it will come to the road & we were lucky!

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. It was coming straight at us

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Watchful

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Eye to eye

It went pass us and went in to the wood so that we went toward Panikkar Villu. Panikkar Villu was making glorious landscapes with Kokmota and the purple flower – which I don’t know the name – bloomed. I always wanted to shoot something in between them. Lucky one was a Black Headed Ibis.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Black headed Ibis

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Black Headed Ibis

It was getting late and started to rain again so we decided to go to the camp site and prepare lunch. It was around three in the evening when we started our second session of the day after a delicious lunch prepared mainly by Aravinda with our side supports.

For the third time of the day we saw the same leopard few yards away from the place we saw it in the morning. This time it was inside the forest patch. We spent long time with it and fed up.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cat eyes

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Eyes on the lookout

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Up or down

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Blend with the nature

It was time to head back to the camp site. On our way back we saw our fourth leopard sighting of the day.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. No it isn’t the leopard

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Here I am… Catch me if you can..

It was a chilly night at the camp. We gathered around a camp fire for the dinner and had a long chat together. Mr. Jayawardhana shared his experience with us and how those old rangers work hard to keep wildlife parks in the state we see them today. Finally leaving all our disappointments, he has become a great assert to our trip and who is a walking library about Wilpattu National Park. There was no road he hasn’t been on the foot in Wilpattu.

We were supposed to wake up at five in the morning to prepare Kiribath for the breakfast. Busy morning schedule kept us at the camp site longer than we expected. Finally we managed to pack Kiribath and Lunumiris and started morning session around 6.30. The leopard which we saw previous evening was at the same place again.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Would you like to play..?

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Who cares for them

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Bye byee photo maniacs

Not far from the leopard sight we saw this peafowl making beautiful scenery on a villu ground.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Attractive… (Indian Peafowl)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I love those backgrounds (Indian Peafowl)

We have seen few Kingfishers at Nelumvila, I was only interested of capturing the Common Kingfisher. There were few Wooly necked Storks, who made no interest in my mind. However, on the way to Panikkar Vllu we saw a lizard that I haven’t seen before (Thanks to Vattern photographer Mr. Keerthi who has spotted and photographing it).

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The common but not so common (Common Kingfisher)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I m not a lizard expert. Can someone help us here?

There was nothing much in Panikkar Villu or Thalawila area. The bird life was significantly low. On the way back to the camp site we saw three jackals, only two were captured.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Jackals

At the camp site, while others were busy in preparing lunch I escaped to look around to find some macros.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Restless Demon

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A beautiful flower much like Bovitiya

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Oriental Scarlet

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A Monkey Puzzle after a long time

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Blue Sprite

After having noodles for the lunch, we cleaned up the camp site and packed everything back to the jeep. From the start of our evening it was giving us opportunities. Not many but more than enough. There was a Hawk Eagle flying among trees with a pray and a Brown Fish Owl.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A Hawk Eagle with its pray (looks like a Junglefowl)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Brown Fish Owl

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Brown Fish Owl (remind me a sense from the Legend of the Guardians)

We were following a Sea Eagle when we came across the final leopard of the day at Kudapathessa. We spent almost the whole evening with him.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Finally you guys came to see me

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I m busy though

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I can spend some time performing to you

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Drink or not..

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Shows over, get out now

Finally we decided to leave the leopard alone and try to find a bear around Maradamaduwa. There were no bear sightings but this proud looking Serpent Eagle was on a try by the road.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Serpent Eagle

Just before we reached the main gate, two huge elephants were come from the wood and they were blocking our path. They spent about 45 minutes blocking our way out. It was around 7 PM when they left the road in to the wood so that we could get out of the park.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Road Block

We thanked our tracker and the safari jeep owner and left Wilpattu with lot of exiting memories.

Thanks for reading.

About 2 weeks ago my friend Yasa invited me to join for a trip to Lunugamvehera NP as he has planned a trip to go with some of his relations and friend from 5th July till 7th July.

Usually when Yasa invites me for these kinds of trips, I somehow managed to join him keeping aside all my busy schedules.

Since he was planning to leave Colombo bit early, he asked me and one of our friend to stay overnight at his place.We started our journey from Palawatta, Battaramulla at about 4.30 in the morning on Friday the 5th The crew was three on his KIA Sorento (me, Yasa and our good old pal Upali) and his brother (Lakshman) joined us at the Kottawa Express-way entrance on his Toyota Hilux 4WD with 2 of our friends (Prasanna & Romesh) and uncle Yasa mama. Both vehicles were packed with rations and goods for two night stay.

We arrived in Kolombageara around 8.00 am and had a good breakfast and drove straight to Tanamalvilla via Udawalawa. On our way we did some shopping for Veggies and fruits from the road-side shops.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Yum…..yum…….. Breakfast (String hoppers, Bread, fish curry, dhal, pollsambol & potato curry)

Around 10.00am we reached Tanamalvilla junction and had to ask directions to the park from few guys as it was our first trip to Lunugamvehera NP and no one knew how to get to the park office.

We came to the park office within very short time since it was an about 1Km towards Lunugamvehera from Tanamalvilla town.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Map of Lunugamvehera National Park. (Veheragala Bungalow inside the red circle)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Kalu Paalama on Kirindi oya at the Entrance

The Veheragala bungalow is built on the bunt of Veheragala Reservoir and is very closed to the east boundary of the park and Sella-Katharagama so our tracker Dinesh suggest us that he will take us through another road to go to the bungalow without crossing the “Kalu Paalama” as that road has not been used for quite some time. So we had to travel about 6Km towards Wellavaya on the main road to enter to this road. (This road was the earlier access road to Wild Elephant Re-habilitation area).

It was about 18 -20 Km’s from the turn-off on Tanamalvilla – Wellawaya main road to the Veheragala Bungalow through this road and was going by the side of the main canal from Veheragala Tank to Lunugamvehera Tank.

It took almost 2 hours to cover this stretch.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Veheragala Bungalow

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Tank & bunt…….. From the bungalow (building on the right is the work office and quarters of the Reservoir maintenance staff of Dept. of Irrigation)

Since it was mid day we didn’t see much of animals on our way to the bungalow. Around 1.30pm we reached the bungalow and had to change our meal plan from Rice & Curry to Bread and Chicken Curry taken from Colombo (cooked and deep-freeze) as we couldn’t wait till rice gets cooked.

There was a heavy breeze from the tank side and after lunch most of the guys took a quick nap till around 3.30pm for our 1st park round.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

At around 3.30pm we set out for our 1st park round and drove along the same canal road as there are only few roads within the park. There we saw many White bellied sea eagles, Serpent eagles, Hawk and Crested Hawk eagles.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Changeable Hawk Eagle

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Serpent Eagle

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. White bellied Sea Eagle

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Also there were lots of water birds too……

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

We saw few lone elephants but they were very scared of vehicles and people and no sooner they see us runs to the tick jungle.

We reached the Bungalow at around 6.30pm and had a quick dip in the canal and had some bottled refreshments and had a chit-chat till the dinner was ready.

I got up bit early the next day to ask the bungalow keeper to make some tea before the morning round and saw a lone bull elephant just loafing around on the bunt right in front of the bungalow.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

I quickly woke-up the rest of the guys to show the elephant since it was the only elephant we saw and was not scared to people.

There we took some good shots of the sun-rise.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

After morning tea we set out for the morning round and started from the bunt side towards Veheragala ruins

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Same bull elephant from the bottom of the bunt

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Veheragala Sthupa…..

We reached the bungalow at around 9.30 am and had breakfast and had a chit-chat till lunch and few of us went towards the spill-way which joins Manik ganga looking for good photo opportunities.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Mini water fall and erosion on the spill-way

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A serpent eagle waiting patiently……..

As part of our crowd (Lakshman, Yasa mama and Romesh) was leaving to Colombo the same afternoon we start our evening round bit early since we had to come to the main entrance to drop them off.

On our way to the main entrance, we saw this beautiful fishing owl and some other birds of pray

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

After saying goodbye to our friends we drove back to the bungalow for our last night and saw the first herd of elephants. There was about 12-15 elephants with a newly born. But couldn’t capture a clear shot as it was bit dark and didn’t want to use flash.

Some of the photographs taken during the trip

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Painted Stork planning for the night

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Veheragala Reservoir from the Bungalow

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Oh……… deer

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Malabar pied Hornbill…….. Night park……

The night passed with a pack of cards and some refreshments and since it was our last night the four of us had a long chit-chat till bit late in the night.

The next day morning round was our last leg of the trip and did a quick round and left the park around 9.30 am and reached Colombo 2.00 pm after stopping for tea and lunch.

Thank you for reading

Last year, my friend from Australia compelled us to run through Trincomalee on a rush trip with his family. My trip report too was equally a rushed one!!!

This time he came alone and suddenly demanded a trip to Kalpitiya, just to enjoy the bio diversity!!!!. I had time only to arrange an approval from Sri Lankan Navy to visit the Dutch Fort.

We started around 4.00 am from Maharagama. It was raining cats and dogs and motoring was virtually difficult.

By the time we reached the extended arm of the island, it was morning and the weather was not that promising. However we were able to go to coal power plant of Norochcholei and got down in front.

The area is scattered with wind power generators which is a very pleasant scenery for any green person, especially in the vicinity of a coal plant.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. WIND MILLS

However the giant(Coal power plant) was sleeping when we were there. No activities at all. A friendly navy person with a high sense of humor commented “ It is always sleeping and once in a while gets up to send out smokes to say it is still alive”.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. SLEEPING GIANT OF NOROCHCHOLE

With the approval of Navy, we stayed half an hour in the beach and proceeded to our next destination.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. BEACH NEAR POWER PLANT

PART 2

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. AGRICULTURE IN PROGRESS

St. Anne’s Church of Thalawila itself is a one day trip. However by the time we reached it, the rain was pelting and we could not even get down from the car. We stayed in the car for some time and no sooner the rain stopped for a short spell, visited the place in a rush.

Following is extracted from internet about the church.

“The Thalawila church has a long history and once account says that a European Trader travelling in a ship dedicated to St. Anne, was shipwrecked off the coast of Thalawila in the 18th century and found the church following success in business after placing a vow at this place. The other account says that in the 17th century a Portuguese man travelling from Mannar to Colombo slept at a tree in Thalawila and dreamt seeing St. Anne’s statue at the foot of tree, and when he awoke from the dream the statue was physically there as he dreamt.”

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. THALAWILA CHURCH

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .