Escapades in Sri Lanka

Every establishment needs good employees. All individuals require a committed confidante. Every household needs a watch-person and every family needs a guardian. They could be your parents, grandparents, a relative or just any other person that one might be comfortable to be taken care by…. In short, a Caretaker. In a different context and in relation to the industry of hospitality, he or she is akin to a custodian for a specified period. This custodian, in this narration, transforms into all the above as a caretaker at this place that one might be inclined to call, a peaceful holiday bungalow in the hills of Sri Lanka. His name is Janaka. Janaka, a prematurely retired Special forces guy from the Sri Lankan Army, has taken it upon himself to enhance his army training, quite boldly, towards the hospitality industry by undertaking a holiday home in the hills of his hometown named Moragolla, in the district of Kandy, at a place called the “ATT’s Eagles nest.” His Missi...

Fifteen kilometers from the bustling city of Kandy, the village of Moragolla lies along a winding, ascending road that leads to Galaha via Ampitiya and Thalathuoya, offering a scenic journey through Sri Lanka’s countryside. In the spirit of adventure and discovery, my wife, two sons, daughter, and I ventured to this tranquil village, staying in a charming, well-equipped cottage far removed from the rush of daily life. The transition was remarkable—slowly shifting from the chaos of city life to the serene, untouched beauty of the mountains. The change was not only in the landscape but also in the relaxed, yet vibrant attitudes of the locals, making it a truly refreshing experience. On our second day, feeling refreshed from the peaceful start, we decided to hike up to "Muthukeliya Wewa," a serene lake nestled in the mountains. This region, once known for its pristine, manicured tea estates, has now evolved into a landscape of thriving farms and expansive, wild green f...

One never encounters its true beauty.   In retrospect, it is known to be the misty village on the slopes of Piduruthalagala and therefore, seclusion from the regular traveller.   The trip, limited to two guys, in an ancient SUV on a bright August morning. The sun was blissfully shinning, blessing us to enjoy the journey despite the forecast of constant misty rains at our destination. Setting towards Kandy before sunrise, diverting from Peradeniya to Galaha, Rikillagaskada and turning right towards Nuwara Eliya was an absolutely pleasurable drive. To one’s left far away were the Knuckles Mountains and then the forests of the Loolecondera tea estate with the Piduruthalagala mountain range to the right. A four-hour drive with breakfast at a thosai kade (eatery) in Galaha and another one and a half hour drive to the village of Mandaramnuwara were filled with exhilaration coupled with adventurous mindsets. Our route to Nuwara Eliya was known to be used by bullock cart...