Escapades in Sri Lanka

16th of March 2019, designed by a group called “Art of Travel,” my son and I embarked on a venture to conquer the sixth highest mountain of Sri Lanka as a part of a quest to fulfil our objective of achieving the task of climbing the ten highest mountains of this beautiful island that we so cherish to call home. Peaking at an elevation of 2212 meters “Great western” has nothing significantly or remotely related to any western film but situated amidst the tea plantations in Talawakelle named the Great-western tea estate rather perplexingly. One must take a left turn at the Talawakelle town to a point that has only a walking path to the GW railway station at the foothills of this mammoth massif. The access from the town consists of a 14 kilometres drive plus 1.5 kilometres walk to the station and is the last place to fill up on your non-elaborate essentials for the hike. A two-kilometre walk along the railway track took us to a methodically paved Kovil stairway on to our l...

“Cycling is a blissful diversion; one would realize its pleasures only through indulgence and not otherwise.”   The big fellow was a muscle builder not ridden for 12 years. Two more purchased their push-bikes the day before, and a few found rusting two-wheelers from some sort of refuge.   As confusing as it may sound, the four ladies and the five guys were gearing for a never before accomplished adventure in their lives. The bikers, from ages of 17 to 50 years, capitalized on an opportunity to cycle from Nuwara Eliya to Gampola on machines they were not too comfortable with. A new venture for this team.   At three in the morning on the 7th of August, expressing enthusiasm, the bikers left Colombo in a minibus to Nuwara Eliya whilst the bicycles were dispatched carefully stacked onto a lorry. On the way, breakfast heavy and yummy was at Pussellawa rest house and the presumable riders reached Nuwara Eliya at nine thirty. The weather chilly at 12 degrees Celsius, breez...

Driven and motivated to a commitment of fulfilling one of many ambitions and paranoia (I presume) drove her to commit the following crime. Not to society nor humankind but to herself, her own body, physique and mental status. Angelica De Silva bearing staff number C12407 or Angie to our cabin crew is considered to be a fitness fanatic. Her passion to complete fitness goals are in abundance and one of it was to run a marathon which was on her “bucket list” of sorts. In my opinion brave, rash; but obviously Awesome.   Randomly, she chose the Colombo marathon known as the “LSR (Lanka Sportreizen/  http://srilankamarathon.org ) Colombo marathon,” the national event recognized worldwide as the Sri Lankan leg of the global marathon events. A staggering 8500 runners including more than 300 foreigners from 46 countries representing all continents were at this 17th Edition of the series which was held on the 08th of October 2017. The route from the Ministry of Sports at ...

The numbers….. sixteen three wheelers called the “TUK TUK,” around 35 participants from seven countries, eight destinations, eleven days on an adventure to travel 1600 kilometers by driving on roads less traveled, and I had the pleasure of being an entrant along with my friends cum colleagues Lakshi and Chervon in a customized “TUK TUK” to portray our National and Sri Lankan Airline’s identity to the world. The idea generated by a movement called the “Large Minority,” partnered by the tourist board of Sri Lanka, Connaissance de Ceylan and SriLankan Airlines, the project was to showcase Sri Lanka in its own natural habitat and splendor. Not only by mingling with the local folk of normal life and lore, but also by travelling in one of its unique mode of transportation called the “Tuk Tuk.”  Aptly named “Lanka Challenge,” the planned route was from Tamarind Tree hotel Minuwangoda and on to Kalpitiya, Giant’s tank in Mannar; Jaffna via Pooneryn; Trincomalee through Para...

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...