Nuwara
Eliya is one of the prime locations of travelers. We had been there before but
this is my first blog about a trip to Nuwara Eliya. There were series of
requests from our loku duwa, Dulithi to go to Nuwara Eliya again, nothing but
to experience the mist. Not like in other times, trip was well planned but I
would say that February is not a good month to go there to feel the real Nuwara
Eliya.
Month
and Year – February 2015
Number
of Days – 2 days (21st and 22nd)
Crew
– Family
Accommodation
- Lake View Comfort Bungalow
Transport
– Car
Activities
– Waterfalls hunting, scenic, relaxing and bathing
Weather
– cloudy sky on the first day with few rainy drops. Second day was sunny
Route
– Ganemulla to Kandy (first visited “Temple of the tooth”) then Peradeniya, Gampola,
Pussellawa to Nuwara Eliya and then came back on Thalawakale, Hatton,
Ginigathhena, Karawannalla, Ruwanwella, Urapola, Yakkala then to Ganemulla.
Note
about routes – There are several routes to reach Nuwara Eliya, I would say all
of these roads are scenic, but I’m yet to explore the most picturesque road. Via
Mandaram Nuwara, Ulapane-Tawalantenna, Pussellawa-Tawalantenna-Pundalu Oya are
some of these. Gampola-Pussellawa road is convenient because road condition is good.
But shortest route is from Hatton, the one we came back.
As planned, we left home at 3.45 a:m: and was able to reach Kandy the “Temple of the tooth” at 6.15 a:m:. We offered Milk Rice,“Kiri Ahara Pujawa” to the relic tooth at the Temple of the Tooth. Then visited adjoined “Sri Natha Dewalaya” too.
We
had our breakfast in Gelioya, a place just before the town. Then again started
the journey, once you pass the Gampola, changing environment can be experienced
but real feel of hill country is exposed once reached to Pussellawa. There are
small joints (Kada) on the road in Pussellawa area, where we can have Rotti
with Katta Sambal, Sini Sambal and Hakuru (jaggery) together with Plan tea,
those were really testy and hot. Waterfalls are also been seen only from Pussellawa
onwards.
Delta
fall, which is the first on this route and it can be seen after 6kms from
Pussellawa. According to srilankawaterfalls.net, height of the fall is 60 meters.
Only lower cascade of the fall is seen from the road. Then there are two small
cascades near Hellbodde State, these are unknown. When reached to Ramboda
Tunnel, there is another fall just before the tunnel, which is Devathura Falls.
When it’s looked down from the Ramboda Tunnel, Geradi Ella can be seen in far. Then
the most famous Ramboda Falls, According to articles it consists of three
parts, only middle part is seen from the roadway. Once passed Ramboda Falls
Hotel (RFH) bend, Puna Falls can be seen little away but very clearly. This has
two falls, which was amazing. When turned to RFH side from the place you
watched Puna Falls, there is another fall, cascading down from a mountain, but
not clearly visible.
Once
reached to Labukale, another small cascade can be seen. A Strawberry shop, Adma
Agro is in Labukale is ideal to take a refreshment before enter into Nuwara
Eliya.
We
came to Nuwara Eliya little early, therefore decided to visit “Seetha Amman
Temple” in Seetha Eliya. According to the epic “Ramayanaya”, this place is
believed to be the place where Seetha was held captive. There were clergies,
where they provided evidently facts, related to the temple that took place in
Ramayana Epic. There is a mountain in-front of the temple, which is “Hakgala
Mountain” that perfectly looked like a “Primate”, according to the legendary
this mountain was chuck of the mountain brought by Monkey king Hanuman from
Himalaya. Further there are few holes,
exactly look like footprints in the water stream goes by the temple, and these
are believed to be footprints of Hanuman. Another small cascade identified
close to Seetha Amman Temple, which was by the road.
We
arrived our place, Lake View Comfort Bungalow at around 1 o’clock. It overlooks
Gregory Lake, Piduruthalagala Mountain range and Lovers’ Leap falls, which was
spectacular. Rooms are quite large and would be enough to accommodate a large
family. Rooms have timber floors and maintained well. Hot water is available
and bathroom was also in good condition.
Most
common places visited in Nuwara Eliya are Victoria Park and Lake Gregory. We
went to the Victoria Park little late in the afternoon. This is an urban park
and is looked like a mini version of Haggala Botanical Garden. Park has a
manicured lawn and well maintained flower beds. Colourful flowers and large
collection of plants can be seen in the park. Oak trees are quite commonly seen
and hill country birds are also visible in the park. Park comes to alive in
April session and vivid is much less in February. Loku Duwa and Chuti Duwa
enjoyed the park visit and played in small children’s park in one corner of the
park.
Then we went to Lake Gregory, a perfect place to enjoy the evening, according to a Trishaw driver, who friendly with us, Lake Gregory has been uplifted recently (somewhere 2013 & 14). People who want to enjoy a boat ride or horse ride are available in the Lake premises. We had dinner at a food stall in the Lake site. Foods are not so tasty but ok.
Next
day, we started early morning and planned to visit a Mini worlds-end in Sandathenna
called “Moons Plains”, which is in the edge of the government potato seed farm
in Seetha Eliya. We didn’t hear about this place before, seems latest
attraction in Nuwara Eliya.
Trishaw
man came little late, we all packed in the back sheet and was managed to reach
the place at around 8 o’clock. Personal vehicles are not allowed to drive in
the farm, authorize Sajari Jeeps are available to take visitors into the site.
Since it’s new to tourists, there was not much crowd. Once entered to the farm,
we went through a stretch that scenery was not unfolded before to us. Road
along is windy and landscaped seed fields gave a different atmosphere, It was
amazing and seems we were being brought to a different world. The Path to the
moons plain does not disturb the flora and fauna, we saw buffalos and few birds
on the way but not seen sambar deer. According to the Jeep driver, we should
come to place early in the morning or late afternoon to see more wildlife.
After
20 mins drive, we reached to the view point, this is the most elevated place
and a concrete structure is also built to capture the beauty around. I would
say the view is enchanting, around 360 degrees can be viewed from this place
and most of the mountain ranges are visible. Jeep driver showed us all by name
but now couldn’t remind any of them except Piduruthalagala. Mist swirled time
to time but not much as expected. Surrounding is quite silent, except often
calls of birds. Even-though we didn’t see sambar, we saw their footprints and
dungs around the place. Jeep driver showed us their footpaths into the jungle
as well, couldn’t imagine how they jumped so steep slopes. After spending
around one hour there, we returned back to visit Lover’s leap Waterfall.
Since
hotel was between Moons pain and Lover’s leap, we checked out from the hotel
before visit the waterfall. Trishaw driver brought us to a vegetable field and showed
us a strawberry farm near by the Lake Gregory.
Lover’s
leap, which was seen far from the hotel is located in Havaeliya. Waterfall can’t
be reached by vehicles. Even to go to the closest place, trishaw, four-wheel or
vehicle with enough ground clearance is required. From there another 200m
should be walked to the fall. The fall
is formed with a brook originated from the Piduruthalagala Mountain. Absolutely
amazing, felt the freshness from the Piduruthalagala, quite memorable.
By
spending ½ hour at the fall, we left to start the journey back to Ganemulla. As
I said we came back from Thalawakale-Hatton road. St. Clairs and Devon Falls
were observed from the main road, however everybody was in tired mode, and only
myself enjoyed two beauties.
There
was an issue in our vehicle, where it got boiled, therefore we came slowly. On
the way seen a small water stream, somewhere past Ginigathgena and had a bath. Refresh
ourselves and headed to home and managed to come home around 8 o’clock.