This is turning into a trip blog, rather than a photo one :) Who am I to break a trend? Trend breaking shortly, for now, the trip.
Background on the location:
"Set deep inside evergreen forests within a large tea plantation at the foot of the sacred mountain of Adam's Peak, Two simple log huts have been constructed in a secluded location overhanging the Butulu Oya. Originally built in 1932 by British planters, the huts were rebuilt by the estate in recent times to continue the tradition and allow others to enjoy the superb location."
CTO this time was Mr Ruwan Rajapakshe. Joining in was Nilu, Hiranya, Gamindu, Buddhika and Kusal. Yours truly decided to handle the driving, so I went along and picked up a 4wd Toyota Townace from Mal-Key Rent-a-Car. It certainly lived up to that Toyota rep for soft rides and no steering feel. :D But I suppose that’s a good thing when facing long distance driving. It did however, have a better turning circle than my car, of which I am insanely jealous. A freaking 4wd van having a better turning circle than a two door hatchback!
Anyway, Saturday Morning, all siddhalepa’ed and panadol’ed up (I was having some kinda weird muscle pain in my right side lower ribs), I left home at 7 to pick up the crew. I had told Ruwan that picking up Buddhi in 15 mins from his place was going to be stretching it, and I was right. It took about 45 mins to get to Buddhi’s :D Anyway, but the time we picked up everyone, and finished with some last minute shopping, it was well after 9. Anyhoo, we proceeded on up to Avissawella, (And the pee break at Avissawella Rest House cost 30 bucks per person!) and from there onto the Hatton Road. We passed Kitulgala Rest House around 11:30 and decided it was too early for lunch and proceeded on the Ginigathhena Road. At the Norton Bridge turn off, we decided to find a spot for lunch. This led to a 4km drive the wrong way to find a joint called the Tea Cup. I’m sure everyone who has taken the Thalawakelle road must be familiar with the enormous yellow tea cup signaling this spot. It’s a pretty pleasant stop, tho they didn’t have lunch, and we substituted on Chinese rolls and Patties. Picked up a nice shot of a Great Tit and a somewhat blurred sparrow while there.
Continuing on our merry way, over dams and bridges on twisty mountain roads, we finally got to the Moussakelle Reservoir. Beautiful area, but no photography allowed near the dam, due to security reasons. Well, we proceeded on along the reservoir banks, punctuated by stops for photos and cries of “Its beautiful” (and stuff to that effect) from the back of the van. Had to put my foot down after sometime (Literally, on the gas pedal) as it was getting late, and I didn’t fancy driving those unfamiliar roads in the dark. Good thing too, coz the last 10 or so km was pretty hard going! Also passed a lovely waterfall, which the board identified as Mohini Falls. The views were damn spectacular!
They really could improve on the signs leading upto the Fishing Hut, as the last bit was confusing. After puttering around a while in the car park, a couple of guys who work there came and said we should stop at the other car park and come down that way. After nearly going down the wrong path, we finally made our way what was to be home for the next couple of days.
Fishing Hut is a real back to basics kinda place. Fortunately they have somewhat modern toilets, since they tap into natural springs to get running water, but that’s the only modern convenience, but its damn cold! No electricity, so after dark activities only by petro-max lamps and Kerosene lamps.
We were all tired after the long journey, and it was rather rainy outside, we stayed put while the cook made us dinner. One thing, dude is a damn good cook! After dinner, we had a bit of a singing session, with Kusal and Buddhi taking turns on the guitar.
I was up unusually early the next morning, which I suspect was mostly coz I had trouble sleeping. Must have woken up a dozen times during the night. No idea why, except that I didn’t wear any socks when I first went to sleep. That was a bad move. Hopped out of bed as soon as I saw light coming in the window. It was actually later than I thought tho, coz the rain still lingered and made things fairly dark. Took a few pics while the rest of the party went through their routines. The water the cook heated for us to bathe was a godsend! :D I also got some pictures of a white-eye, none of which turned out well. Looks like a White-Eye, but its gray backed, whereas white-eyes tend to be yellowish-greenish. I’ve no idea what it is!
After breakfast, we went to town for some supplies and stuff. Lotsa photo stops along the way, but we got back sometime near two. The others went exploring while the cook made lunch, while I decided to stick by the hut, and take a few pics. The ladies decided they wanted river rocks and then eventually jumped in to the river too. Lunch happened after 3! This followed by a nap. I was tired from the driving and recovering from some kind of muscle strain, after all!
As darkness fell, the guitar was broken out again, and we had a small campfire. The fire started off inside, went outside, and was rained out around 10. The damn smoke kept following me around and made dinner a choked out experience! Back inside, we continued the singing session while the rain came down.
Late into the night, we had the infamous “Buddhi’s new yahoo profile pic” photo session, and shortly after that we broke up for the night.
The rain had really come down during the night, as evidenced by the river. The others decided to walk up the trail to Adams Peak, supposedly a two and a half hour hike from the spot. Not having rain gear, and not relishing the idea of walking in that oxygen starved atmosphere, I stayed back, and packed up for the trip back to Colombo and took a nice nap. It was nearly 1 when our intrepid explorers got back, and Kusal and Buddhi decided to test the waters since the water level had gone down again.
I was fairly keen to get away, since it was a long drive back, and surprisingly, we managed to get out of there by two. Inevitably, progress was slowed by more stopping for pics, but eventually we got back to Colombo in one piece. By the time I dropped everyone off and got home, it was after 9.
All in all a nice trip. Need a little more planning the next time, especially for walking, and evening activities. Take some cards and games of that sort. We were very unlucky about the weather, which was unusually rainy for that time of year. What to do? IMO, it’s a nice place to relax, and its supposed to be a great birding spot, tho we saw very little evidence of that. Maybe we should try it again when its dry, its certainly a nice spot to get away for a few days.
Monument erected in memory of Johannes Rodrigo. His brothers lie next to him. 4 of them, I believe.
Headstone on the grave of Johannes Rodrigo aka Maha Seeya, founder president of the Rodrigo Family Friend in Need Society.
Monument where the ashes of John Rodrigo, my great grandfather are interred. Also the ashes of Wilmot Rodrigo, my grandfather. Should also include my ashes, come time for me to go to my final rest.
Inscription on the monument to John Rodrigo and his wife.
Inscription in memory of my grandfather.
Grave of Patrick and Chitrangani Rodrigo.
Other monuments erected in memory of Rodrigos long gone from among us.
Rodrigos at the burial grounds, just after the sermon.
Just before leaving the burial grounds. Thats my mother on the left. My father in front of her, leaning over a little, next to Uncle Drupatha in the white shirt.
Meeting underway back at Naluruwa. Took this pic with my phone, hence the quality. The Head table, consisting of Devasiri Mama (Vice Pres) on the left, my father (also VP), Mala Nanda (Pres) and Sepalika Nanda (Sec).
