Dusty Minneriya and the elephants.

 

    Northcentral province in Srilanka is a dry and dusty zone. But there are popular national parks. Because dry zone's forests are wildlife sanctuaries.  

    Our destination was 'Minneriya national park. It's popular because of the elephants. 

    Our journey started in the evening. A jeep came to pick up us. 

    

Jeep driver has driven speedy on the well-maintained road to enter the minneriya park. 

'Minneriya national park' opens on 12 August 1997. But it's named a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. Because of the minneriya tank, many animals lived in that area. So officials decided to designate that area as a sanctuary. 

This tank is built by 'king Mahasen' in the third century AD. Nowadays people who live there worship the king Mahasen as a god. 

We entered the park and the jeep's speed reduce. 

'Rain not even touch here for months." Driver said. 

Browny color dried trees and dusty roads were explained to us. 

But still, small streams go through the forest. 

''When the rain started we can't drive like this. Because at that time this stream became a river.''

The driver said while driving on the stream. When we passed the stream we have to climb the mountain. 

He took the jeep upper suddenly. We were like tamboo trees. 

We were not able to see many animals until we arrived near the tank. Elephants. Elephants. Elephants. All around we can only see elephants and safari jeeps too. 

Many locals and foreigners watch elephants from the road. There were phrases in Srilanka 'Bali baliilai

ali ballilai epa wenne na'. (watching wired things and elephants is never boring.) It's true. We can look at them silently. It's really amazing. They were fed themselves. Babies run here and there. Parents tried to hide and protect them. 
We were there for nearly half an hour. We went away give chance to others and freedom to elephants.

When we came out of the park we were covered by dust. My husband's beard became browny.  Always remember when you entered the park take a mask with you to protect your nose and mouth from the dust. And especially let the animal live their lives. Only keep picture memories. Don't drop any garbage. We should protect elephants and forests for us. 

Ravana falls in memory of king Ravana

 

When you travel Ella Wallawaya road you can see the most beautiful scenery. Ravana falls is a beautiful waterfall we can see from the road aside. 

   

We stopped our vehicle to enjoy the ravana falls. 
    Ravana fall is one of the widest waterfalls in Srilanka. It has a long history. People believed legendary king Ravana kidnapped sitha from India and hide her in a cave behind this waterfall. That cave is called 'Ravana cave'. 
    Ravana falls measured approximately 25m in height. During the rainy season, It's spread all over the oval shape of rock and water and falls dangerously.  But It's an amazing scene. We were going there dry season. So not much water falls down.

    Small stores build up to two sides of the road. Locals made food and beverages for the visitors. One store sells 'mangoes' with salt and chili powder. It's really tasty. 
    We were staying there for nearly hours. Feels like couldn't be left ravana fall. But we have to.

Lily's Resort

 

    Habarana is a small city in the Anuradhapura distric. But it's a well known tourist city. We started to go there early in the morning. 

   

Our destination is 'Lily's resort'. It's situated at Trincomalee road, Habarana.
    It's not a largest one. But beautiful place. When we arrived they welcome us by fresh juice. And invited us to lightning to oil lamp because it's open nearest day. 

    It has ancient look and very temperate climate. Swim pool is the my favorite place in the hotel. That water is mesmerized. 
    Food also really amazing. Hotel management arranged us to vehicle for the Habarana forest visit. They were really helpful.
    If you travel Habarana, Lily's resort is one of best place to stay. 

The Lord Buddha Visited Muthiyangana

    As history said, Gautham buddha visited Srilanka thrice. Muthiyangana raja maha viharaya which is situated in Badulla town is one place Lord Buddha visited.   

  

 At the end of sermons made by Buddha there, Indaka had wanted something to worship in memory of Buddha's visit. The Buddha is said to have given him a few of his hairs and a few drops of sweat that turned into pearls . Indaka had enshrined these sacred hair and pearls in a stupa.  

 People believed Muthiyangana raja maha viharaya was that Stupa. 

    We visited there while we come back from the Ella.
    This sacred place more important because of 28 bodhis. (Bo Trees)
    In present we were worshiped 'asathu Bodhiya.' We simply called it 'Bo tree or Bodhi). 

    As history said we had 28 buddhas. After a long lifetime (Kalpaya) a Buddha born. Buddha's enlightenment happened under different bodhis (trees). 

    There were ancient pictures and ancient building works too. It's must visit place.  

 

 

 

Beautiful Bride in Badulla - Dunhida waterfall

When you start to travel Badulu Bandarawela road you can see lots of beautiful scenes. We decided to go to the dunhida falls. In srilanka, ‘dunhida’ name used for the many falls. But this is the Most popular ‘Dunhida’  fall. It’s situated at Badulu Mahiyangana road.

A big name board said us we arrive the destination. ‘Dunhida Ella’. There are many small shops around the entrance. ‘Soranathota pradeshiya Sabha’ handle the entrance. We take tickets for us. When we take our first step we can see many many stalls. There are toys, statues, drinks etc.

“Come and have belimal with hakuru…”

They shout when they see travelers. We walk between the stalls in to the jungle.There are steps and bridges to make your hike easy.

“Have long distance to go…” A traveler says. He is coming back from the fall.

“Ammo…” I said myself.

So we walk, walk and walk. Tallest trees cover the sun. Because of them sun don’t bother us. When we pass a small stall a dog join with us. Its show us road to the dunhida fall without payment. Without ask nothing.

After more than fifteen minutes we hear the sound of Dunhida falls down. We give our leg to more power. Then I see that beautiful scenery through the trees.

“Wow.. It’s beautiful..”

I mumble to myself.

But this is not end of our journey. We have to go further to watching area.

“Let’s go soon..” I say my team.

Finally after few kilometers we see a stage made by woods. When we step on the stage, beautiful dunhida bride in front of our eyes. It’s coming as a small stream and then fall down from the rock. There are two stalls on the stage. They sell cool drinks, and foods. Monkeys look at the stall from their sharp eyes.

“If we miss for a while these monkeys stole food from the stalls…”

Owner said.

I look at the dunhida. It falls to the big pool and run to the down.

“This is not rainy season. So no more water…” an owner said again. “When rainy time ella spread over that rock wall.. Water drop hit our faces too.. Pool become bigger and that small rocks stay in underwater..”

He finger tips showed us small rocks sat in the water.

When he explains I imagine that beautiful scene.

Dunhinda fall started from badulu oya. This is 64 metres (210 ft) high and gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray. Badulu oya, mixed with the mahaweli after the long journey. I don’t know where exactly.

Small water drops come down from the sky. It’s warning about a rain. We stay there nearly half an hour enjoying the scenery. Water falling sound and birds singing make us calm.

It’s time to say goodbye to the dunhida. When we turn to come back I see a tearful scene around the stage.. That’s polythine and plastic bottles. Stall owners says that they can’t put a dustbin because of the monkeys.

So, if you bring plastic bottles and foods in polyethene bag please take it with you. You are not the final guy to watch this beautiful scene. Don’t come here only for the photos and don’t even drop a single bag.

                       

You can name it. On the way to 'Ella'.

     Ella wallawaya road is one of beautiful road in srilanka. We started our travel early morning from the Colombo. When the mid day started we came to the Ella town.I saw we passed a board called 'namunukula estate'. Tea states are really popular around these area. 

 

    After few meters from the estate we saw a beautiful small waterfall. It's good place to bathing too. We stopped there to having bath.

    It's not higher. But still It's so cool and clear. It's just a passing water fall and no name it. We could put any name for that. Villagers said be careful when you bath because one place of the waterfall will kill you.
    Srilankans say 'Ella biligannawa.' When we see around it's looks like safe place. But some places of the waterfall deeper than it's looks. So remember to ask villagers before you get in the water.
    Villagers helped us to find safe place in the water. Without walking or swimming dangerous area we had some fun.