The Highland Beauty

By Kassapa Ellepola

Who would think that a suddenly picked bunch of friends and a suddenly planned trip would give you one of your greatest times of life? Well, it became real when we took the morning train from Colombo Fort. There were five boys and four girls who clambered in the train beaming at the joy they were going to have.

The train left the Fort heading upcountry gathering its speed. The train busied its way through the greenery surrounding the upcountry. The

atmosphere got cooler and brightened our feelings. The Colombo-Badulla Railway had its old splendor, which we now have come across quite a number of times. Its beauty has lifted it seems. The mountains covered with mist indicated that upcountry is still young and handsome as it has always been.

This time we traveled further. By late evening, we reached Diyathalawa. We got off from the station where two more of our friends joined us, and followed a road down to the small Diyathalawa town which was not much more than a few government buildings and few shops. It was the ideal place for a holiday, silent and inviting.

We resided the night in a small holiday bungalow, well furnished and with a good cook. We had plenty of fresh vegetables in the locality which added taste to our meals. The nights’ stillness was challenged by the sound of continuous gunfire exploding from the guns of Army trainees at the nearby Diyathalawa Army Camp. We could see the night being lighted by the ignition emanating from the rifles. It is a tiresome period which takes days and nights of training, producing hardy soldiers.

The next morning we started sightseeing. We got our backpacks packed full with water, food and left the bungalow. We first took a bus heading to Addisham Bungalow with a transit in Haputale. The ‘Bungalow’ was situated in a reserve named ‘Thangamalai’. We had to go past a tea estate first to reach the reserve. The walk across the reserve through the shade of the trees, the cold breeze and the call of birds gave us such contentment.

We reached the ‘Bungalow’. It was a fine piece of architecture. A majestic Bungalow made of solid mantel creating splendor to the vicinity. The heavy wooden doors made of solid oak, and the beautifully carved window sills brought majesty to the building. The finely furnished house was elaborated with antiques and all the other decorations in the house were an additive to its glamour.

The cliff beside gave a panoramic view over the surrounding area. Occasionally, the mist covered the area hiding the gigantic mansion drenching the well kept loan and the rosy garden in mist. Roses in an assortment of colors were neatly grown in beds, indicating the sensation of extreme gardening. The place revealed the true glamour of the upcountry.

We left the place and took a bus to Kalupahana, which was situated from an hour’s ride from the Haputale town. Our intension was to see the ‘Bambarakanda Falls’, which is written down as the tallest waterfall in the country and we considered it as a great privilege to witness this important place.

It took a tiresome walk through a hilly road to reach the falls. The road was well made and passed a quiet village with only few houses. We could get a glimpse of the waterfall above the mist covered green tree tops. It had such elegance that it looked like a bride whose white veil has been put over the cliff. It added advancing beauty to the surrounding area. The mild atmosphere created a lively ecosystem which made the area so pleasant.

To reach the bottom of the waterfall we had to carve our way through a small thicket and over some small streams. We tried our best to avoid leeches that tried to climb up our legs, but was not so successful. We speeded up through the trees, deliberate to see the waterfall closer. The deafening sound of the mass of water pounding on the pond was getting near.

Around a corner with a blink of the eye we saw it at last! We looked up at the waterfall with awe! It deceived us making us think that the water was raining down from the sky as the blue sky decorated its background. The whole surrounding was covered with mist generating from the waterfall. We were drenched with the mist. It was a sight to witness for a lifetime….

We were hurried to get changed in to our swim suits and we had a great time in the water. The water hit the pond below with massive force. We splashed ourselves in the water and had a great time until we felt tired and hungry. We climbed out and sat under the shade of some conifers where we found a great place which gave a splendid view over the waterfall. The lunch also tasted great with the background sound of the waterfall and the sight of it.

We decided to climb further more in to the conifer forest in search of another infamous waterfall named ‘Lanka Falls’. We kept further through the dark forest treading on the aging dry roots and sticks which covered the forest bed. The place had the most mystique look with it and we thought that the giant trees were looking down at us, the only souls who had infiltrated the sleeping ancient forest.

We kept through a foot path which carved its way through grass which had grown shoulder height. We finally hiked our way to the waterfall which was situated in a dale. A sound of water echoed around the place filling our ears. We saw it through the trees. After few minutes, we finally reached it!

It was small, not more than fifteen meters high but looked immensely beautiful. The pure white water leaped down to the pool below with elegance and style. The basin below took exactly the shape of the geographical area of Sri Lanka and we could guess now why the falls has received its name. The place was picturesque and we wasted our time with our cameras.

We believed that our virtue brought us to witness such a gorgeous place. We had pride when we turned back and left the place that we were few of the lucky people who has been here. We said farewell to the two beautiful waterfalls and the charming surrounding, gathering plenty of sweet memories to cherish for a lifetime.………….