We (Wolfgang and I ) took early morning train "Yal Devi" at 05:50 am from Mt. Lavinia train station.
We reached 08:10 am at Polgahawela Station . The journey was comfortable as there were not much passengers.
Subash met us at the front of the station with his 1968 Mitsubishi Jeep, our driving plan was Polgahawela - Kegalle road . When we reached. Kegalle new road we decided to have our breakfast just beside the new Road side to Kandy.
We had Traditional breakfast STRING HOPPERS with Sambal, Polos (Jack Fruit) and chicken curry, hot tea with Jinadasa Thalaguli (a Sri Lankan sweet) it was Yummy......
Thanks to Subash's wife who cooks very early morning .
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| Subash and Me |
The drive continue to Hunnasgiri Town via Kandy city. From town just beside the Gas station turn left to side road indicates Meemure. Road was really bad shape we were lucky to have 4x4 but the drive was uncomfortable. The road had plenty of holes some of them big as ponds. Beside shaky ride, Rain also trouble us all the way as we did not had the both jeep doors though it was fun but hard journey for me as I was at the rear seat I never had real "Bumpy Ride".
Some time we were able to see mountains when time to time clouds got clear for a short period. Time to time when ever we meet Tuk Tuk we asked how far to Meemure every reply was 6 km. we were happy till six km but there after disappointment as next person reply was 6 km ? We continue our journey till we saw the highest mountain in Meemure.
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| Subash and Wolfgang |
It took us nearly 3 hrs to reach our accommodation. We have come 35 km in three hours. What a journey? simple house with extra three rooms . The person who was charge quickly warm up our lunch which Subash's wife has prepared for us.
After lunch around 16:00 hrs we start to walk to center of the village. With rain we were able to see few things in the village , people are not so friendly perhaps they must be having reasons. Paddy field , few houses and the small bridge and the present construction site of the bridge.
Meemure is one of the most remote villages in Sri Lanka with the only access via a 14 km (8.7 mi) trail from the town of Loolwatta. There is no cellular service available in the village electricity was install just 3 Months ago. There are 175 families living in this area. Most of them depend on agriculture like Pepper, Cardamon , Trickle etc.
Most interesting was school children walks daily 7 to 10 km to their school. They don't cry for their transport like in the city children who are taking tuk tuk or van just cover 1-2 km. I am sure those children are more healthy than town kids. Meemure junior school Kaikawela is the most nearest school to them.
After returning from the village we had few hours rest and after dinner we all went back to sleep.
Following Morning we desire to travel after breakfast to Wasgamuwa as 3 hrs journey to Hunnasgiri town. Morning weather was better and we had few stops to take some pictures.
Lake gala mountain in Meemure considered to be some connection to King Rawana. He used to lift his glider Dhandu Monara Air craft from this mountain.
On the way there is a cave belongs to King Rawana who stored his fire arms in this cave it's an Archeology site 7.5 km way from main trail.
Beside we could see Hindu temple and just road side there was two ponds with Olu flowers. One pond was with yellow Olu which is rare to find.
With a note three yellow Olu pops out of water gave a smile to our journey as we were departing from Meemure.
Wasgamuwa
The name Wasgamuwa may also derive from an ancient meaning as a gathering place for bears. Part of Wasgamuwa was declared a Strict Nature Reserve in 1938 and additional areas added to become Wasgamuwa National Park on 07 th August 1984. The park covers almost 37,062.9 hectares of which most is wilderness areas with no visitation.
The main vegetation type is topical dry mixed evergreen forest, but due to the variations in geology, landform, soils and hydrological conditions sub-natural vegetation type is also found, resulting from human interventions.
Twenty three species of mammals have been reported from the park. The park is especially known for its high abundance of sloth bears (Melursus Ursinus) and a reputation for housing some of the largest Asian elephants and the “marsh elephant” of Wasgamuwa are reputedly the largest of the Sri Lankan elephants, Some 143 species birds have been recorded of which 5 are endemic to Sri Lanka. Fifteen species of amphibians have been reported including the endemic, there are also 35 reptiles, many butterflies can be seen flitting around the park and 52 different species have been recorded, out of which are endemic and 17species of fish have been recorded. (dwc.gov.lk)
As we reached Hunnasgiri we stop for a cup of tea before we took the "Daha Ata Wangu". 18 N shape coves what to Mahiyangana. Beautifull view you could see part of Victoria reservoir and mountain range. Roads and landscape nice in between you get river beds where excess water flows through the main road.
Paddy fields are lavish green with water holes due to heavy rain.
We reached by lunch at 13:00 hrs to Aligams Cottage.
Very pleasant place with fantastic view of lake and Nuckels Range.
After lunch we drove along the village and paddy fields just have a look at surroundings. We sat nearly three hours front of our room veranda . Very relaxing .
After late dinner we went to sleep.
Following early morning due to rain we have to call special safari jeep for our safari.
6:30 we enter to Wasgamuwa National park . Spent 3 hrs inside.
We saw group of elephants, single male Elephants who was chased away from Hurd the Park Ranger told us some time they attract and kill park workers or visitors.. Plenty of deers , wild buffalos and many rare birds. We visited the park in wrong time as rain brings animals inside the park due to plenty of water every place and they do not want to go on search of water . February onwards one can see many elephants in open areas . Young park ranger Schamile just 22 years and 2 years experience in this field who gave us the all information . The jeep driver who knew for hand animal spots has shown us though it was raining.
We return to hotel for breakfast we had Pittu typical Sri Lankan village breakfast with hot chilly curry and Safran sweet curry then we check out and drove via Dambulla to Kurunagala. Excellent road net work gave us smooth drive.. After Short tea break Subash drop us to main bus stand .where we took the normal bus to Colombo.
The entire drive was done by Subash since he is from Mahrachchimulla we felt he should not drive us to Colombo and back to Alawwa. While we travel to Colombo he could be with his family after all he has missed his Son for 2 days.
Our great journey was created to experience in different manner Wolfgang who is my brother in Law from Germany who enjoyed the most will take this experience with in him for a long time.
Journeys will always bring memories and give experiences throughout your life
Whereby you will understand that the life is full of experience which Nature is the creator of all those adventures Beauty which last in your Mind.........
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