Trip to Bandarawela

As usual we started the journey early in the morning, stopped on the way to have hot hot Kanda (herbal porridge) from an old uncle by the road. It was just sun rise when we stopped at belihuloya for breakfast. (RIVER GARDEN RESORT)

We walked down the resort it was nice being closer to the nature.

Then we went to see the Samanalawewa Dam. It was not open for public, still we wanted to give it a try. Luckily we met the Security OIC on the way, who wanted a lift. So lucky we got a change to have a round trip. Still we were not allowed to get out of the vehicle to take photographs, due to the terrorist threats. Hopefully we will be able to make another visit in near future.

Next we visited the Bambarakanda waterfall.
Bambarakanda waterfall, Haldumulla
The waterfall is said high about 241meters, highest waterfall of Sri Lanka. You have to turn off from Kalupahana Junction (160Km from Colombo - Badulla road) is at Between Belihul Oya and Haputale and travel around 5km inside. Travel to this place is not easy still we could make in our Ford Laser!
This is my first experience visiting a waterfall. It was a strange feeling to see such a load of water flowing freely over a rock.

Our next stop was Adisham Bungalow. Nadee joined us from on the way.
Adisham bungalow, Haputale
The house was built in 1931 by an English aristocrat and planter Sir Thomas Villiers, former Chairmen of the George Steuart, a trading and estate agency based in Colombo.
It was designed by R. Booth and F. Webster in Tudor and Jacobean style, on 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land. The house was designed in the Tudor style, on the lines of Leeds Castle in Kent, with stout granite walls of locally quarried stone, long, narrow turret windows and chimneys. The roof was covered with flat Burma teak shingles. The doors, windows, paneling, staircase and floors were all of Burma teak.
The garden lay-out was also British and, as in the house, the incomparable scenery is used to best effect.
Villiers imported fine period furniture, linen, carpets, porcelain, silver, and glassware from England for his home and named it Adisham after the Kentish village where he was born.

Then we bought lunch from Haputale town & started out journey to Lipton's Seat. The way through Dambetenna Tea Estate from Haputale town is a scenic road amid lush green tea plantations. Again we went all the way up in our car!!!

Lipton's Seat
This was a favorite look-out point for Sir Thomas Lipton (the great tea planter) when surveying the surrounding region of his tea plantations. It is told that on a clear day, a visitor can see 5 provinces of Sri Lanka. The panaromic view is out of this world and truly pleasing.

It was a long day for us. So we reached our night stop & wound the bit early.

DAY 02
We visited the Diyatalawa military base and Training facilities. Thank you Jayantha ayya for the awesome tour!

We came back to Jayantha ayya place, fixed a quick lunch and started again our journey to visit Bogoda Bridge. The bridge is situated at 13 km south of Badulla city.

Bogoda Bridge
Bogoda wooden bridge was built in the 16th century during the period of Dambadeniya era. This is said to be the oldest surviving wooden bridge in the world.  All parts of this bridge was constructed by woods using wooden nails as fixing material. The roof tiles show the influence of Kingdom of Kandy.

Bogoda Temple
Bogoda Buddhist temple is an ancient temple situated beside the Bogoda wooden bridge. The temple has much longer history than the bridge. Temple was built by the under instruction of King Valagamba.
Inside of the temple were elaborated with lovely paintings. The walls were built with a paste made of cotton wool, bee honey and extracted and purified white clay.

It was dark when we reach our stop.


Day 03
Dhowa rock Temple
Temple is located 6km from Bandarawela on Badulla-Bandarawella highway. It is believed, the temple bears a history dating back to about 2,000 years. The historic cave temple complex was once the sanctuary for King Walagamba. Is says that the incomplete large standing Buddha statuewasis done by King Walagamba while is stay. This 38 ft rock carved Buddha statue and the ornamental gateway are the main attractions of the temple.

We left Bandarawela after lunch. On the way we wanted to visit the Highland milk factory, but it was closed as it was a Sunday.

It was misty when we started our journey back home. We got fresh vegetable on the way and back we stopped for St. Clair’s for tea.

Reached home before dark