Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
10/11/2013
Left Ubik outside bookshop as a donation, got bus to Galle to and found the bus that would take me Ella. The bus was blaring some local music as per, so the eye mask and ear plugs were a mainstay. Throw in a few chapters of George Orwell's 1984 and the 6 hour bus ride was a good one. The bus got really full and I pitied the people standing for hours in the heat as the bus rocketed too and fro to Ella. Found a lovely room for 1500, Beauty Mount guest house. Lots of little buildings perched high on a hill. It was impossible to get to the top without being knackered. Maybe could have haggled a bit more but I'd make it up in free bog roll I thought.
Got some local food, a mahuuusive slap up fish curry with around 7 side dishes for £1.20. Got a bottle of coke as a treat which came in a glass bottle. The design on the side was old school retro…. Resisted trademark 2002, and overly carbonated…. Definitely not coca-cola.
Climbed Little Adam's Peak on the afternoon, an amazing vantage point of Ella and its surroundings, as well as Ella's Rock which is the opposing mountain. The climb was so steep and the steeps which took you to the top were endless. The effort was worth it though. Beautiful panoramic views which took your breath away. Thought I'd be adventurous and climb to the next ridge over, a steep descent via a narrow path followed by the steep ascent back up to the top again. Took some real effort traversing the pass, but again was worth it. Made my way back to the first ridge and lots of tourists arrived at once, and was good to talk to some of them. They were equally panting in their effort as I had been! Had my first hot shower on the afternoon since Sep 25th. Was laughing my head off in awe when I discovered the water was hot! Seeing steam was nuts. Normally its gritted teeth and quick blasts of water from a cold shower everyday.
11/11/2013
Woke at 8am to climb Ella's rock. Was meant to climb it with some French lasses, but they craic was stale and one of the 'lasses' genuinely had a beard. Im not talking no whispy hairs, but a genuine beard. Honestly put me off my breky, and swifted their company at first opportunity. Asked some locals how to get to Ella's rock and discovered the only way was via the train track… obviously. Apparently it would be a 4 hour round trip. So off I set, walking down a train track on my Norman, in ascent of a mega view! I knew that once you crossed the bridge you took the first left off the track and made your way up from there, as well as that you needed a guide as from here on in there were numerous forks in the road. I ignored the advice and the 1000rs offer. How hard can it be, there'd be other tourists! Dodged a train on the track and kept on mooching. Low and behold however a French couple, late 50s, came up behind me with a local. Boooom! Hello free guide. Tagged along with them and the geezer was sound, his missus was a bit quiet, and I had the feeling she didn't want me there, but she was ok in the end and she was sound too. After the track advice of a guide became evident, wouldn't have had a foggiest as to where to go without Manju. At times we walked through bushes for minuetes which comopleteluy engrossed us, carefully following the narrow path beneathe our feet.
Manju was a good guide and pointed out all the local plants which we passed, kaliptus lemon grass, mint, the worldy biggest alloa vera plant and lots of other which I had never heard of, as well as the local monkeys which were funny. We eventually made the top and was honestly impressed by the frenchies' effort. They were 57 and 54 yet never complained nor wimpered at the challenge. The view at the top was nothing shy of memorizing. The first thing I thought was that this is definitely worth travelling across the other side of the globe to see, and I would love if my old man was here to share in the experience. The vantage point trumped Little Ellas peak with ease; a protruding rock which again offered stunning panoramic views. Got some killer snaps, and a great one where my feet where hanging over the drop, hehe.
We made the descent and it what was even more mind blowing was watching Manju descend effortlessly in a pair of cheap rubber flip flops. Later on Manju asked if I had some English money as he 'collects' international currency. Surrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre that's the reason matey!
Eventually made our way back to the track and I was relieved when Manju asked us if we fancied a drink from a little restaurant next to the track. I knew the frenchies wouldn't decline, and this gave me the perfect excuse to slip away without any payment to the guide, as I had the feeling he would have wanted me to chip in considering the amazing day I had for absolute nothing.
Got some food on the night from the local cheap place. Again the coke bottles on displace were old glass bottles, some showing evident signs of abrasion, all with their measurements slightly different from the last. I'm no production expert, but I think a billion dollar company can produce clean shiny bottles with the identical measurements of coke. Hmmmmmm.
Some two French ladies starting enquiring about the food as I walked out. I explained what you got, but they never knew what a poppadom was so I asked back inside if this was definitely its name as it didn't quite look like one. haha they musn't have understood my mackem accent and they looked at me shocked…. "you speak Sinhalese?". I replied coolly, "I know a little".
- comments