The Pride of Sri Lanka

When we set our foot on the land of Sri Lanka, the first impression was, it was a hot country. There were 2 places among the few highlights we visited that impressed me the most, the iconic Sigiriya and Horton Plains National Park. Another less impressive place was Nuwara Eliya. 

Coconut as the best thirst quencher

Sigiriya is an ancient 200m high rock fortress which served as a palace and monastery. It is also called as Lion's Rock and is a UNESCO World Heritage. The palace was surrounded by moat, just like the ancient Japanese palace. We had to climb steps to the top. It was a hot bright sunny day. Standing on top the giant rock was like standing on top of a mountain, high up on the group with bird eye view of the surroundings. I could not imagine how those people carried themselves and things high up without stairs, unlike right now which are built for tourists. 

Entrance to the "Eight Wonder of the World" as claimed by locals

Moat surrounding the ancient fortress

Lion's feet with stairs on the rock wall

View from the top

Nuwara Eliya is a hill country retreat famous for its tea plantation. Located midway between a lowland and a highland, the weather could be cooling in the morning. Indeed, it is claimed as the coldest place in Sri Lanka. However, I would still prefer Malaysia's Cameron Highlands as landscape is more pictureque. However, it is relaxing to stay a night and walk around the town.

Ancient tea processor

Tea plantation

Township of Nuwara Eliya

Horton Plains National Park is a flat grassy plateau covering a stretch of 9,5km loop walk at an elevation of 2000-2300m. The journey from Nuwira Eliya towards Horton Plains was an unforgettable scenery, with a feeling of being in west countryside with cows roaming around. On the way to the national park on an isolated misty road, we encountered a huge antelope resting on a roadside. That was the perfect opportunity for an unique picture with the animal as the background. 

Isn't it a nostalgic feeling with the ancient looking bus?

Cows blocking the road

Blessed to see a sambar deer

Endless grassland

                                                                                   

I was truly mesmerised with the quiet, tranquil grassland. Along the loop walk, we visited a small waterfall called Baker's Falls. The key highlight of the national park was an awesome cliff called The End's World. Imagine snapping a picture with a deep drop of 880m into the valley down below behind you. 

Start of trek

Tranquility

Baker's Falls

The journey continues

World's End at 880m high

I could never imagine Sri Lanka has such a gorgeous grassland high on the land mimicking an NZ grassland, except with a different weather and animals..