Our first long-distance trip took us to Sri Lanka. From Sigiriya, further north—a monolith with a royal rock fortress dating back to 473 AD perched on its “roof”—through the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains in the center, we “hiked our way” through Sri Lanka. We’re still in touch with Gihan, our guide. He regularly sends me pictures of my favorite cat—the leopard—which we unfortunately didn’t get to see back then.
We spent our last week at a beach hotel in Tangalle, which was unfortunately completely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami.
We spent our last week at a beach hotel in Tangalle, which was unfortunately completely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami.
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The northern Part of
Sri Lanka
After landing in Colombo, we drove to Sigiriya. From our hotel, we had a spectacular view of Lion Rock, Singha Giri, on whose plateau stands a rock fortress dating from the 4th century AD. Only the foundation walls of the wooden palace remain. The plateau can be reached via a fairly steep staircase located at what was once the lion’s head.
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The first day
Impressions:
after landing in Colombo, on the way to our first hotel.
after landing in Colombo, on the way to our first hotel.
The Lion Rock
Sigiriya—Singha Giri - the Lion Rock
because, when viewed from the front, it looked like a reclining lion. Today, all that remains are the lion’s paws, between which the grueling climb up an adventurous staircase took place.
because, when viewed from the front, it looked like a reclining lion. Today, all that remains are the lion’s paws, between which the grueling climb up an adventurous staircase took place.
The first ride.
Our first wild elephants.
Our first wild elephants.
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Horton Plains - Central Highlands
The Sinhalese name for Horton Plains is Maha Eliya Thenna, which means “great open plain.” During the British colonial period, the area was renamed Horton Plains after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton. He served as governor of what was then Ceylon from 1831 to 1837.
Horton Plains became a wildlife sanctuary in December 1969. In March 1988, it was designated a national park. Covering an area of 3,160 hectares, it contains one of Sri Lanka’s largest cloud forest areas. It is also worth noting that seven years after our visit, in July 2010, the Central Highlands - including Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, and the Knuckles Mountain Range - were inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.
Thanks to our guide, Gihan, we were able to fully experience and explore this beautiful landscape back then.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Horton Plains became a wildlife sanctuary in December 1969. In March 1988, it was designated a national park. Covering an area of 3,160 hectares, it contains one of Sri Lanka’s largest cloud forest areas. It is also worth noting that seven years after our visit, in July 2010, the Central Highlands - including Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, and the Knuckles Mountain Range - were inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.
Thanks to our guide, Gihan, we were able to fully experience and explore this beautiful landscape back then.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Hiking the teaplantations
The Alpine Inn in Bandarawela, a small guesthouse run at the time by a lady who gave us a very warm welcome. Her late husband was, if I recall correctly, a representative or owner of a toy factory and therefore a frequent visitor to the Nuremberg Toy Fair. The Alpine Inn was the starting point for an extensive hike through the tea plantations—a hike we still remember to this day.
We took the train to the starting point, from where we were driven on the back of a truck to the beginning of our hike. The dog accompanied us the whole time from there on.
We took the train to the starting point, from where we were driven on the back of a truck to the beginning of our hike. The dog accompanied us the whole time from there on.
These old devices still work
