(Through Colombo - Badulla Podi Menike Train - On Observation Saloon ...)
We started our journey around 6 AM in the podi menike train from Colombo Fort. It was during Mid- October 2012.Right up to the hill country the view through the observation saloon was quite monotonous. However, passing through numerous tunnels and tea estates was pretty interesting. We passed around 30 odd tunnels during the entire journey.
Misty Heavens
Then we reached the stretch from Idalgashinna to Haputhale, which is known to be the most glamorous stretch during this train journey. It had rained a while before we reached that stretch. Hence, the entire area was covered with the mist.
It was such a breathtaking view to see the mist flirting around all the mountain tops. It was indeed a mini Heaven, a misty heaven!
Ella
It was around 3.10 PM when we finally reached Ella. It had been raining for a while in Ella and the entire area was covered in a thick mist. We took a trishaw to get to our hotel (Ella Holiday Inn) which was located close by to the station (300m).
On the next day we were on tight schedule with an ambitious plan to visit a lot of places in Ella.
Places to visit in this lovely area, and how we got around..
The most breathtaking view that you will not miss while in Ella is the "Ella Gap". We were luckily to get a good view of Ella Gap at Ambiente Hotel ( which is about 2.5 KM away from the Ella Station, situated up in the hill in Kithalella Road). We had no clue of the exact distance hence climbed up in the Kithalella Road through the Tea Estate. But it was all worthwhile, because we were treated with this amazing view of the mountain ranges from far away and the Ella Gap ( the V shaped Valley view).
Ravana Ella
Ravana Ella is the most famous waterfall in Ella. We took the Badulla - Wellawaya Bus which passes through Ella Junction to get to Ravana Falls (which was about 7- 8 KM from Ella Junction).
Ravana Temple
Our next stop after visiting Ravana Falls was the Ravana Temple which is located between the Ella Junction and Ravana Falls. We took the same Badulla - Wellawaya Bus heading towards Ella Junction and got off from the small road leading to the temple. Although we thought the temple must be located quite close by, we actually had to walk about 2- 2.5 KM. But it was worthwhile, because we managed to see an old Raja Maha Vihara built by King Walagamba. The following collection of photos were captured at the Ravana Temple:
Demodara
In our short journey we still wanted to witness some of the railway architectural beauties. The Nine Arch Bridge was one of them, which we were lucky to pass through on our way to the Demodara Railway Station. This was experienced during a separate, short train journey from Ella to Demodara. The moment we got down at the Demodara Railway Station, I was hasty to witness how the train travels in a loop (the famous 'Demodara Railway Loop'). Soon I learnt that the loop cannot be viewed as a loop per se, because the train in fact travels around a small mountain. However, I managed to capture the train coming from around the mountain and disappearing beneath me into a tunnel.
All in all I believe it was amazing that we managed to visit quite a bunch of places, all in just One Day ! The next day ofcourse we headed back home on the Badulla -> Colombo observation saloon, leaving the glamourous Ella, enriched with delightful memories.
