Well we actually did it! Today was to be our walking day; nine kilometres of undulating track in the Horton Plains National Park.
Horton Plains is the highest plateau in the Sri Lankan mountains,so we had some concerns as to whether we would manage to complete a hike like that .
We set out soon after 5-30am, wasn't aware that time existed on holiday! It was still dark as we made our way down the very narrow twisty road to the main road and then one just as winding and narrow up to the National Park. As we drove through the villages there were already some people about on their way to work and of course there were tuk-tuks getting in the way as usual. After about an hour and a half we arrived at Hortons Plain; several dozen cars, tuk-tuks, mini buses and bikes were already assembled. It seemed to be quite busy.
Having found a parking space it was time to tackle the enormous packed breakfast we had been given by the hotel. So much food, sandwiches, cakes, coussaunts, fruit,milk and fruit juice. So much stuff we had more for lunch and still have some left over!!!
It was light now but still quite cold when we started out with gusto. The going was great on the flat,but there didn't seem to be much flat land; going down hill and up hill could be a little tricky as there has been no rain this year so the ground is dust and quite slippery in parts . There were also lots of boulders to manoeuvre around which could be quite tricky. Having said all that the walk was amazing, high ground beautiful grassland and pretty pools dominated the landscape. There were hundreds of rhododendron trees, just showing sights of buds; they will be a blaze of red in March when they fully bloom.Rhododendrons are native trees to these parts: sadly in places they are being suffocated by gorse bushes planted by British landowners during the days of the empire.
The first great spectacle we came to was the Baker Falls a lovely waterfall which apparently should be much faster and fuller if there had been rain this monsoon season. It was well worth the clamber down to see it regardless.
Striding down dusty paths and clambering over boulders we eventually made it to the Worlds End an amazing escarpment with a 1000metres sheer drop. What made this even more spectacular was what they called the 'cloud forest' . Clouds gathers in the valley and then rise up into the mountains lingering on the plants while they take water from them, thus the whole valley is a lush green . It was quite a spectacle as quite quickly the valley disappears under the clouds totally obscuring the view. We thought how sad some people were going to be having walked all that way and not get the view! Doesn't bear thinking about really. It's fun how where ever you go walkers are always pleasant and greet each other on the path, today was no exception despite having great open spaces to ourselves people were always happy to share a greeting or comment on the path ahead.
As we walked Abey was great at pointing out birds, lizards and plants :we also a couple of Sambar deer, magnificent stag and a more timid doe who was hiding amongst the rhododendrons. There were also loads of bear monkeys, native to these plains, but despite hearing them call to each other never appeared in person.
This was a really challenging day but we are glad that we completed it; we have a great feeling of achievement and a well earned lazy afternoon. Now we can look forward to a good dinner this evening, the restaurants in these out of the way hotels have been great, so far!!!