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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Bambarakanda Waterfall

Bambarakanda is the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a sheer drop of a 263 meters. In the world ranking its the 299th tallest waterfall in the world. This is not a wide waterfall but drops as a thin line from a rocky outcrop. The fall lies in the Badulla District among a evergreen forest in the Kalupahana area. This is not a wide waterfall but drops as a thin line from a rocky outcrop. The fall is formed by the Uduweriya Haputale mountain and Kuda oya, a tributary of Walawe river. There are some waterfalls closed to Bambarakanda falls. Those are "Lanka falls", "Uduwara falls" and  "Nagadowa falls". Several mini waterfalls also available. It's also beautiful but not higher than Bambarakanda and not famous. The area around Bambarakanda is rich with scenic beauty, rugged terrain, waterfalls, tea fields and cool climate making it an attractive destination for nature lovers. You can reach  from Colombo by passing Rathnapura, Balangoda and Kalupahana then turn left at Kalupahana junction to "Weerakoon village" and continue for 5 km to the fall. The terrain is relatively difficult, so a four wheeled drive vehicle is recommended. Travel to this place is not easy than other waterfalls of Sri Lanka because this fall is far away from a main road. The view all around is pretty beautiful including the mighty Bambarakanda falls and the surrounding hills. Cool bath in the natural pool complex known as “Seven Basins” or the natural pools at top and bottom of Bambarakanda falls. Best months to visit Bambarakanda are from March through May.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Kumana National Park

Kumana national park is located in Ampara district in Eastern province of the Sri Lanka. It's around 340km from Colombo. You can reach "Kumana" passing Rathnapura, Udawalawa, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Siyabalanduwa, Pothuwil and Panama town. Kumana is a well known bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. Regular sightings include such species of bird as pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants. The very rare black necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp. One of the most significant features of the park is the ‘Kumana Villu’ is a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the ‘Kumbukkan Oya’ through a half mile long narrow channel. Attached to a lot of lagoons, lakes and swamps.
Kumana is more of a bird sanctuary providing shelter for myriad endemic and migrant birds. Bird watching in Kumana is one of the top most events in every tourist’s sightseeing list in Sri Lanka. Kumana National Park has been rated as one of the most important breeding grounds in Sri Lanka. Many ancient cave engravings and inscriptions had been discovered in Kumana which date back to the 1st Century BC. Significance in Kumana is that Buddhist and Hindu devotees turn to Kumana on their foot pilgrimage towards the sacred Kataragama. Another significant part of the Kumana visit is witnessing the Kumana Villu during the months of May and June. One can say it is the heart of Kumana, in the prospective as a bird sanctuary. The reason for "Kumana Villu" given such importance in the checklist is it is the nesting place for many birds. It should be noted that "Kumana Villu" is subjected to sea water inundation occasionally. Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the neighboring "Yala" National Park such as elephants and leopards which can also be seen on safari. Other animals which reside inside Kumana National Park include the Golden Jackal, the European Otter.  It is also reported that approximately 30-40  Sri Lankan elephants reside in the park, although they do crossover to Yala National Park.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Hikkaduwa Beach


Among the coastal side tourist attractions in Sri Lanka "Hikkaduwa" beach has a special place for its exquisite white sands and uniquely beautiful corals that has lured many visitors and tourists to take a glimpse at the marvels that can be seen in full abundance. Magnificent corals and tropical fishes are the top priorities in this highly popular beach location and being the only marine life sanctuary in Sri Lanka. It is also a fine and rich place to explore the bio diversity and marine life of this beautiful tropical island. White sans glistening under the warm sun shine sure has made the place have a captivating effect on tourists and visitors. Hikkaduwa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka is located 100 km south of the Colombo. It is located in the Southern Province, about 17 km north west of Galle. Hikkaduwa has long been the most popular diving and surfing area in Sri Lanka. Surfing is the dominant water activity. In the center of Hikkaduwa, a lagoon also creates a beautiful and safe snorkeling area. There are plenty of good surfing points and although most of them are reef breaks, none of them is risky since they all have a flat deep bottom. The wave size ranges up to 3 meters during the season. Big groupers, barracudas, moray eels, dog tooth tunas, manta rays, lobsters & turtles are often to be seen just off the coast at Hikkaduwa. The area is well known for its coral sanctuary and the proximity of wonderful scuba diving sites to explore. The diving at Hikkaduwa is diverse and there is an abundance of marine life and dive sites to suit all levels of experience.

Jungle Fowl

The Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Gallus Lafayetii, is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a close relative of the Indian Red Jungle fowl, Gallus Gallus, the wild Jungle fowl from which the chicken was domesticated. These are large birds, with colorful male plumage, but are sometimes difficult to see in the denser woodlands. It is common in forest and scrub habitats, and can usually be seen at sites such as Kitulgala, Yala and Sinharaja. This is one of four species of bird in the Genus Gallus. It is a ground nesting bird, which lays 2 - 4 eggs in a nest. There are 4 species of Gallus so far recorded from Asia. The Red Jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), the Grey Jungle fowl (Gallus sonneratii), the Green Jungle fowl (Gallus varius) and the Sri Lankan Jungle fowl (Gallus lafeyetii). The Sri Lanka Jungle fowl is endemic to Sri Lanka, and is not found anywhere else in the world. It spends its life in forest or its outskirts, never venturing far from cover, though, especially in wet weather, it likes to frequent open places, such as roadsides or glades. The food of the "Wali Kukula" consists of grain, weed seeds, berries, various succulent leaves and buds, and a large proportion of small animals, such as crickets, centipedes and termites. The main breeding season is in the first quarter of the year, but often a second clutch is laid in August to September, and breeding may go on throughout the year. The nest is often a shallow scrape in the ground, concealed by herbage, at the foot of a tree or beside a dead log. The eggs number two to four, they are creamy white, some very finely peppered, other more boldly but sparingly speckled with brown and they measure about 48 × 35 mm.
Jungle Fowl (Male)
Jungle Fowl (Female)

Friday, October 18, 2013

Pasikuda Beach

Close by, has a fine bay with clear waters, which opens to the north. An offshore reef shelters a sandy beach and keeps the water, calm and clear. This place is a windsurfers and water skiers delight. Fast developing in to a fine beach resort. A place with golden sand ,blue water and sunshine from heaven, Its Pasikuda. Pasikuda is a beach which located in Eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is bit strange because it is one of the safest beaches in the East coast. Due to lack of crowd the beach is very clean and pure, not like other crowded beaches. Pasikuda is a ideal place to have a cool and calm holiday. There are not any one to disturb you and any thing don't make your calmness jam. Pasikuda beach, recognized as one of safest beaches in Sri Lanka is very famous among the travelers who travel around the Sri Lankan tourism areas. Throughout the year the beach is fully crowded with travelers from all around the world. The sea is visualized with crystal clear water. Foreign travelers never miss this beach as it is known as an ideal destination for a sea bath. During the seasons, many water surfing sports men and women come to frolic with the waves in Pasikuda Beach. Even Sri Lankan players are trying to compete with them. Especially Pasikuda beach is appropriate for the beginners in water surfing. Surfing the waves, pulling off cool techniques, jumping high off the wave and spinning in the air are attractive.