SY Hullu Poro – Boating & Biking Adventures

Nallathanniya 🚴‍♂️ Kitulgala

On January 22, 2025

My accommodation in Nallathanniya was very basic, value for money not great. Even for myself, slightly adapted to local standards, there is a limit, which had been crossed. I thus got onto the road early to grab some of the incense sticks smell often around in the morning while riding through smaller villages.

With some pain left in the legs from yesterday’s hike, I was happy that today’s tour took me down from the highlands to the lowlands and almost all of the ride was therefore downhill. About 40km almost constantly on the brakes. Crazy. Corrugated tarmac mostly. From above the clouds to under the clouds. Hardcore.

It became another grey day and at one point in time I took shelter in one of the many convenience stores along these country roads. The magic drink for me at these places is the instant tea, made of the all-in-one-powder: tea, milk, sugar! In other words: The 3 in 1 instant tea mix. Delicious during an unplanned pit-stops. Not more. Served with style in a porcelain cup!

I am now back in the warm & humid climate. No sleeping back needed anymore. The aircon is back in the focus.

Fair winds…

Adam‘s Peak

By Bernd

On January 21, 2025

In Sri Lanka

Adam’s Peak put the scenery during my lovely buffet dinner at Yellow House Restaurant into a perfect surrounding. After compensating my calorie balance back to normal with the delicious local food, I stumbled home on still shaky legs.

Let‘s see how the biking will go tomorrow.

Fair winds…

Pilgrim Adam‘s Peak

By Bernd

On January 21, 2025

In B(H)iking, Sri Lanka

The alarm came off at 2:45am after barely 6 hours sleep with a nasty mosquito troubling me most of the short night. Nevertheless, the decision was taken to join the pilgrim up to Adam‘s Peak. The weather forecast was good for the sunrise, the body still strained from the last two days in the saddle. However, now or never.

A climb of 1000m over 5km had to be done, stair after stair, approximately 5500 stairs in total, one way! Well, looking closer to the altitude profile, the harder part is 800m over 2.5km.

The crowd was already well on its way through the dark, early morning hours. Some slept overnight on the bare concrete floor at the top of this sacred mountain. From 8 weeks old baby, carried up its parents, to the 80 year old elderly, helped up by the rest of the family, they were all there. Most of them wearing slippers paired with bobble heads and gloves. Approximately 5% tourists.

Unique to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only the way to get there but also its multi-religious importance. Buddhist, Hindus, Muslims and Christians all see their god represented at this spiritual place. Amazing.

I am flat now but for no doubt it was worth the effort.

Fair winds…

Belihuloya 🚴‍♂️ Nallathanniya

By Bernd

On January 20, 2025

In B(H)iking, Sri Lanka

A lot of climbing was planned for this queen’s mountain stage but after a good rest and breakfast (chickpeas!), I got on the road before 8am. Even started under the sun! Fully recharged.

The tarmac on this mountain passage was anything else than pleasant and over 40km I faced poor road conditions, still tarred, but corrugated worse than the Hell of the North! Going slow was my counter measure, which is no problem on uphill but downhill it becomes pure strain. Strain from spine to shoulder to wrist to all parts of the body.

The scenery compensated for most of it and this incredible Roubaix helped to take the hardest hits through its in-build suspension elements. I am surprised nothing broke and happy to get my new bike rather sooner than later.

Fair winds…

Ella 🚴‍♂️ Belihuloya

By Bernd

On January 19, 2025

In B(H)iking, Sri Lanka

I had a late start as it was still raining in the morning hours but at 11am it was either or. Could have stayed longer in this nice hostel in Ella but expected at least 4-5 hours on the road without a puncture and prefer to keep some margin towards sunset.

It became a magnificent ride over the mountain pass at Haputale Railway Station, where the clouds kept the visibility within 25m at some stage. Windchill added to the feeling of me being displaced for a short moment.

What followed was my longest ride on top of the clouds with spectacular views and ever friendly Sinhalese greeting along the road. Inviting for a chat despite a potential language barrier, no matter what.

One event still puzzles me. I stopped next to one of these primitive huts, would not call it shop, structure out of wood, walls and roof either wood or metal sheets. An elderly lady trying to sell some very basic amenities needed by people on the road. While trying to optimise my position for a photo, we started some small talk, which resulted by her saying with a smiling face: Sri Lanka, very nice. I assume, she has never in her life left the island but is fully aware about the beauty of this country. Not a single attempt during our conversation to sell me any of her goods, I moved on, but till now see her smiling face in front of me.

Fair winds…

Ella, Tuktuk & Tea

By Bernd

On January 18, 2025

In Sri Lanka

The hostels have become a pleasant part of this travel recently and especially Bunk Station here in Ella is a nice melting point.

I grabbed the chance when Rocem offered me a lift in her rented Tuktuk to the nearby UVA Halpewatte Tea Factory, which was on my list for the day. Rocem is one of the many youngsters exploring Sri Lanka with her own long-term rented Tuktuk. She is from London, roots in Turkey, solo travelling and does not like to drive the Tuktuk without someone joining. It became an adventure in itself and did not took too long until the Tourist Police and a Tuktuk specialist passing by had to help us out. The Tuktuk was a bit stubborn but we got it under control, finally. 😅

After my visit of the Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy I was up to explore a state of the art tea factory demonstrating the actual making of tea. It was quite interesting and included a panoramic view from the top of the factory building.

This smaller factory is specialised in making pure black tea only, no white, green or blended teas are produced. The process is highly manually between the different stages of production.

At the end of the guided tour a variety of tea samples could be tasted.

Fair winds…

Ella under the sun…

By Bernd

On January 17, 2025

In B(H)iking, Sri Lanka

5:45am, I put the alarm on snooze, the sun will be late, oh no, the tower clocks in this country are spot on. 15min later I was on the track to explore Little Adam‘s Peak. Despite facing a bit of a crowd up there on this nowadays rare clear morning, I managed to keep them out of my photos to capture another proof of this beautiful country. Wonder of Asia.

My short lunch walk took me to another tourist attraction here in Ella – the Nine Arches Bridge. Two trains passed through during my short visit requesting the crowd to give way and step a bit aside. The bridge only got completed in 1919 during the early years of British occupation, but surprisingly it’s build from stone rather than steel at that time.

Handpicking any of the delicious bananas will definitely result in a stay at the local hospital, after the steep fall.

Fair winds…

Nuwara Eliya 🚴‍♂️ Ella

By Bernd

On January 16, 2025

In B(H)iking, Sri Lanka

After another Rain & Relax Day I finally left Nuwara Eliya in the early morning hours under still wet conditions. Alex and his boys made our stay as comfortable as possible and the international hiker & biker community had a lot of time for exchange! These hostels are great socialising melting points me pushing the average age up!

At some stretches during today’s ride you can feel how beautiful the scenery here shall be, if the weather plays a bit more with you. 🙏 tomorrow.

Ella is very touristy, compared to what I have seen so far. 50% tourists on the streets, I would guess.

Fair winds…

Rain & Relax

By Bernd

On January 14, 2025

In Sri Lanka

My second rain day since arrival in Sri Lanka allowed for a walk exploring the town while keeping the umbrella ready at any time. It did also allow for some good rest on the sofa keeping the outside world at a safe distance while observing the scenic view from behind the window.

Our next scheduled ride is two days away.

Fair winds…

Ramboda 🚴‍♂️ Nuwara Eliya

By Bernd

On January 13, 2025

In B(H)iking, Sri Lanka

It kept pouring all night but stopped finally before the Muezzin started the call for the morning prayer! No rain, no excuse for me not to tackle the pass into Nuwara Eliya today, the second stage destination on this trip. My strength is not at its peak at the moment and I will keep taking it easy.

I started to get a glance of the beauty of this area, all known for its tea plantations. Hopefully the weather over the next few days will reveal more of “Sri Lanka‘s Wonders of Asia“.

Fair winds…