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…