There are friendships that don’t need warming up, reminders, or those polite “we really must catch up” messages. With Fiona and Kumi, it’s always been simple: make a plan, start the car and go. For us three friends, who once “flew the friendly skies,” our November getaway is practically a standing date. So there we…
Tag: Adventure
Glory of Strobilanthes. Horton Plains Sri Lanka
Some journeys don’t simply take you somewhere—they return you to something lost. Silence. Wonder. The reminder that nature still works to its own ancient rhythm. This journey gave us all of that briefly caught in bloom. There were eight of us, bundled in layered jackets and sleepy smiles as we stepped out of Clouds 1939 by…
Rails, Tea, and Hidden Hills. Beragala Sri Lanka
There’s a quiet kind of magic in leaving the familiar behind. For six friends seeking to shed city rhythms on another Mihipedia Getaway, Beragala offered exactly that – rolling mists, emerald tea slopes, and the comforting feeling of being slightly lost in time. Our home for two nights was a beautiful hillside house belonging to…
Ancient Monasteries at Rajagala. Ampara Sri Lanka
We left Colombo at the crack of dawn, ten of us spanning generations from 19 to 85. The city was still half asleep as we drove out. Ampara was nearly 450 kilometers away – a long drive that carried us through ever-shifting landscapes: sleepy towns, sun-baked paddy fields, and stretches of road that felt endless until the…
Riverston Revisited. Illukkumbura Sri Lanka
Third time’s the charm. That’s what I kept reminding myself as we wound our way up to Riverston in Illukkumbura, the road curling through valleys that, for once, seemed in no rush to slip behind clouds. Two nights and three days here lay ahead, and I had unfinished business — to climb Manigala at last…
Govinda Hela: The Forgotten Fortress. Siyambalanduwa Sri Lanka
Hidden in the far reaches of Siyambalanduwa, where the land grows wild and time feels suspended, stands a sleeping giant — Govinda Hela. A monolithic rock scarred by centuries of history, crowned by drifting clouds, and whispered about in legend. During the colonial era, the British called it “Westminster Abbey”, not for any religious connection, but because its…
From River Valley to Crane Country. Gangtey Bhutan
It’s Day 03 of our ride, and we’ve still not hit the halfway mark. The journey through Bhutan is slower than expected—but not in a bad way. Everyday brings new experiences and memories to keep for a long time. We rolled out of Punakha early this morning, reluctantly packing up after an indulgent night at our resort….
The Last Shangri-La and Its Sacred Climb. Paro Bhutan
There are airport landings—and then there’s Paro. Nestled in a narrow valley flanked by towering Himalayan ridges, Paro International Airport is one of the most dangerous and visually spectacular runways in the world. Only eight specially trained pilots are certified to land here, navigating between 5,500-meter peaks using only visual guidance. No autopilot. No instrument landing system. Just raw skill…
Scenic Views and Surroundings. Pekoe Trail 17. Hali Ela Sri Lanka
We kicked off Stage 17 of the Pekoe Trail just after 6:20 a.m., fueled by excitement, good company, and the cool, sweet air of Demodara. But before taking even one step, we paused for a bit of Sri Lankan magic: the moment the iconic blue train snaked its way (sharp on time at 6:24 a.m.),…
The Soul of Sembuwatta. Elkaduwa Sri Lanka
After a couple of hours of twisting uphill from Kandy, we finally arrived at what felt like the edge of a storybook, Sembuwatta Lake. Tucked away in Elkaduwa, Matale, and perched at a breezy 1,084 meters above sea level, Sembuwatta is one of those places that makes you pause, and remember how beautiful Sri Lanka…
