After leaving Maduwanwela, the road begins to climb steadily into the hills. The heat of the low country slowly disappears. Paddy fields give way to tea estates. Wisps of mist drift across the road, and the air turns cool enough for us to switch off the air conditioning and wind down the windows. Sooriyakanda has…
Tag: Asia
The Black Prince of Sabaragamuwa. Maduwanwela Walawwa Sri Lanka
Some weekends are about ticking places off a list. Others are about stumbling into stories. This was one of those weekends. We left Colombo on Saturday morning, heading towards our first destination, the legendary Maduwanwela Walawwa, one of Sri Lanka’s most fascinating aristocratic residences. As the roads narrowed and the scenery shifted from busy towns…
The Silence Between Mountains. Arankele Sri Lanka
After a hectic weekend climbing Dolukanda and visiting the haunting forest ruins of Ritigala, the drive back to Colombo needed one final stop. We were somewhat refreshed from the excellent full body massages the evening before, but our legs still carried the ache of two mountains, too little sleep, and far too many hours on rough trails. Yet…
Weekend at Great Western. Talawakelle Sri Lanka
I planned this as a glamping trip fully expecting comfortable tents and a bit of luxury in the hills. What I get is… not that. The setup is basic. Two tents come with proper beds, while another is just three mattresses laid out on the ground. No frills, no extras, no “glam.” But once the…
Fishing Cat February: Night Safaris in Colombo’s Urban Wetlands
Colombo is not a city most people associate with wildlife. But once the sun sets and the traffic fades, an entirely different world wakes up in the marshes around Diyasaru Park. As part of Fishing Cat February, we joined two late-night safaris exploring these wetlands — trading a comfortable Saturday night for muddy boardwalks, torchlight, and the…
In the Aftermath. A Traveller’s Reminisce. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has always been more than a destination to me. It has been a refuge, a companion, and the backdrop to some of my most cherished memories. For years, Mihipedia, together with many of you, has celebrated the magic of this island: hidden waterfalls, emerald highlands, sleepy coastal towns, and forest trails that feel…
Roadtripping. Dambulla Jaffna Mannar Kalpitiya Sri Lanka
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…
Unearthing the Forgotten Capital. Kotte Sri Lanka
There’s a quiet thrill in discovering history along streets I’ve driven past a hundred times. On this overcast Saturday morning, nine of us gather outside the Kotte Archaeological Museum, tucked along Kotte Road, ready to explore the remnants of a kingdom that ruled Sri Lanka long before Colombo rose to prominence – a city once known…
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…
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