Aug 31st, 2009 - Nuwara Eliya in my rear view. Adam's Peak in my cross-hairs. Made my way to the small village of Dalhousie from where I would make my ascent to one of the holiest sites in Sri Lanka. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians all have a stake in this mountain. Also known as Sri Pada, 'Sacred Footprint', the small rock formation at the summit is reputed to be the place where Adam, Buddha, or Shiva (depending your affiliation) left his divine print.
However,
my favorite appellation is Samanalakande (‘Butterfly Mountain’),
the place where butterflies go to die. I believe it is much more
fitting at this time of year considering the weather and complete
lack of people. Butterfly Mountain has been a place of pilgrimage for
over a thousand years. The season runs from December to May and can
get absurdly busy when the devout line the trail. This is not a
problem at this time of year where you are almost guaranteed to be
one of only a few folks on the mountain. Unfortunately, there is high
probability that you will get a superb view of the inside of a cloud.
I
arrived in Dalhousie fairly early in the afternoon so I decided to do
a bit of meandering. Per the advice of a local I went out in search
of a waterfall. Ever wander through a Sri Lankn tea plantation
(without permission) situated on a lake in an attempt to get a photo
of a dramatic water fall on the other side of said lake? Highly
recommended. Tea plantations are rather picturesque plots of land,
especially when adjacent to a lake. Not a bad way to spend an
afternoon. I have a feeling the local denizens do not see many white
folk on motorcycles come cruising along the small roads that weave
within the plantation.
