“This is a waterfall worth chasing”. This was my first thought as I stepped out of our stuffed van, forgetting all about being shoved against the door for most of our drive by my hyperactive siblings. Only the densest person would remain annoyed when faced with the sight in front of me. I was suddenly immensely glad that I agreed to this spontaneous trip to the beautiful little town called Ella.
Ella is a town in the Badulla District of the Uva Province. The name translates to ‘waterfalls’ and just like I mentioned before it is definitely worth chasing. It is the paradise of our country and should not be missed out on.
Throughout my visit, I was surrounded by rolling hills covered with misty cloud forests and lush tea plantations. I could hear squawks, hoots, and howls from various directions bringing into mind the numerous fauna and flora I had learnt in my Science courses at university. Different smells permeated through my nostrils. The odour of fragrant flowers greeted us at every corner of this quaint town and I couldn’t help but keep breathing in the clean air. It was very different from the city I live in. Coming from a bustling metropolis, Ella was like coming to a whole new country.
I was stunned speechless when I set my eyes on all the popular attractions of Ella. The Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak, Lipton’s Seat, Ravana Falls, Diyaluma Falls, and not to forget the Nine Arch Bridge were just a few of the beauties we visited during our trip. I am stoked to share the endless beauty of Ella with all of you.
We left early in the morning after a day’s rest and headed to the Nine Arch Bridge. I gazed out of the window of the jeep we rented just for sightseeing and was greeted by the warmth and radiance of the rising sun. As we neared the bridge, I clenched my thighs in excitement. Alighting from the vehicle my siblings and I rushed to the platform erected among the trees to get a better view of the bridge.
I distinctly remember shouting a loud ‘wow’ at the first sight of the majestic bridge. Thankfully we were the first ones to arrive so I didn’t embarrass myself and we got an unrestricted view. And, what a sight it was! The arches were covered by low hanging clouds and the dew-covered tea leaves were blinking in the filtered sunlight lending a mystical aura to the bridge. Memories of seeing pictures of the bridge and thinking it fit perfectly in the Harry Potter books flooded my brain. The train racing to Hogwarts on the Nine Arch Bridge was a crystal clear image in my mind!
Our visit to the Nine Arch Bridge came to a perfect 360 with the amazing facts we learnt about it. One fact that still remains in my head is that this bridge was built entirely out of brick, rock, and cement. No metal was used in its construction – a feat of engineering especially a hundred years ago!
Our next stop was the famous Ella Rock. Our goal was to climb to the summit of this rock for it boasts a view over Ella, Little Adam’s Peak, and Ella Gap and we succeeded! The view at the summit was truly spectacular but the sights we passed on our hike were memorable as well. With a ripe king coconut, some snacks, and lots of water in hand we hiked past tumbling waterfalls, bridges, verdant tea plantations, and even some homes. But, the brick and metal structures did nothing to fade the beauty of nature.
Another hill to hike is the Little Adam’s Peak. This is not as strenuous as the Ella Rock hence it’s ideal for those who just want to stretch their legs a little like my grandparents. Named after its much taller older brother, the Little Adam’s Peak is surrounded by lush tea plantations at its base. As you walk higher, you will have a 360view of the giant Ella rock, Ella Gap and the Udawalawe National Park. This was what motivated me to hike this hill when I was ready to fall asleep with fatigue. As you continue further the views keep getting more and more spectacular. The return route followed the opposite side of the mountain and we had an amazing view of the 98 Acres resort. I can assure you that the photographs are completely worth the hike.
Diyaluma Falls was also unforgettable. In my opinion, this waterfall together with the Nine Arch Bridge and the Ella rock form a golden trio. None of these should be missed especially if the waterfall is among the top three highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Coming in second at 220 m, the deafening rush of water felt heavenly on our sweaty skin. Apart from the cooling effect, the view from the top and the natural infinity pools make the tedious journey totally worth it.
Ella also boasts a smaller but equally magnificent waterfall called Ravana Falls. This is found just outside Ella but it has to be included in your itinerary for its mesmerizing history. According to local legend, King Ravana kidnapped Princess Sita and secretly hid her in the forest-covered caves behind the waterfall to avenge his sister, whose nose was cut off by Rama, Sita’s husband. This tale attracted me as much as the beautiful waterfall did.
I have to add that a trip to the waterfalls is absolutely perfect for all the thrill-seekers. One thing the waterfalls do not have is safety barriers. So for all those who love to stand on the edge of a steep drop (unlike me), this is a dream come true!
Our final destination was a place my school always took us on during field trips. It was the tea factory! I had faint memories of walking through the pungent rooms carrying a pen and notebook, studiously writing down everything I heard only to lose the book or never open it again. But I never forgot the taste of the strong tea we were always given. Being an avid drinker of tea, I was always proud of the fact that tea is so synonymous with our country. And Lipton is synonymous with tea, so the Lipton Seat was an obvious destination.
The Lipton Seat is the famous seat of the entrepreneur and tea mogul, Sir Thomas Lipton. It was a pleasure to experience a part of his life and I could easily imagine him sitting and keeping an eagle eye on his extensive tea plantation as he sipped on some of the best tea to ever be brewed. I tried to copy him but I am pretty sure he is laughing at my poor impersonations. At least his love for tea is still living on.
After all the sightseeing and hiking, the last activity we experienced thankfully took us off our feet. We zip-lined down the adrenaline spiking, half a kilometre long zip-line aptly named the ‘Flying Ravana’. My twin and I, being seasoned zip-liners flew across the green hills of Ella, feeling just like birds set free, which is not an exaggeration at all. It was well and truly the most exhilarating ride we have been on and it is yet to be topped. Maybe one day it will, but until then the memories of this trip will linger in my mind.
By Rtr. Amrah Izadeen
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This makes me long to go there one day, when times are better. I don’t even know if I can wait for that long so maybe now’s the time