Gloriosa superba, Diyabubula, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

'Niyangala' - Sinhalese, 'Kandal' - Tamil, a plant bearing poisinous fruits. The flower looks glorious and is superb to look at.

A Shikra, Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

I saw this Shikra perched on a bough of a large tree situated between the Saman Dewale and the Kalu Ganga.

Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

I took this photo of a panoramic view of the rear of the Saman Dewale, Rathnapura.

Alupola waterfalls, Wewalwaththe, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The Alupola waterfalls lies close to the bridge crossing 'Pandy Oya' on the Wewalwaththe - Alup[ola road. It is about 21 miles from Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. The road passes through beautiful hilly country covered by tea and rubber estates. Click below to see a video of the waterfalls posted by me on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQy265llIZ8

Dehena Ella - waterfall, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Dehena Ella - waterfall is about 20Km from Rathnapura on the Rathnapura - Wewalwaththe road. It is surrounded by lush jungle and is by the side of the road. When there is heavy rain in the upper reaches it becomes a roaring torrent. Click on the link below to view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW4CgR7bFBc

Three pictures of a tusker (male elephant)

I took these pictures of a single tusker separated by a few minutes from each other.

Walking under the belly of an elephant, Sri Lanka.

Walking under the belly of an elephant to ward off the evil eye etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkXLcSsF9p8

A mountain stream, Alupola.

A peaceful mountain stream where all the cares and worries of a rushed life could be shed. One could listen to the sound of running water and feel the cool breeze on the body and be transported to another world where time stands still.

Tea factory and workers settlement, Wewalwaththe, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

A beautiful view of the tea factory and workers settlements at Wewalwaththe, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. I took this picture from the Alupola - Balakotunna, road at about 3 pm.

The Galaboda valley, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The distant hills covered by mist, seen across the Galaboda valley in Rathnapura is a place to halt and contemplate on.

Tea bushes on a hillside, Alupola Estate, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The lush greenery on the hillside with a stream running closeby is vividly seen in this picture.

Galaboda, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The view looking down across the valley from the Galaboda Estate, Rathnapura on a rainy day, is captured in this picture. The mist very often descends onto the road and makes driving difficult. The fresh air tinged with a slight chilliness made the view memorable.

Elephant on way to work.

The Alupola falls - all three stages.

The first and second cascades are obvious. The third stage starts just below the second and only the top of it is visible on the picture. The people on the bottom right hand corner give a perspective re the size of the falls.

Alupola water falls, second and third, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

I took this picture of the second and third parts of the cascade of the Alupola waterfalls. These are the two places for bathing and to have a chat over beer and lunch on rainless day. You have to climb over rocks to go to these places.

The Alupola falls, Alupola Estate, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The first of the three waterfalls in Alupola, is shown in this picture. This picture was taken during the dry season. On rainy days the volume of water is about ten times this and is muddy carrying the soil erded from the Walaboda region close to the Adam's peak area.

The Bambarabotuwa valley, Wewalwaththe, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The bambarabotuwa valley in the Alupola Estate, Rathnapura is a beautiful sight on a clear day. The Pandi Oya flowing down from the Alupola falls is seen in the bottom of the valley. Far away on the hills, the Wewalwaththe tea factory is seen. The air is clear and cold. No wonder the Scottish Planters who pioneered this area built a bungalow overlooking the valley and the Alupola water falls.

Alupola water falls, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

 

The Alupola falls has to be reached by a side road going from Wewalwathe 18 miles from Rathnapura on the Mawala - Hapugasthenne road. It is visible from the road and consists of three seperate waterfalls. The first is the tallest and is shaped like a chair, the second is like a bridal veil and the third is like a pregnant womans belly. It is a nice spot to have a picnic lunch. During the rainy season it is dangerous with the muddy water roaring down with driftwood and stones.