2nd Jan – On route to Ella with a quick climb before departure

Today were off to Ella which is about 3 hours away. Jocelyne has a few days left of her trip so instead of heading straight back to the capital she is going to tag along with me and my driver for a little adventure in Ella. My driver has sold the place to us saying it’s not to be missed.

The time in Nuwara Eliya was great but largely consisted of a heavy drinking night and a little wondering around the town. So we wanted to something a little more meaningful before we set off for Ella, so we got a guide to take us up a famous view point called One Tree Mountain.

[VIDEO OF HIKE]

The views from the top were fantastic, the only problem our legs were still hurting from the climb up Adams Peak the night before. Unknown to me at the time Jocelyne had also clambered onto the ledge I found at the top of Adams Peak and was one person away from me watching the sunrise from almost the same spot, it’s a small world!

So aching and hurting we hurried back to the hotel to check out and then headed for Ella; pleased we got the hike in before we left! Ella is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by vast peaks either side, the temperature is a lot cooler in the evenings too.

- GUEST HOUSE AND VALLEY

After sorting out our rooms we got some lunch and set off on yet another trek, this time up a peak called ‘Little Adams Peak’ – a smaller version of what we climbed for New Years. It still took ages and was really steep, yet all the same, the views from the top were well worth the effort getting there.

- THE RESULTS OF THE CLIMB

[VIDEO ON TOP]

We saw a waterfall over the other side of the valley and decided it would be well worth checking out and hopefully swim in the pool below it. We got back, had even more rice and curry, a load more Arrack and got some kip ready for the little adventure to the waterfall tomorrow.

31st Dec – On route to Adams Peak and the long journey through the mountains

We left Sigiriya early in the morning setting off for the 5 ½ hour drive to Sri Pada (Adams Peak) I can’t quite believe I’m actually going to be doing something that was only a far fetched idea a few months ago. It just shows you if you actually want something to happen, it can if you put your mind to it. Lets hope it will be a new years to remember and not just because I’ll be sober for a change!

[VIDEO ON WAY IN CAR]
[PHOTO OF THE CLIMB]

The journey to Adams Peak took us through the Hill Country regions with ever steeper paths and winding bends cut into the sides of the mountains. Occasionally my heart was in my mouth when we got a little too close to the edge and all I can see was what looked like an infinite drop into the valleys below. The scenery was breathtaking and the 5 ½ hour journey once again passed quickly without a moment of being bored.



- THE 'SLIGHTLY CHILLED GUEST HOUSE', ADAMS PEAK

I was staying at the ‘Slightly Chilled’ Guest House at the foot of Adams Peak. I got chatting to quite a few people staying there with the same intentions as myself, to see the New Year in from the summit. Again it was great to learn how and why other people ended up doing the same thing as me.

I took the advice to get some sleep before the climb and set off about 2am so I will be able to reach the top to see the sun rise. So technically I was asleep for New Year here in Sri Lanka but I’m still on UK time which means I’ll be seeing the new year in as the sun is coming up.

[VIDEO AT START OIF CLIMB]

- A FEW LIGHTS SHOW THE WAY TO THE PEAK

The climb was bloody hard and nothing like I expected. It was a fascinating experience, passing pilgrims singing religious songs, families and the odd tourist with the same intentions as myself. Everyone I met along the way were so friendly, there were many happy new year wishes shared on the way up and on the way down.

[VIDEO PILGRIMS SINGING]

So after the 5247 steps (I’m not sure quite how they count the boulders, rocks and paths as steps) I reached the summit. By then I was so hot and tired and the cold temperature and winds at the top were refreshing - for a while. Then it got pretty cold and I put a few layers of cloths on ready to sit it out, waiting for the sun to rise on 2009.

- PILGRIMS SHELTERING AND WAITING FOR THE SUNRISE

It was quite a surreal experience wondering around the temple at the top. The pilgrims from all religions come to see the ‘footprint’ at the top of the peak. Its said to be the footprint of Buda, Adam (Adam and Eve) or whoever else is your religion – not sure who is right? There were hundreds of people waiting at the top, huddled so tightly together in small rooms. There were also groups of people huddled around fires at the top, as well as people just standing about waiting. Everyone up there was very friendly; I wasn’t long between new conversations being started. There are so many interesting stories to be heard and I listened to a fair few.

After I worked out where the east was I looked for a good spot and there was nowhere too great, in the end I climbed around a fence and got onto a ledge at the front of the temple overlooking the valleys and had the perfect view ready for the sunrise. I was seriously lucky to get this spot, away from the hundreds of other people, but then you do make your own luck!

- PHOTOS AT THE TOP

- THE SHADDOW CAST BY ADAMS PEAK ON THE OTHER SIDE

[VIDEO AT TOP]

well I don’t need to say too much about the sunrise its self, only that it was an experience I don’t think I will forget any time soon and I don’t think there is a better way to see the new year in.

I made a fairly rapid descent back down, a lot easier that going up and a good opportunity to get a little exercise in after eating curry 24/7! As soon as I got back I got some sleep and was ready to set off for Nuwara Eliya, the hill country and the tea plantations.