By Keshiya Leitch
Long weekends, Long weekends and MORE long weekends in 2013!
We were down the seventh long weekend on the Sri Lankan calendar, the weekend commemorating the delightful festival of lights, Vesak. For the uninitiated, Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.
Along with Vesak came the cozy chilly weather in most parts of the island. It simply encouraged most people to laze around at home, cuddled up, watching movies over a cup of hot chocolate or tea complemented by a plate of sizzling peppered beef curry and ‘Roast Paan’ (Sri Lankan flatbread toasted in right amounts). Ah Bliss! That didn't sound too bad either.
However the crazy weather didn't dampen our spirits to hit the road and head to the sensual hills of Kandy.
Kandy, the last Kingdom of our island and an iconic citadel in its own right, where once great kings ruled and where nature, art and architecture flourished. This is the Capital of the hill country steeped in cultural heritage and natural beauty, set amidst historic monuments, enchanting forests, great rivers and breath-taking vistas of picturesque mountains and valleys.
There is something about the city of Kandy today that has a certain magic, a mystery and an aura of the past that still resonates in every nook and cranny of this quaint city of old-world charm.
We needed an ideal retreat for rest, relaxation and a good time in a peaceful setting. Amongst the panoramic hills in Kandy, we discovered a hill station located approximately 10 minutes away from Kandy making it wonderfully cool and a delightful break from the insane heat we've witnessed over the last couple of months.
Mahakanda sits atop the mountainous side of the hill country. This makes it very beautiful and serene but can be very challenging to commute up the hills.
Passing the lush greenery which serenades the Peradeniya University with glistening streams flowing in across, our stop for accommodation was a pearl on the hills, if I’m to be metaphoric. A fine spot to spend a vacation on the hills. The simple architecture and highly hospitable caretakers were a breath of fresh air for our two night vacation.
We had the privilege of reserving the entire bungalow, and privacy for the group of 10 was guaranteed. The caretakers were given all the provisions for our meals during the stay and they ensured we spent a chore free weekend (Phew).
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We made it for lunch and the journey only enhanced the appetite for a steamed basmati rice accompanied by a silky dark chicken curry, a rich hearty dhal curry, rustic devilled potatoes and crispy Papadam (thin, crisp disc-shaped food based on a seasoned dough made from gram flour, and deep fried). Sluuuurp…..
Well the trip wasn’t entirely CHORE-FREE. There’s always that guy/girl who’d like to step out of vacation mode and enter domestic bliss. Well we had a couple of them who voluntarily cooked, cleaned and also made a cup of Joe, occasionally.
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Casual chats and an occasional laugh over a cup of hot Ceylon tea livened up our time by the cemented picket fences, which brought about a subtle colonial feeling. We spent a couple of hours in the mountains exploring the area by car. I couldn’t stop smiling as I gazed out the windows in awe. The mountains are just so incredible. You truly can’t feel a thing but joy and a sense of all being right with the world.
The idyllic chilly nights, loud music, air guitar mishaps, crazy dance moves, gentle comedy within the group, sizzling bbq , mellow dramatic moments, a sing song session on the cement bench and the delectable food gave us the best getaway you could ask for.
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Mahakanda is quite a backpacker haven. Hiking tracks are just few metres away from the bungalow and you could hop in a tuk tuk (Three wheeler) and head to the Kandy town for some shopping or maybe to grab a bite. You might want to buy your essentials in advance from Peradeniya or Kandy to avoid driving or walking all the way from Mahakanda in the middle of the night looking for Panadols or a blanket!
Recovering from a stellar weekend on the hills was quite challenging but kudos to a freakin’ weekend!!!!
Must Haves:
A big blanket
A camera
A book (if you’re travelling alone, don’t bother if you aren’t)
Must Sees:
Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak
Dalada Maligawa (temple of the tooth relic)
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
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