Knuckles, Sri Lanka

By friday evening I was more than looking forward to my two nights/three day getaway to the Knuckle's range, about 50 kms from Kandy. Last minute pot doesn't come easy, nor does it come cheap. After meeting a guy who met another guy, who politely informed us that there wasn't any jah in his hood, we hopped a three-wheeler and headed for a different hood where we met another guy. The dealer didn't seem too happy about selling his shit, but nevertheless agreed to sell, but at ten rupees extra. I paid for the shit, shoved it in my pocket and headed toward the Coffee stop to meet an impatient she-friend who kept threatening to leave if I didn't show up in the next two minutes. Rob and Stu were having a beer at Cheers pub, so the friend and I headed down to join them.

The guys came over for breakfast on Saturday morning. All four of them, especially Rob and Stu seemed to have enjoyed my mom's kiribath and curry. We left soon after breakfast, so that we'd be able to reach our destination in time for lunch. After experiencing the new multi-story carpark in Kandy and buying booze and other stuff we needed, we headed up the A26 toward Hunnasgiriya. A left turn on to Lulawatta Road revealed a long and bumpy ride to our destination. I had in mind views of green mountains and tea estates, clouds and beautiful sunrises, but I certainly wasn't ready for what I was seeing, as I drove along the narrow and winding path. The views were simply breathtaking. I've been around this country, to a few places that are simply too beautiful to explain, but this was the first time I saw nature, un-touched by humans for at least fifty years, un-poluted by smoke or garbage, birds and animals co-existing with the few people who lived in that area. This was heaven on earth. The more we drove into the mountains and away from the A26 the prettier the surroundings became.

We arrived at the place we were staying at around three in the afternoon. Corbet's view was located on the top of a small mountain, surrounded by spectacular views, the kind we almost never see. Everywhere you looked, whichever way you turned, all you saw was mountains covered in forests untouched by man. I took several photographs, but in my opinion none of them do justice to the splendid view.

We had lunch and just walked around the house for a bit before it started raining. We sat on the porch overlooking yet another huge mountain, sipping our drinks. There was absolute silence when we stopped talking. One could only hear the sound or rain clattering against the roof and howling of the strong wind. It colder as the night progressed and we moved inside, drank some more and smoked some pot. Two bottles and a few joints later we were drunk enough to go to bed.

I woke up early, to take pictures of the most amazing sunrise I'd ever seen. The entire valley below the house was awash in golden sunlight. Dark mountains in the background towered over the valley, making it seem as though I was staring a gigantic painting. After breakfast we went for a swim at a beatiful waterfall. Seems like not many people come there, no polution, no plastic bags, just the way nature should be.

We got back in time for lunch. After a hefty meal, I hit the sack for a bit. It had started to rain by the time I got up, so we just sat around chatting and having a few drinks and taking little naps etc.

I noticed later on that the whole time I was there, I didn't think about anything. Colombo, work, parents other stuff, nothing. Absolute bliss. Relaxation to the core. Retreat by definition.

I got back to Colombo on Monday evening. The whole weekend seemed like it never happened. Was tired and I slept a lot.

Back at work, I heard that according to someone, I've gotten a girlfriend. Interesting, I wonder why I am not made aware of these things. Must be like the time I banged two girls in the back of a car outside Cascades. Again someone forgot to tell me about this and I am quite dissapointed that I missed it. Back to work and am wishing I could go live up there in the mountains, away from everything. The leach bite that's itching reminds me that the trip was real and that I was NOT dreaming.

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