Kudiramalai Point

Kudiramalai  is a headland cape, point and ancient port town on the west coast of Sri Lanka. It was once a flourishing emporium of international trade and the capital of an ancient Kingdom based in Jaffna peninsula of the Naka, before the capital was moved to Nallur in the medieval period. Situated on the Gulf of Mannar's coast close to Silavaturai, the town has a shared history with the proximally located Karaitivu island, the ancient port town of Mannar and the historic and famous Thiruketheeswaram temple. Kudiramalai is the northernmost point of the Puttalam District, and proved to be a useful subsidiary southern port of Mannar in the classical period, serving the island's northern kingdoms of the Jaffna Peninsula and Vanni country as one of their southernmost border towns. It lies directly west across the Vanni from Trincomalee (Thiru-Konamalai), home of the historic Koneswaram temple. The shores from Kudiramalai point 20 km north up to Vankalai village formed the most famed pearl fishing banks in the classical and medieval eras.
Famous rulers of this land included Queen Alli Arasani, Chief Korran, his father Pittan, and Korran's contemporaries Chief Elini and Athiyamān Nedumān Añci (father/son duo) and Kumanan. Traders brought several horses in watercraft to the island during the Sangam period. The port was known as Hippuros to ancient Greeks (literal translation of Kudiramalai in Greek - Horse Mount/Hill) and finds mention in the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea of Ptolemy. Archaeological excavations have revealed Kudiramalai to have been a site of ancient habitation from the 1st century BCE-to the 7th century CE and later. Kudiramalai's ruins attract visitors from around the world. It is now a barren dry zone landscape, with red earth terrain typically seen in Northern and North Western Sri Lanka, and sand dunes once serving as sites of habitation.

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18 Bend Road (18 Wanguwa) Kandy - Mahiyanganaya

The renovated Colonial Era 18 Bend Road is highly attracted by tourists. There are many tourists are visiting several areas including Mahiyangana, with the opening of the renovated 18-hair-pin Bend Road.
The 18-bend road was constructed by the British colonial rulers in the mid-19th century as an estate supply route. It connects Kandy to Mahiyanganaya and stretches up to Padiyathalawa. The Road has been developed at a cost of 5000 million rupees. The region is being attracted by more tourists with the development effected to the road eliminating the hardships experienced earlier. Following the opening of this road, the percentage of local as well as foreign tourists frequenting it has increased by 50.
The road stretching from Udathenna in Meda-Mahanuwra to Vehera Ganthota in Hasalaka which is about 41 kilometres was developed. The Hasalaka Police claim that the number daily using the road which provides a picturesque view and for convenience has increased. The Observation Studio is reported to be filled with local and foreign tourists.
While the area is developing as a Tourism Zone, the damage inflicted to the environment is also on the increase. As such, the public ear eagerly called upon to adhere to proper strategies in discarding the litter and protecting the 18-hair-pin bend road for the posterity.

View from there

 Bird Eye View

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Pidirutalagala Mountain (8281 ft)

Pidurutalagala is the Sri Lanka's highest peak, also known as Mount Pedro, rises 2524m (8281ft) above sea level, immediately behind the Nuwara Eliya town.  Pidurutalagala Mountain Range is part of the central high lands of Sri Lanka witch is World Heritage Site of Sri Lanka.  Unfortunately, the path to the summit, which is the site of Sri lanka's main television transmitter and Radar system of Sri lanka Air Force and Civil Aviation Authority, is closed to visitors for security reasons. For a view of the summit and a superb panorama of the surrounding hills and plantations, you can walk to the top of the picturesquely named single Tree Mountain, south of town off the Badulla road, in about 90 minutes.

On the way

Misty Peak

View from half a way

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Gregory Lake - Nuwara Eliya

Gregory lake is located about one kilometer away from Nuwara Eliya town. The governor Gregory built it during the year 1874. It is believed that the main intention of building this lake is to generate electricity to the town.

It is one of the main tourist spots of the town. It’s a beautiful experience to see the sun set at one end and the lake at another. It’s a breathtaking view.  You can also go boating and rowing. The price to hire a boat is around Rs.1000/person. However, if you’re a foreigner, unfortunately you may be charged much more.

There are things to do around the lake. You can go for horse riding, we were charged around Rs.1000 for a big round around the lakeside. It’s probably cheaper for children. This is a good time to practice your negotiating skills :)

Went here in an evening. The view is really amazing. Can hire a bike for 100Rs and ride along the lake (about 1.5km). Cheap tickets as it's 100Rs only for a tourist and 30Rs for a local. Must see place if you visit Nuwara Eliya. 

What I enjoyed the most was the balloon ride in the lake, something I’d never seen anywhere else. They unzipped a huge plastic balloon, I went inside and they inflated the balloon. Finally, they pushed the balloon and I was floating in the lake. I felt I was in my own little secluded world, you can’t hear any noise from outside. I had to push my balloon to move. However, towards the end of the ride, I realized that my balloon had a tiny leak and my clothes got slightly wet! The other balloons didn't have this problem though.

Two children are usually allowed in one balloon. The cost of the balloon ride is Rs.1,500 per. person. Again, for foreigners, it might vary. Make sure that you leave all your valuables behind (watches, bangles, etc) if you want to go on the ride.

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