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| Sunday, 11 September 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Expedition
into the wild
by Chanuka Mannapperuma
A thick forest, where, giant trees and bushes are all you can see. The forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery, and it is a home to a wide variety of birds, beasts, reptiles and plants. But first you've got to deal with leaches. The best thing would be is to ignore them! How would it be to spend two nights in a camp inside the forest. We were on a tour organised by the World Travel Centre, Colombo, a well-known travel organisation. We got into a comfortable bus on Saturday morning from Colombo and started our journey. As soon as we were in the bus, an assistant from the World Travel briefed us on our journey. We are to stay two nights in a camp site on the Sinharaja border which included trekking inside this huge forest and bird watching too. By noon, we were at the camp site arranged by World Travel in association with Eco Team (a team consisting of 6 persons).
Time is running... In the evening, we strolled half way along the route running into the deep jungle and came back. After an early dinner, we went to sleep, planning for tomorrow's adventure. The camp site comprises six to eight tents which could accommodate more than 20 guests at a time. Only eco friendly materials had been used for building this camp site, which lasts for over one week and thereafter, they remove it and come back after a few weeks, to entertain new guests. On the second day, we woke up to the chirping of birds. Fresh air which hugged our bodies, gave us a new day. In the morning, we had a bath in the brook was almost freezing, but made ua lively. Breakfast had been prepared by using fresh fruits and light local foods. Of course, it was different to what we had on other days, there is freshness. Around eight-a-clock, we started to walk into the deep black, thick forest. We did not feel tired, because inside the forest it was cool and shady. The entrance to the forest is a bumpy ride, on roads that do not even qualify as tracks. The Forest Department does not mind as it keeps the natural charm of the wildness, as paved roads would turn it into just another resort. It would be better to walk. But then again, you've got plenty of walking to do once you enter the forest. Entering the forest is a thrilling experience,which is quite unlike anything you've felt before. The overwhelming sense is one of greenness, a dark forbidding blanket of green stretching as far as the eye could see and beyond. Beyond the Research Education Extension Centre, which is about three km into the forest, no vehicles are allowed. Not even a bicycle. "You have to leave nothing but your footprints," was the advice of our trekker. But walk a little deeper and your senses begin to align themselves. You hear the distant tinkling of the hidden water falls, the twitter of birds, the smiles of orchid flowers the nestling of leaves, sudden absolute stillness. It could be the new age mood music. The ideal time for a trek is at dawn. For it is then that you can espy the many varieties of birds that are endemic to the country. According to the statistics of Sinharaja Information Centre, 140 of the 380 species of birds known to Sri Lanka are found here. Nineteen species are endemic. Of popular interest are the Blue Magpie, Red Face Malkoha, Green Billed Coucal, etc. The average height of the trees are between 35 to 40 meters and some individuals rise to 50 metres. Most trees are endemic to Sri Lanka. Man has rapidly penetrated the seemingly inaccessible wildness of this forest, which once covered more than 100,000 hectares of land in the South Western hills and low lands. For the maiden visitors there is quite a lot to see. Primarily, Sinharaja is a tropical rain forest with a dense tall stand of trees, steep and rugged hills etched by numerous streams and rivulets. The forest is also home to a wide variety of butterflies, fish, reptiles and mammals. At sunset, we walked back to our camp site late in the evening with memories of a lifetime and as our trekker said "only pictures" would remind us later. It is lovely to stay at our camp site this evening too. On the same day, night falls...the light of candles gives us a pleasant atmosphere while the roaring flames of the bonfire provides us warmth. We were first treated with a hot-sweet soup. It gave us strength to gain back our normal heart-beat after the long walk. The dinner followed by a hot barbecue. We enjoyed the barbecue on a chilly night when dawn fell upon us. The cold night did not deter our members of the day's journey, engaged in various conversation and some murmuring popular songs without disturbing the silence of the surroundings. On the third morning, we were ready to come back to our homes. I felt that the few days inside the Sinharaja were an experience of a lifetime. World Travel Centre while organising the tour had a well laid down plan for their guests from the beginning to the end. They were punctual and accommodating. When we asked about their future plans they said that they have several
other tours both inbound and outbound. If anyone is interested they could
contact World Travel Centre through www.wtccolombo.com |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Ever thought of hiding in a forest to get away from the hustle and bustle
of city life and to return where our forefathers once used to live, ever so
happily? 
Within a few minutes a hot lunch was prepared by using village foods, was
served. After lunch we impatiently jumped into the brook. 
