Beauty and romance of travel

Sri Lanka Travel Notes
Author: Rodney Widanapathirana
An author publication

Reviewed by R. S. Karunaratne

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.
- Francis Bacon

Travelling is such an essential part of human life that there are travel magazines, travel companies and travel agencies in many parts of the world. There were renowned travellers such as Marco Polo, Columbus and Wasco de Gama. Of course, they travelled looking for new countries. Today there is hardly any undiscovered country in the world. However, people travel today for various other purposes such as adventure, tourism and education.

Due to life's commitments most people are unable to travel however much they desire to do so. Even those who travel occasionally have popular destinations such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kataragama, Sri Pada and a few other places in Sri Lanka. Those who do not travel even occasionally invariably become armchair travellers. They read the National Geography and other travel magazines avidly.

Rodney Widanapathirana seems to have a passion for travel. Not only does he travel to distant places but also writes about them encouraging others to do so. This is borne out by his publications such as Travel Notes 1, 2, 3, Waterfall Sojourns and Vandana Charika. While travelling to popular destinations he does not fail to visit places others even do not think of doing so. His latest book Sri Lanka Travel Notes, translated into English by Gamini Akmeemana, amply proves this point.

Wooden bridge

Rodney's Travel Notes opens with an account of his visit to one of the oldest wooden bridges in the world. Surprisingly, it is located at Bogoda Raja Maha Vihara on the Bandarawela - Badulla road. The bridge has been built across the Gal Anda Oya which flows from Namunukula. The bridge is 50 feet in length, six feet in breadth and eight feet in height. It was built during the Kandyan period. The bridge serves two purposes: Devotees can visit the temple easily and it provides the shortest route from Badulla to Kandy.

In Chapter three the author takes you to the Morning Side Estate where the day is a perpetual mist-filled, dew-laden dawn. It is located on the Rakwana - Deniyaya highway. The estate received its name because of its extraordinary micro-climate. However, the estate with its unsurpassing natural beauty remains relatively unknown. According to the caretaker of the bungalow on the estate, it takes about three weeks to dry his clothes as there is no direct sunshine!

Rodney has met many interesting people during his travels. He describes one of them in chapter five. A man nicknamed “Kele John” had been living in a cave for more than 45 years. At the age of 71, he had been tapping toddy, making kithul jaggery and selling them. During the pilgrimage season he had received clothes and food from pilgrims.

Marble reservoir

The author's account of Nil Garunda Gala is fascinating because most of us have never heard of such a place. Nil Garunda Gala is supposed to be the largest marble reservoir in Asia. It is located in Nuwara Eliya. According to the author, visitors are in the habit of taking away large chunks of the marbles. As usual, vandals are at work.

The author's visit to the New Zealand Farm is another memorable account. The farm started in 1972 as part of the Ambewela Farm received 500 dairy cows from New Zealand. The farm produces one of the best cheese which has a great demand from foreigners and tourist hotels. The cheese was first produced in a Dutch village as a cottage industry. In addition, potatoes are cultivated in the farm which is supposed to be at the highest elevation from the sea level.

The World's End at Horton Plain is a well-known tourist destination. Rodney, however, has visited the Little World's End at Lunugala. The World's End descends 3,500 feet and the Little World's Ends descends 2500 feet.

While we visit places of natural beauty for relaxation and entertainment, we tend to forget to take any notice of people who lead difficult lives in such places. The author's account of suffering people of charming Knuckles is an eye-opener. Once he had visited Meemure, an undeveloped village where even basic amenities were not found. The village has no dispensary or transport facilities. Youngsters are eager to leave the village for greener pastures.

There are many more travel notes which are interesting for anyone to read and enjoy. However, any book on travel should carry pictures of the places the author describes. Pictures not only add authenticity to the story but also enhance the value of the book.