 Flying over in an SLAF plane
The gorgeous sight of flying over Sri Lanka in a Sri Lanka Air Force
(SLAF) aeroplane is a wonderful way to get to Trincomalee in
double-quick time.
 Taking a joy ride in a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, it took about one
hour to reach the Morawewa Air Force base near Trinco. Along with the
high society ladies who are actually the beautiful wives of the
admirable SLAF men, media personalities were treated to a ride of a
lifetime. The fully airconditioned passenger craft has a seating
capacity of nearly 100 passengers. The pilot cockpit offers a scenic 180
degree view of the entire flying area.
Leaving the Ratmalana airport just at the break of dawn, we passed
the glorious SLAF museum as we rode in the special escort SLAF vehicle.
Stepping into the plane, we were excited about going to Trincomalee in
less than an hour compared to the arduous journey from Colombo in a
vehicle.
Take off was speedy and felt light as a feather as the wheels of the
plane locked back into flight position. Looking out of the plane bubble
window, the stupendous sight of Sri Lanka in glory and splendour
astounded us. Mother Nature has indeed blessed us but it’s sad that
we’ve taken it for granted. Over the aquamarine ocean, the gentle white
cream ripples reflect the sunlight like a glass cut at its sides.
 The mountainous plains of Nuwara Eliya in the Uva Province with its
lush green tea plantations look like a natural green carpet. The world
heritage site of Kandy can be seen vividly with the calm lake by the
Dalada Maligawa. The longest river in Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Ganga
could be seen flowing and streaming amazingly joining communities and
people together. From the bubble, we can see people who look like ants
and vehicles that look like toy cars.
The lovely lakes and lagoons have little ‘oru’ boats looking like toy
boats. Paddy fields can be seen over the plane like jigsaw puzzles
delicately fitted in carefully with the work of the farmers. The trees
yonder look like a marzipan decorated ribbon cake with different layers
of stone and sand making rocky mountains. If you’re lucky, you might see
the impressive dagobas faintly white in their magnificence in
Anuradhapura and the Great King Parakramabahu’s ‘Parakrama Samudra’. It
was a heavenly experience and we were a bit sad when our journey was
over but the memories are certainly sweet! |
