ELLA TO YALA

Today is Jens birthday, happy birthday Jen and our driver wishes you a happy birthday. He is a great guy. We have been thinking of you all day. I didn't write anything yesterday as we just travelled from Ella to Yala.

When we arrived in Bella yesterday afternoon we checked into our hotel called  Ella 98 Acres. Beautiful setting high up in the hills. Unfortunately not long after we settled in these afternoon heavy rains came in so that was the end of exploring for the day. We only had one night there whereas two nights would have been better as there are lots of walks and exploring to do. However we sat out the wet afternoon and got up at 6.00am to fit in everything that we could before our pickup at 11.00am. Very busy morning climbing Mini Adams Peak, got back for breakfast, then straight out again to walk to the Nine Arches Bridge which took just under one hour to get there. All down a steep hill to get to the railway track then we had to get back again up the same steep hill.Then back to hotel for a shower before our 11.00am pick up to travel to Yala. We must have walked miles and miles....

Our room which had the amazing views once we saw it this morning when we woke up to a great day.

This was the bad weather creeping in as soon as we arrived yesterday.

It got thicker and thicker until we couldn't see a thing with the heavy rain. This is the pattern this time of year as the areas we have been in over the last few days are starting their monsoon season. Beautifull mornings then the clouds build up in the afternoons with heavy rain.



Then it all starting clearing again.

We can now see Ella Rock. This one is far too high for us to climb. But we will climb Mini Adams Peak tomorrow morning first thing.



Restaurant and bar 



When we came back from dinner the room service had been in and pulled down net curtains which had been tied up. They tuck them into the mattress. PT is in behind them. Didn't think that he would sleep under it but just as well as we then realised that it was more for these big flying moths and moz.

Next morning, woke up to this beautiful sunrise so knew we could do all the activities before our pick up at 11.00am.

Leaving the hotel at 6.00am we headed for our climb up Mini Adams Peak, no it's not the above this is Ella Rock again (without cloud) far too high for us but people are doing it. The rock is very high as half of it you cannot see as it is down behind the ridge you can see in front of it. That ridge is we're we headed to to climb Mini Adams Peak as the sun was coming up. You can work out the two mountains in the below picture.



Took this picture from our balcony now you can see our view. Far left the valley in the distance is Ella Valley which runs right up behind the two hills.

Left hill is Mini Adams Peak and the right is Ella Rock in the close up picture above. The woodern railing in front is our balcony so you can see what a magic place this is. Nice to be in a slightly cooler climate to what we have been having. Although when you start climbing hills it still feels very hot.

Made it, we are now on top of Mini Adams Peak. Looking down over Ella Valley, fantastic area. Need more than one night here but that's just the way it is.

From the top looking over to Ella Rock. Looks small but it is much higher than where we are standing.

Sitting on the edge a long way down there.

Looking over to our Hotel,  individual 'huts' which I will explain latter. The top row is where we walked from this morning up to the top where we are now. Just magic up here.

Zoomed in from the hill, our unit is the downstairs one in the first block in the row of units. Sitting right in the edge of the hill.

A couple of tourists still on top of the hill Ella Rock behind us. There is a deep valley between us and the Rock. Long way down.

To give you an idea how the units work. There is one on top of us. You walk down the side of the unit to get in. You can see how it cantilevers out right over the edge of the hill. Sitting on the deck the hill drops right away under us but fantastic views.

This one shows how the deck hangs over. Great views.

Looking out from our room looking over the Ella Valley hills to our right. (Not in picture.)

Swing round to the view of the hills. Mini Adams Peak to the left which we climbed to the top where we took all the view photos.

Having breakfast looking over the hills.



Now we are on our big walk to see The Nine Arches Bridge. If the train comes we will have to move quick. Just walked down a steep hill to get to the rail. At this stage was wondering how we were going to climb back up in time for our pick up. Will reveal that later.

After nearly an hours walk from the hotel there it was The Nine Arches bridge which is between Ella  and Demodara railway stations. It is one of the most iconic bridges in Sri Lanka and is one of the best examples of British railway constructions when Ceylon was yet a colony of the British Empire. No steel re inforcing in the construction.



When we reached it we walked across. Then had to decide how will we get back to the hotel up that high hill. Saw some Tuk Tuk's at the end so decided we would have to take our chances and get a ride back with one of them

We went back a different way as by now we had crossed the bridge. Here we are tearing across these very narrow rough as roads. This is us trying to squeeze past this other TukTuk coming the other way.



Bit dark but this is PT and the driver and his TukTuk.



By now we had got back to the hotel. Had a shower and sat back with a coffee on our deck taking in the views of this little gem of Sri Lanka. Before we knew it 11.00am had arrived to be picked up and now on our way to Yala.  Stopped at the Ratana Falls. Really high crashing down. More impressive than it looks.

Our driver Mali took this selfie for us in front of the falls.

We finally arrived at Yala. It took awhile for our room to become available as a bit of a muck up with room. They  were trying to put us in a standard room but on our booking form it said delux room. Apparently the company made an error. Mali, the driver got onto them and screenshot my copy and they then agreed to pay the difference. This is where it is good to have a driver looking after you. If any problems he will always be there to protect us in anyway. He works hard for us for very little money.  This blog has been posted very late as just been too busy. I will try and get another one away tonight or first thing tomorrow.