Ebipụtara: 05.09.2018
So, after Jonas wrote the last entry, here comes something from me today. Jonas has already said everything about train travel in Sri Lanka, my version would have been much more negative. I can only say that I was extremely relieved when we finally arrived in Ella at our accommodation, and the last two days were the worst of the entire trip and a real test for our relationship. But we wouldn't have made it this far if we couldn't handle it =)
As Jonas mentioned, the small village of Ella is located in the middle of the mountains, and finally it was pleasantly cool. We even took out our rain jackets from the depths of our backpacks after ages. We rented a scooter and explored the surroundings. In the morning, we went on a great hike to the Little Adam's Peak and enjoyed moving around again, which we didn't have much chance to do in the last few weeks due to the heat. Yes, the heat is something that is currently strongly affecting my mood. We walk 10 meters in the sun and we're immediately soaked in sweat. Sometimes I don't even feel like looking at anything anymore because it's just too hot. In addition, my stomach doesn't really like the heat either, and I can spend hours on the toilet. Maybe we should fulfill Jonas' dream and take a trip to the South Pole^^
Well, at least we spent the days relaxing in a cool restaurant on beanbags, enjoying delicious food, beer, and playing cards. In the evening, we went to the famous 'Nine Arches Bridge', which looks really impressive with its nine arches in this landscape. Unfortunately, we missed the train that passed by just 2 minutes before us, and we could only quickly take a picture from above.
Overall, Sri Lanka is somewhat different from what I imagined and not comparable to all the other Southeast Asian countries. There are simply too many people living in too small of a space... It's really a little taste of India =) Rather off-putting for me^^ The infrastructure here is an absolute disaster, but the people are incredibly nice and friendly. The food is also different, and we're trying many new things!! But it's exactly for these experiences that you go on a trip like this :)