Fearsome Experience in "Kumana"

After our last journey to Mandaramnuwara, we planned our next journey to Kumana bird sanctuary. Mainly we targeted night camping at Galamuna Camping site. No one was ever thought that this journey would be one of the most fearsome journeys for the lifetime. 

The meeting point was Malabe on Friday night 16th October 2015 around

08.00p.m. But unfortunately the rain changed our whole plan. I could not get to Malabe due to heavy rain. (I was planning to go there by bike) so they had to take me from Kadawata. First bad sign was happened. I found that I had brought my wife's mobile phone with me. So I had to send it back to her with the three-wheeler driver who dropped me in Kadawatha. My wife was home with her mother and our little son. I had to wait about one and half hours until they pick me up. That was so terrible. So many bad thoughts were playing inside me about wait I have done. Finally I got the call from my wife's mobile phone.  

It was about 5 in the morning when we arrived in Katharagama. We had our bed tea and quickly packed in our safari jeep. It was about 6 when we were leaving from our friend Chamath's house. We were so late according to our plan. 

On our way to Kumana from Katharagama, we were passing the Weheragala National Park where u can see Peacocks everywhere. One was dressing and making up its wonderful dress in early morning sunshine. It stopped us for about half an hour. We even had forgotten that we were late. Our way was full with so many photographic sceneries. As we all were nature photographers no one wanted to miss even single scenery without capturing.  

It's dress was so Beautiful

We had our quick breakfast on the way. Then we headed to Kumana entranve and bought the entrance tickets() and a wildlife officer joined with us from there(It's a must for anyone who visit kumana to take a wild life officer with them). We were excited seeing the Galamuna camping sight which was at the middle of kumbukkan oya. While setting up the tents we prepared our lunch too. And also collected firewood for our campfire. It was a large campfire. Before our meal we had a refreshing bath in kubukkan oya. 

 Quick Breakfast

'Kumbukkan Oya' was not so rough although she was muddy at that time. We had great fun in the muddy water. We had only one meal for both lunch and dinner. We gathered on a big rock in the middle of the river and enjoyed while singing songs and watching the stars in the clear sky. But again the rain started troubling us. We quickly get into our camp. What a terrible thing, we found that our main camp roof was leaking. Luckily rain was not for too long, only for about 10 minutes. Then again back to the fun. 

Wildlife officer taught us how to spot animal in the dark, using flash light. Their eyes were dazzling to the light like gems. We spotted some Crocodiles in the water with that technique. We also lucky to go near to a baby crocodile. It was so cutie. (Hi hi..... :-D) 

Photo Cridit: Bhagya Thiwanka Silva 

We were so exhausted due to long journey and sleepless night. Then one by one get in to the tent while two was in the watch. Our friend driver and wildlife officer were sleeping at the jeep.  

Tiring eyes got closed in a short while. At once I got up with sudden noise of our friends and horn of the vehicle. 

 'Elephants' that what came to my head first. I quickly awake Baghya who slept next to me and came out from the tent without thinking.  

Oh..... Kumbukkan Oya.... It looked like someone made her so angry. We just heard 'Chamath gala udata nagapan.....' I couldn't remember how I get on to the rock. We were shocked with what we saw in the dark. Time was about 2:30 in the morning. Four of us were at the other end of the river and rests of us were in the middle of the river on a rock helplessly. 

River was so rough and we had no way to cross it. It has risen up her level so high within few minutes. It's so hard to explain our thoughts. It was a fear of 'what could be next'. Millions of vey bad thoughts were playing in me. 'What to do next if water level will rise up over the rock!' I was searching for trees to climb. Luckily there were plenty of big trees nearby. 'But there were two girls and will they climb up?' Oh....! Again had to think about other options.  

I and Chamath were thinkng how to save our lives. We were discus sing so many options. So many creative thoughts. ( ;-) ) We talked about the possibility of swimming to the other end.  

We might were crazy if we thought of a swimming thing in that rough water which also full with Crocodiles in the dark.....!

We had no options than waiting until the sun rise on the rock hoping that water level will not rise up further. All of us were praying "god please save us...!"

 Photo Cridit:Chithranga Edirisooriya

                                                           Photo Cridit:Chithranga Edirisooriya

I believe that the god listened to us. Around 3:30 in the morning she seemed to be calm down even though the water level has not reduced. It was a great releif for us at that situation. I was awaken untill the morning, monitering the water level.
At the morning we had a chance to test our team spirit. That was the best part. We all got together and made a friendship bridge across the river when she reduced her level a little bit. Our first aim was to send two girls  to the other side.
Finally we all could manage to cross the river with our stuff. Then celebrated the victory of the life saving team  with Dulan's birthday cake. Afterwards we continued our safari and it seemed nothing has happened last night. We were reworded with sighting a Leppard too.

                                                 Photo Cridit:Kirula Kumaranga

Hear are some of my Captchurs during the entire journey.