Rafting Rapids

Monday 17 August 2009

Today should be exciting as we headed to Kithulgala for some Grade 3 white water rafting. The place is situated on the west side of Sri Lanka’s hill country, 3 hours away from Colombo. There’s a cosy place called The Rafter’s Retreat where rafters can stay the night as well. Nothing much, very basic, but they have this cool treehouse with an old skool underground toilet. Saw some ladies plucking tea on the way too.

Sri Lankan ladies at a tea plantation

Funky treehouse and toilet facilities

Rafting will be on the Kelani River, traversing 7 rapids over 7km. They had funky names for their rapids such as Killer Falls and Head Chopper. Maybe someone lost their head passing through the branches :P

Rapids are not too bad. It’s the rainy season so water level was high, up to 12m. River drops to 2m during dry season. Heck a lot difference eh? They are quite dodgy with safety. Didn’t even see a throw rope in the raft but Deep said that it’s because the rapids are self contained and even if you do fall in, you will just float into calm waters again. We took a dip and floated for a while down the river. Picked up 2 leeches in the process.

Rafting along the Kelani River

Nothing much on the itinerary tonight so we decided to try the local brew tonight. Deep and Dana, our guide, got some Arrack which was distilled coconut liquor. Lepak at Deep’s room with an international crowd – Gareth (Shoulin Tiger from Bandar Sri Damnasara/England), Ben from Perth, Dana from Sri Lanka, Deep & me from Malaysia. Ivan from Indonesia was supposed to join us but he ffk.

Finished 2 local brew and one Sparkling White (Blue Nun) that had 22 carat gold leaves in it. I fucking drank gold flakes man. There’s precious metal in my stomach now. Talk about expensive taste.

Gonna have a happy night now.

Bubbly with 22 carat gold leaf flakes & local brew arrack