It rained for two consecutive days and the unreliable internet connection wasn’t helping at all. Me and my buddy were in the middle of a tropical rainforest with the sound of crickets and gushing water from the stream as our lovely background music. As disconnected as we could’ve been to the outside world, we were left with the beauty Sri Lanka’s seemingly untouched wildlife as seen from the glass walls of our chalet. Ella Jungle Resort was just the perfect place to get stuck to.
Sri
Lanka was the third country on our two-month Beach Hop Asia 2016 backpacking
trip. After revisiting Malaysia and Thailand, me and my buddy went to Colombo
for an overnight transit and then moved to Sigiriya for a four-day temple run then
went to Kalkudah and Arugam Bay before going to our last stop, Ella.
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| Ravana Ella Falls, a roadside waterfall in Ella. |
From
the main road, we were brought deep into the jungle through a 4x4 truck which I
must say was an adventure in itself. The winding muddy dirt road showed no
signs of a resort. After fifteen minutes of butt-numbing ride, we came to a
halt. I shrieked when I saw an old school cable car when I got off the truck.
I
was trying not to wiggle the thing when I was loading it but as soon as my
buddy and our stuff went inside it moved sideways. We bid our goodbye to the
driver as the cable car moved, apparently, it was manually operated by someone
on the other end. The view from the car was spectacular. With a number of
waterfalls in sight and abundant greens, it felt like I was transported to our
Jungle Adventure in Laos way back in 2015.
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| It rained all throughout our stay but I ain't complaining. |
 |
| Open-aired hallways |
We
were welcomed by a gentleman named Sunil, the Guest Services Manager, then
escorted us on an open-aired receiving area to complete the registration while sipping a hot
ginger tea. After a short briefing, me and my buddy were ushered to our chalet
for three nights.
 |
| Receiving area |
I
wasn’t expecting anything, as always, and was surprised as Sunil opened the
door to our room. The rectangular room was cozy with its wooden furniture with
a four-poster bed as the focal point. It had a romantic sheer mosquito net,
which is very common in Sri Lanka, and some wooden end tables with lamps on
both sides.
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| Our semi glass house |
 |
| We're one with nature |
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| Our favorite spot |
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| Our coffee/beer spot |
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| Communing with nature on our outdoor toilet and bathroom |
Three
meals each day were included on our package but you may opt to choose and avail
it whilst you’re there. Its location in the deep forest may be difficult though
as you do not have any option but to dine at their al fresco restaurant. And
have I mentioned that Ella Jungle Resort is a no-meat, vegetarian resort? I was
doomed when I told my buddy about it. Haha.
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| We could've done a short trek to a waterfall but the rain prevented us to do so. |
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| Dinner for two! |
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| This. Is. Yummy. |
I woke up one morning with the sound of a heavy downpour. The glass walls were partly covered with mist, but still I could see the beauty of nature in spite of the gloomy weather. It was a kind of retreat; away from the maddening deafening noise of the outside world. We’re one with nature, and I should be thankful that I get to experience it at the comforts of my bed. I snoozed back and the cycle went on for a day; serenity at its best.
Ella Jungle Resort (check for discounted rates)
Karandagolla,
Ella,
Badulla,
Sri Lanka
Contact
Numbers: (+94) 1127.61101 | (+94) 7773.52352
Email
Address: info@ellajungleresort.lk
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