Taking on the challenge of Bomburu Ella waterfall as senior citizens
Retreating to the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya for three days in March, my family – wife Fareena, son Azlan and I joined my classmate and friend George and his family – wife Jayarani, son Dhanuska and daughter Dhanushika. Nuwara Eliya was preparing for the customary April season.
Come Sunday morning, we decided to visit the Botanical Gardens in Hakgala. There weren’t many flowers in bloom, but we covered the garden briskly and back in the vehicle discussed what we should do next. George suggested we visit the Bomburu Ella waterfall.
Consulting residents on our way, we deviated from the main road to reach the foothills of the fall at Uduhawara, about 8-10 km off the Badulla- Nuwara Eliya main road. By the time we got there, the group’s enthusiasm seemed to have taken a hit, save Dhanuska and the driver. Eventually we were able to coax the rest to make the trek to the waterfall.
The entrance was a steep cemented narrow climb about 100 -125 feet. After climbing about 10 to 15 feet, Jayarani and Dhanushika dropped out. I plodded up the cemented steps stopping every now and then for a gasp of air. George was in the lead. Azlan, impatient with our crawl, was encouraged to go ahead and was soon out of sight. Still negotiating the steps, I broke off a branch of a tree to use as a walking stick for support.
Eventually the cemented steps ended. A small kiosk was serving tea and herbal drinks and George, Fareena and I sat on a wooden bench to catch our breath. We received conflicting answers to our query “Tawa kochchara doora da?” (How far is it?), from other climbers. Some perhaps noticing us to be elderly and not wanting to discourage us replied, “Tika durak tiyanawa” (a short distance away) while others, more forthright said, “Tawa kilometre pahak withara tiyenawa” (about five km more to go).
I was undecided. My attempts to get Azlan on the phone were unsuccessful. We continued the climb, with George leading the way and helping Fareena and me when the climb got tough. The rest of the climb was harrowing, the jungle footpath strewn with boulders of various sizes and several tiny but perilous waterways to cross with shrub jungle on either side. There was a large water pipeline coming down from the summit of the waterfall along the path, which at times helped ease the climb and at times was an obstacle.
We kept asking those coming down the same questions we asked earlier and received similar responses. But our common resolve was solid. We continued the climb. There were huts on the way selling tea and other local herbal drinks but we missed having water. The climb to the top took us more than two hours.
The stick was indeed handy and I was thankfully wearing my walking shoes. Back in the holiday home, I found a leech bite on my right ankle and blood smears on my sock that I did not notice during the climb. I was reminded of a jungle trek I had done during an Outward Bound training during much younger years in Habarana. This trek indeed challenged the three of us to the hilt.
Finally we reached a level just below the summit of the waterfall where we could get a good look at the majestic waterfall in all its splendour and feel the comforting misty splash of water on us. George ventured with his camera to the natural pond that had formed at the bottom of the falls to take pictures. Fareena and I rested on the rocks and took in the scene. Azlan was not to be seen. His phone was out of contact. I decided to continue the climb up on my own to the summit, but as I was struggling up, to my relief, I met Azlan who having waited all the while on top was making his way down.
Our downward trek was equally challenging, but quicker. We were glad to be back with the rest of the group in the vehicle, exhausted yet elated at our achievement.
Not a bad adventure, as senior citizens, despite the risks. According to the villagers in Uduhawara, the trek up the mountain each way is about 8 kilometres.
Back home, I found the following information on the Internet in Wikipedia: “Bomburu Ella Waterfall located near the border of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts, 2000 metres above sea level. It is the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka and also known as the Parawella Falls. The waterfall is 50 metres (165 feet), in height. Located in the Sita Eliya Kandapola Forest Reserve and served by the upper segment of the Uma River’s tributary the Duulgala River”.