Reaching the ends of the earth in Sri Lanka

Horton Plains is unspoiled.

Sri Lanka, also known as Ceylon, is a country located south of India, about 30 km from India. It is known as the land of Buddhism because it was once a center of Buddhist culture in ancient times. However, what impressed me most about Sri Lanka wasn't the ancient ruins, but rather the lush, wild nature that has been preserved exceptionally well.

Horton Plains National Park is a lush, unspoiled grassland nestled between the region's two highest mountains, Kirigalpotta and Totapola. It's the only national park in Sri Lanka that allows free exploration guided by a system of signposts. Besides its rich natural scenery with waterfalls and turquoise lakes, it's home to over 750 plant species and several rare animal species in need of conservation. Horton Plains is also known as the "cloud forest" because it's frequently shrouded in fog and clouds.

I set off from Nuwara Eliya town at 5 a.m., while it was still dark and chilly. The road was quite winding, with many hairpin turns, passing through many villages and hamlets that were still asleep. We arrived at the park entrance just as the crimson sun was rising on the horizon, its early morning rays gradually gilding the mountain peaks. We stood silently, watching the sunrise in the vast expanse, from the moment the sun was hidden behind the clouds until it proudly shone across the sky. Although it was only a few short minutes, we all felt it was well worth the effort of overcoming ourselves to get out of our warm beds and come here so early in the morning.

To explore the entire Horton Plains National Park on foot, you'll need approximately 4-6 hours for the 10km journey, starting from World's End, then to Baker Falls, and back to the park entrance. Here, staff will instruct you not to leave any trash, plastic bottles, candy wrappers, or anything else along the way; violations will result in heavy fines. The people of Sri Lanka have a very strong sense of wildlife conservation, from tiny children to adults and the elderly. Therefore, you'll find tourist attractions in Sri Lanka very clean, with not a single piece of litter.

I began my exploration of the park with irresistible excitement, skipping along the small trail surrounded by lush green meadows and trees. Golden sunlight shone everywhere, the sky couldn't be bluer, and a cool breeze caressed my face. Dew still clung to the blades of grass and leaves. Amidst this vast and expansive nature, humans felt incredibly small. I strolled leisurely, stopping at one patch of grass after another, admiring each flower, each butterfly, each red flowering tree reaching towards the clear blue sky. Everywhere was a verdant green. The space was quiet and peaceful. Occasionally, I spotted birds, a few geckos, monkeys, or deer grazing peacefully. When they saw humans, they would simply look up with their big, round eyes and then calmly continue grazing. Camellias and wildflowers of various shades of purple, yellow, and green grew everywhere. When my legs were tired, I lay down with my head on the soft grass, quietly gazing at the surrounding nature, closing my eyes to enjoy this rare and precious moment.

World's End

The nameThe end of the world(World's End) piqued my curiosity about its intriguing name. Upon visiting, I found that World's End is a sheer cliff 880 meters high, marking the boundary between the park and a deep gorge, below which lies a valley and a small village. From the top of World's End, you can gaze out at the verdant cliffs, even Adam Peak, and layers of swirling clouds. On clear, cloudless days like the one I visited, you can see the sea dozens of kilometers away. However, usually after 10 am, the area is shrouded in fog and mist. Perhaps when the fog completely obscures the path, making it impossible to see anything, with a thick mist blocking the way, forcing one to retreat and search for a way forward, that's when the place truly becomes a wonder.The end of the world.

The ideal time to visit World's End, with the best views, is from January to March. During this period, there is the least rainfall of the year, and fewer tourists, so you have plenty of time and space to fully enjoy your trip.

Before arriving in Sri Lanka, my imagination was filled with images of colorful tuk-tuks cruising on dusty roads, flavorful and spicy curry dishes, and women in vibrant sarees on the streets. Or perhaps I was simply curious because Sri Lanka is the home of Dilmah tea, a very popular brand in Vietnam. Walking along the trail from World's End to exit the park, I realized that Sri Lanka, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, is also renowned for its majestic, beautiful, and truly captivating natural scenery.

TOURIST INFORMATION

- Visa:You can apply for a visa at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka or apply for an e-visa in advance for a fee of USD 35. Sri Lanka e-visa application website:http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

- Trip:Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Sri Lanka; you will have to transit in a third country such as Malaysia or Thailand. Many airlines operate flights, including Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Sri Lanka Airlines, and Malindo Air, with round-trip tickets ranging from 250-400 USD.

- Time:Sri Lanka boasts a diverse landscape, encompassing seas, mountains, plateaus, and plains, with average temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius. While you can visit Sri Lanka year-round, the best time is from January to March.

- Means of transportation:Public transportation such as buses, coaches, and trains in Sri Lanka are very affordable. For travel within cities or short distances, tuk-tuks can carry up to four people. For larger groups, renting a larger vehicle is a more convenient option.

- Accommodation:Large cities like Colombo, Kandy, and Galle offer a wide range of accommodations from budget guesthouses to 5-star hotels. Some highland areas like Ella or Nuwara Eliya have fewer options, but these places offer homestays and resorts surrounded by lush green tea plantations and flowers. You can choose and book these accommodations online.

- Cuisine:Sri Lankan food is quite similar to Indian food, with curries and coconut milk, and is rather salty and spicy compared to Vietnamese tastes. Some signature Sri Lankan dishes include egg hoppers, seafood, and kottu roti. Especially noteworthy are the cheap and delicious fruits in Sri Lanka, with bananas, cantaloupe, mangoes, and mangosteen being the most abundant.

- Some notes:

• When visiting temples or pagodas, you must wear a shirt with sleeves, and your pants/skirt must be longer than your knees.
• When taking photos, do not turn your back to the Buddha statues.
• Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts.
• Tea, sculptures, paintings depicting Buddhist imagery, jewelry, gemstones, cinnamon, pepper... are all excellent souvenirs.

Tran Hong Ngoc