| Year and Month | October, 2013 |
| Number of Days | Two Day Trip |
| Crew | One |
| Accommodation | Hatton Inn (no 30 Dunbar rd, Hatton) |
| Transport | Public transport & Train |
| Activities | Rail hike (65Km) |
| Weather | Mixed weather |
| Route | Monaragala -> Wellawaya -> Bandarawela -> Nuwara eliya -> Nanu oya(3.7Km) -> Radella(5.5Km) -> Great western(3.9Km) -> Watagoda (5.1Km) -> Thalawakele(6.8Km) -> Kotagala(7.3Km) -> Hatton(5.1Km) -> Rozelle(3.9Km) -> Ihala Watawala(3.7Km) -> Watawala(2.1Km) -> Galboda(9.2Km) -> Penrose(2.6Km) -> Iguru oya(3.15Km) -> Hynford(2.6Km) -> Nawalapitiya(3Km) -> Gampola -> Peradeniya -> Colombo |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
** SPECIAL THANKS ** to Priyanjan |
| Related Resources |
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| Author | Ashan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
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The map – Click to enlarge
It was long ago I did a rail hike that was in February. So with the upcoming long weekend and been clueless, I decided to do a 3 day rail hike which I had to fast track to two days because Kasun invited me for another trip. Doing 65 Km’s for two days is more like a rail run but guess what I didn’t miss a thing. Walking speed was around 4.2Km’s/hour and I have never walked on a road even that fast. As most of you’ll know this stretch is not known for any special locations or scenery but I found out that there was lot to offer. My main focus was on flowers, may be wild or grown at stations as garden flowers, so please forgive me for adding many images of these beauties.
Day 1 the hike was commenced from Nanu oya and it was around 8.30am. I had to hurry up from the beginning because I started very late. From the start onwards flowers were smiling at me and I was in business. Just passing nanu oya I crossed three streams and the first was Nanu oya, second forming Nanu oya falls at a lower level and the 3rd was lower reaches of Glassaug falls. I was lucky enough to see Adams peak that day which always brought up a grin on my face. Just before Passing Radella I came across tunnel no 17 and in few minutes Great western was in sight. The 6st highest mountain range was clear of mist inviting hikers to climb it if they dare too. From great western to Watagoda it was a walk along picturesque tea estates and after passing tunnel number 16 Devon falls was seen plunging far away. Next stop was Thalawakele and just before the station St clairs mini, Upper Kotmale reservoir came across my visual path. Walking across a reservoir gave me an awkward feeling that I have never felt before. Tunnel no 15 was just after Thalawakele and a “dakkuwa” filled with passenger passed whistling by me while I was in the tunnel. Plenty of kids were following me thinking I was a foreigner and was attempting to get some money out of my pockets which they failed to do so. St clairs was my next attraction and seen it lacking its beauty which she once had made me almost tear. Kotagala stretch provided me with some misty scenery before entering the dark and spooky tunnel of Singimale. The walk through this 500m odd tunnel was really scary but meeting locals who were traveling up and down regularly was a relief for me. When I reached Hatton I was dead tired and an early dinner and an icy bath completed my day.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  starting point |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  halted at nanu oya |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  reddish beauty |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  just like a sun flower |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  had to bend my back to get this one |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a lovely orange |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  this is a rapid flowing stream at nanu oya |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  upper nanu oya falls |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  pink standing tall between the logs |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  tiny yellow beauties |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  finally a pure white one |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  this was seen commonly |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  oh the boogy man |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  smaller bowitiya version |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  what they play with |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  glassaugh falls |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lower cascade |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wild but colourful |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  they play with sharp blades |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  this one was a bit shy |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  life between logs |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Elebedda?? |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  towards hatton side |
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a panorama of lidula
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  gave me a nasty look |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  give me some room |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a Ashy prinia |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Adams peak |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  while on duty |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  tunnel no 17 |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  they make sure that we live another day |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a cascade at radella |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  another cascade |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  off they go |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  first landmark |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  on the way scenery towards lidula |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  hooded partial cave |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  horton plains |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  mighty great western |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  on the edge of a mountain |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Again i had to crawl to capture this beauty |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  white again |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  mixed together |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  some wood for my home |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  yellow tinged |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  my ever loving gandapana |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  towards the shade |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  next station is close by |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a white daisy |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the colours i love |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lovely yellow border of the petal |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  orangish yellow |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  searching for the last drop of honey |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wish it had a drop of water on a petal |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  The Great western |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  two rails is helpful |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the blue ceauty |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  touch of white |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  dark red it is |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  oh she smiled |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  minature flowers |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Pied Bushchat |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  white on black background |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lovely isnt it |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  they were joyed to see me |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  missing school to earn few bucks |
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beautiful landscape at great western
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scenic track
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the traditional basket |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the path they walk on |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  crossing over |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  please forgive me, I mean no harm |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Watagoda reached |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  balcony view |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  art on a glass |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  friends i met |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a short one |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Devon falls seen from watagoda |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  near by cascades |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  crossing over |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  st clairs mini falls |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  upper kotmale |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  ah a beauty |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the face says his story |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  they walk on the rail road coz they have no option |
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once this was a river
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  high contrasting colours |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  thalawakele |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  came across a dakkuwa while in tunnel 15 |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  after a tiring day |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  upper kotmale project scheme |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  st clairs the current state |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  evolved version of a monkey Image may be NSFW. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  I love these |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  light pink it is |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  derryclair station |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  last power set train i met |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  kotagala cascade |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lovely flow |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  kotagala peak as seen from the station |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wondering where her kids are when needed |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  all in one |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  find the odd one |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  oh a surprise one |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  mist setting down |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lovely isnt it |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  galkandawatta wonder if they stop here even |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  gods on the side of the railways protecting the travelers |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  longest railway tunnel in sri lanka (singimale) |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  atlast the end |
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reached hatton
Day two the hike was initiated at 5.45am from Hatton station and it was another day of lonely walking through tea estates. Sun was denied its rights by the mighty clouds but it produced some magical scenery which I relished. Wild orchids which I came across after Rozella were the highlight of that stretch and also the stunning scenery as always pleased my hunger. While walking towards Watawala I came across a crew repairing the rail track and it was very interesting to listen to what they were saying while pulling a log. They used a unique language just like when the fishermen pull their nets! For ex: “Hoi wamata adin” Hoi Kelin adin”. Watawala to Galaboda was the longest stretch I have come across up to now, the 9.2Km track seemed to be never ending and it was through a lonely pines forest where I only met two linesman. Thanks to the dog who accompanied me I didn’t feel lonely that much. Seen Galboda at last was a great relief and a 5 minute break was required to regenerate the lost energy. After Galboda I came across two tunnels in succession where a bridge intervened. From Galboda to Iguru oya I was blessed with heavy showers and it was a relief that it lasted only one hour or so. Just before Hynford station I took a by road and reached Upper Hynford falls where I washed myself and had a quick change before getting back to the railroad to rush towards Nawalapitiya to catch the 3pm express train to Colombo. When I got to Nawalapitiya it was 2.45pm and I hurried towards a pastry shop to fulfill my hunger and returned in time to catch the express power set train which provided a comfortable 4hour ride to Colombo to my tired soul. I was more than satisfied with what I achieved and the stunning images do justify my rail run in search of petals!
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  starting point day 2 |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wow an eye opener |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  i saw the pink on the previous day |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  slow shutter |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  blending colours |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  sun is battling its way |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  more cascades |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  trees were like tall guards |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  its history now |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Drunk driving? Image may be NSFW. |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  blessed to see these scenery |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  red coloured tea factory |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  im in a hurry |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  sllepykumba |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  like grains |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  this was at Rozella and beautiful unfortunately not possible to take a clear snap |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  back to the flowers |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  blend together |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  roses and roses |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  yellow petals |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lonely path |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wow what a place |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the commonest orchid i came across |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  cascade at rozella |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  on a straight line |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  beauty of the railway |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  routine work |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  ihala watawala sealed off |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  hoi wamata adin… |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  reached watawala |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  100 more miles |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the one who followed me for the next 7Km’s |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  pleasure to the eyes |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  common but beautiful |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the lonely 9Km stretch |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the silent killer |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  bark mushrooms loving the silpara |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  kabaragala covered |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  flame flower |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  at dekida rail platform |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  at galboda |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  i really love this |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  clustered together |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  tunnel(13), bridge and tunnel(12) again |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  down stream of galaboda falls |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  they never stop surprising me |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  finally a mammal |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  it was pouring heavily when i met this beast |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  what they have to face day to day |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  iguru oya station |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  he was walking faster than me even with those bags |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  i had a long chat with this guy |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a blue mormon |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  towards hynford |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lovely scenery |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  top of hynford |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  upper hynford falls |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lower part |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  half dead cobra |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  few more km’s |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  getting tougher |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  their routine |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  jobless guys |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the end destination |
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waiting till the train arrives
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  on the way bathalegala seen from kadugannawa |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  on the way uthuwankanda also seen at ihala kotte |
Hope you enjoyed reading, thank you!