By Pallavi Verma 
Our next day on 3rd July, in Sri Lanka began with the same breakfast, which had become a comforting routine. We took a moment to appreciate the hospitality of the Saayoo Resort staff and the beautiful surroundings of the resort, where every corner of the property was meticulously maintained. The rooms were beautiful, and the lush greenery outside added a tranquil charm to the place. After breakfast, we packed our belongings, preparing for the journey ahead. Since our train to Colombo wasn’t scheduled to depart until 10 am, we had some time to relax. We decided not to leave too early and waited in our room until it was time to head out.
Once ready, we moved out and walked to the station, taking in the fresh morning air and the salty breeze from the nearby beach. The ticket counter had just opened, so we purchased our tickets to Colombo station. As we waited for the train, we clicked some photographs of the surroundings—a beautiful morning bathed in soft sunlight with lush greenery all around.
The train arrived about 10 minutes later, and we boarded, finding our seats as the train slowly began its journey. The train stopped at every station to pick up and drop off passengers. It was interesting to see local vendors hopping on and off, selling snacks and fruits to the travelers. After about half an hour, we reached Colombo station. Now we had to decide how to spend the two hours before our next train to Habarana, a journey that would take about four hours.
Exploring Colombo: A Taste of Local Life
With some time on our hands, we decided to visit Galle Face, a popular urban park along the coast, to enjoy the ocean breeze. It was about a 2-kilometer walk from the station, and as we strolled through the busy streets, we could feel the city’s vibrant energy. Upon arriving at Galle Face, we felt hungry, so we found a local food truck and ordered rice and curry. However, there was a slight misunderstanding in our order, and we received something different from what we had expected. Not wanting to argue, we accepted the meal, which turned out to be quite large, so we packed the leftovers for our train journey. We then treated ourselves to ice cream and sat near the shore, enjoying the playful tides that splashed against the rocks, occasionally wetting us. It was a simple but delightful experience, connecting us to the natural beauty of Sri Lanka amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Journey to Habarana: Through Lush Landscapes and Wild Forests
After our brief exploration of Colombo, we headed back to the railway station to catch our train to Habarana. As we approached the station, we noticed a significant presence of security forces. It seemed like they were either managing a potential riot or preparing for a VIP’s arrival, as the place was heavily guarded. Once inside, we confirmed our train’s platform with the help of some locals, as the information on the screens was in the local language. One helpful person guided us to the correct platform, and soon enough, our train arrived.
We had booked AC tickets for this leg of the journey, as the weather was quite humid and the trip would be long. As the train left the urban landscape behind, it passed through lush jungles, scenic forests, and small waterfalls. The views from the train were breathtaking, with lush green rice fields stretching out under the sun and rocky hills dotted with trees. The natural beauty of the area filled us with a sense of adventure and excitement.
Unfortunately, our train got delayed by about an hour, so we arrived in Habarana after dark. Our Wild Hut Habarana was just 500 meters from the station, so we decided to walk, eager to stretch our legs after the long journey. However, as we started walking, the owner of our accommodation found us. He had been waiting at the station, anticipating our arrival, and offered us a ride in his tuk-tuk. We were surprised to learn that almost every household in the area owns a tuk-tuk, which they rent out to tourists, providing a significant source of income for the locals.
A Warm Welcome in Wild Hut Habarana: Night in the Forest
Our host took us to our stay, which was nestled near the edge of a forest—a peaceful and serene location. It was around 8 pm, and most markets were closing, so we asked him where we could find dinner. He kindly drove us to a nearby market, about 2 kilometers away, where we searched for a place to eat. We eventually found a small eatery that offered a variety of dishes, and we chose something with gravy, packed our meal, and headed back to our stay.
The property owner greeted us with the Wi-Fi password and provided us with water, asking about our plans for breakfast the next day. After exchanging goodnight wishes, we settled into our room and enjoyed our dinner, savoring the flavors while taking in the forest view. The peaceful ambiance of the forest, combined with the sounds of nature, made the evening truly special.
The day had been full of activity, but the evening brought much-needed relaxation. We ended the night with a sense of contentment, falling asleep to the calming sounds of the forest. The next day would bring new adventures as we headed towards Sigiriya, but for now, we were ready to rest and recharge.