Abandoned Paradise – Poonagala Nature Resort

It was hot in the town and my nephew who was back from Middle East desperately wanted to escape from the misery.

Where to go for one day?

I suddenly remembered two memorable days we spent at Poonagala Estate. A call to my friend – Mr. Jayasundara (Admin Manager of Poonagala Estate) confirmed the fact that the Nature Park is free for us.

We started at night and reached Bandarawela early in the morning of following day. My friend’s house is another 6 kilo meters towards Poonagala. We were able to wash, refresh, have breakfast and relax a bit at his place.

My friend’s wife, Geetha, insisted that we should prepare and take our lunch in packet-form to the Reserve, so all of us participated for a quick cooking session.

After achieving all these tasks, we started our tour to Poonagala Nature Resort by 10.00 am to reach the destination by 11.00 am.

I was shocked to see the present situation of Nature Resort and adjoining nature park. It is truly an Abandoned Paradise. Nature Resort which is managed by Poonagala Estate needs a concentrated face lift to make it presentable to an average eco traveler. Adjoining nature part (A reserve) is overgrown with high grass and foot paths are difficult to follow. This means only one thing. People are not frequenting the Paradise. This is as bad as overcrowding a place of beauty.

We had a refreshment at Nature Resort facility building and proceeded to visit the Nature Park. First we visited the natural pool, back tracked and went down to reach top of Diyaluma.

Following photos will tell the story.

Towards Poonagala

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Scene of Bus Accident

Estate Gathering

Entrance to Nature Resort

Inside the Resort

Inside the Resort

Inside the Resort

.	Nature Park

Towards Rock Pool

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Rock Pool – Safe Bathing Place

Towards Top of Diyaluma

.	Top of Diyaluma

Beginning of a Graceful Journey

Very Dangerous Bathing

Punchi Diyaluma

Climbing Back

Vanishing Foot Path

Vanishing Foot Path

Misty Return to Bandarawela