September 2019 – backpackerssrilanka

How to get into the public transport from Sri Lanka Airport(BIA)

By Admin on Friday, September 27, 2019

Not only in Sri Lanka, but also in many other countries, (Specially in Asian Countries) Most of the travelers are facing for the Taxi Scams. Here I’m Not going to talk about the ways you can avoid the Scams. I’ll be talking about that with another blog post. Here I’m talking about the Getting into public transport from Sri Lanka airport ( Bandaranayake International Airport) When you are stepping into a foreign country, If you have idea about how to get into public transport(shuttle service) Without get ripped off from scammers, It will be a big relief for any traveler. Because once you checked into the 1^st hotel or 1^st night staying place, you will definitely have an idea about the situation in the country and after the 1^st day you will mingle with the locals. Then, it won’t be easy for the scammers to rip you off. All the airports are kind of places where you have to avoid the scammers.

How to get into the public transport from BIA

Once you cleared from the emigration, after collecting your luggage you can walk out through the duty-free area and arrivals terminal. Once you walk out from the airport, there will be people who are offering taxi services.

If it looks reasonable for you and you don’t want to spend time in public shuttle service, you can choose one of those. If not,

Once you come out, turn to your left side, (Ask from an airport officer where the parking area is) then walk towards it. Before you enter to the parking you will see a board mentioned as Airport – Colombo Bus (Check the image) There will be a bus parked in that area. If not stay there Until it arrives.

They will charge 150 LKR (September 2019) to Colombo (Pettah bus terminal). This is an air-conditioned bus service.

Travel Blog

SOLO HIKE TO ALAGALLA

By Admin on Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Alagalla mountain is located at the boundaries of Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces in Sri Lanka, which is popular among the youngsters for the exciting adventures and its enthralling view. This is also known as the ‘Potato Range’ for its shape and is an easy to Moderate level hiking destination standing aprox. 3,740 feet above sea level. So, let’s see how to get into this wilderness!

How to Reach

The mountain has two main entry points.

01. From Ihala Kotte railway station or Gangoda Railway station

02. Via Poththapitiya in Pilimathalawa.

Both these starting points can be reached within two to three hours from Colombo based on the traffic jam and the mode of transportation used for the journey.

01. From Ihala Kotte railway station or Gangoda Railway station

If you are planning a one-day trip to Alagalla, you can get into the Podi Manike Train from Fort Railway station at 5.55 Am. If you miss the Train You can take the Udarata Menike Train at 8.30 Am. Click the below mentioned link to check the train Schedule. You can start the trek either from Gangoda Station or Ihala Kotte station. From Ihala Kotte station there is the clear footpath until you reach the Well-maintained road to Trail head. Don’t forget to get confirmed with the villegers until you reach the Trail head

However, using ihala kotte path might be little bit difficult for a less experienced person since you have to go through the Village, and you have to get confirm the path from villagers every time until you trail head.

01. Via Poththapitiya in Pilimathalawa.

If you’re travelling from Colombo and using public transportation you can easily get into a Kandy train and get off at Pilimathalawa Station. Or you Can get into a Colombo – Kandy bus from Pettah Bus terminal and get off from Pilimathalawa Town. (Buses are available from 3.00 am in every half an hour) From there(From Pilimathalawa) you need to either get a bus to Poththapitiya tea factory or you can hire a tuk which would cost around Rs.500 and reach the entry point of this amazing trek.

So, If you are a less experienced hiker, my advice is to use the Poththapitiya tea factory to begin the hike.

Once you reach the tea factory just walk along the gravel road, passing the village and at some point, you will come across a place to fill your bottles! Walking further through tea plantations, the path will get less clear as you lead to the Alagalla conservation Forest.

As you go on the climb will get steep but still you will love to walk through the maana trees feeling the cool breez of the mountain air in your face! Remember there will be cool spot just before you reach the peak, and this is ideal for you to stop by if you need to refresh yourselves while enjoying the breathtaking views it offers.

The peak!

This is the best way to test your bouldering skills as you need to climb over few boulders to get to the most amazing part of the trek which is the summit of amazing Alagalla! Do keep in mind that this is a bit risky if you’re hiking alone. So, look into your steps carefully to avoid danger. But once you make it to the peak you will never regret the struggle. I could fill up my soul with the blue sky, trees with the mountain breeze and top of all them the view of surrounding mountains including Bathalegala (Bible rock), Devanagala, Ambuluwawa, Knuckles Mountain Range and Hanthana Mountain Range was magical and beyond imagination. So, don’t hesitate to include this adventure to your bucket list and tick it off at your earliest!!

Enjoy the journey. Please minimize plastic and polythene. And try to bring at least one plastic bottle back those have left there by the irresponsible travelers. Be the responsible traveler who saves the planet earth. Travel with less number of people. It will increase your experience and satisfaction as well as it will reduce the bad effects on environmental system.

Travel Tips

How to Rent a Bike in Bali

By Admin on Monday, September 23, 2019

When it comes to travelling around Bali, It’s Not like most of the other countries where they have proper public transportation system. Bali, being an island destination of Main Island Indonesia, it doesn’t have a proper public transportation system. Although there are few Shuttle services operating between main destinations, if your plan is to explore more locations without wasting much time, best and only way is renting a vehicle. Here comes the main issue in renting a vehicle with a driver. It will be expensive and will not be fitting with your itinerary. So, renting a bike is the cheapest way to travel around Bali. When You hit bali, you will understand the number of bikes running in Bali. The roads are full of hundreds may be thousands of Bikes.

01. Your Experience and confidence with Bikes.

You Might have ride bikes in your country. But It requires good Confidence and experience to ride a bike in a foreign country because you must adapt to an entirely different environment and road system within a short period of time . Attitudes, Riding pattern and nature can be entirely different from your own country. How people obey to road rules can be differ when comparing with your own country. So, you Must have good experience and confidence level to Ride a bike in a foreign soil. . If you don’t process that confidence level and experience, please forget about renting a bike in another country. It will Make your Vacation a good one rather than renting a bike and stepping into so much Troubles. If you have that courage, Confidence and experience, then move into the next point.

02. Do you have International Driving license?

Here I’m Not going to emphasize about the local Driving license (In your Country). I think no one will be a fool to rent a bike in a foreign country without processing local driving license. Some might advise you to rent a bike without processing International Driving license.

But in most of the countries they will require your international Driving license when on the process of renting a bike or while you travel by bike. It better to carry an IDL for you to avoid any inconvenience during the trip. Every country has a relevant organization where you can obtain IDL.

I have mentioned below the link to the article – How to obtain international Driving License in Sri Lanka

03. Do a Proper Study About the Driving rules and regulations of the desired country and also not forgetting about the Road System of the relevant Country.

Most of the countries have similar road rules applicable. But it;s better to have an idea before you hit the road.

Bali is full of motorbikes. It’s not difficult to ride in remote villages. But when it comes to city areas such as Kata, Sanur, DPS situation gets critical with so many bikes on the roads. In the city area you will be able to see a priority line for motor bikes even in the toll ways.

04. Finding a reliable place to rent a bike.

This can be identified as one of the life changing point when it comes to renting a bike in a foreign soil. There might be scammers, Frauds in anywhere. So, it’s better to find a reliable and reasonable supplier. You will be able to find a place through internet. There are reputed vehicle renting companies in Bali. But their Charges can be very high due to the service they are providing. Some of them are providing the pickup and drop off services as well. If the rate is fitting with your budget, it’s ok to rent a bike from those companies.

Other best way to find a reliable source is, contacting the hotel where you stay in the 1^st night. They provide the best sources most of the times. For your convenience I have mentioned below the contact details of the supplier where I had rented bikes during my trip to bali. I have recommended this guy for some of my friends as well. He never disappointed me and provided the best service for reasonable rate.

05. Taking the bike under your care

Last but not least, when Taking the bike under your care, there are few points you should consider about.

– Condition of the bike – Who ever the reliable source, at the end of the day you don’t know this guy/company. So, it’s better to check all the damages with the bikes and take photographs or videos.

– Check the Documents – This is one of the best things you should consider about. Some companies do change the year of registration and documents without paying the relevant charges to the government.

– In Bali you can see the license renewed year on the number plate. Compare that year with the year which is mentioned on the document. If it’s outdated or not renewed, you know what to do. Don’t take it or not even take any bike from that supplier.

– Check the Agreement document of the supplier. Make sure to get clarified the unclear points with him

– Check the petrol Level – It’s a must to return the bike with a similar level of petrol to where it was when pick up the bike.

If I have missed any point. Please feel free to comment below.

Happy Ride

Month: September 2019

How to get into the public transport from Sri Lanka Airport(BIA)

SOLO HIKE TO ALAGALLA

How to Rent a Bike in Bali