The plan was simple. Anil had
just acquired a property in Rathugala, deep in the Eastern Province of Sri
Lanka — in the heart of Vedda country. The idea was to get a feel for the land,
a preliminary exploration ahead of designing a jungle hideout on the site. Our
mutual friend Nalinda, a gifted architect with an eye for harmony between
structure and nature, was onboard to begin dreaming up what this hideout could
be.
We set off before sunrise from
Anil’s ancestral home in Dikkumbura. Five hours of winding roads and changing
landscapes brought us to Rathugala. Along the way, we grabbed breakfast in
Wellawaya, where we also told our hosts to expect us back for a very late
lunch. Spirits were high; the morning air was cool, and Anil was already
scanning the skies and treetops for any signs of wildlife.
When we finally reached the
property, it was everything we hoped for — rugged, quiet, and full of
potential. The terrain was rich and untouched, with thick jungle all around. As
Nalinda took in the environment, ideas began to emerge: minimal footprint, open
design, sustainable materials — a hideout that sits quietly within nature
rather than against it. There’s something special about brainstorming in a
place like this, away from screens and city noise, with the natural world as
your backdrop.
Unfortunately, the wildlife
wasn’t quite as cooperative. Despite Anil’s readiness, the forest kept its
distance that day. With the initial discussions wrapped up and the light
beginning to change, we decided to head back, anticipating the warm meal that
waited for us in Wellawaya.
Only, it didn’t.
Our lunch plans fell through —
the hosts, assuming we wouldn’t make it back, hadn’t prepared anything. Hungry
and mildly disappointed, we pushed on in search of a nearby spot for rice and
curry, which, in truth, didn’t quite hit
the mark either.
But then — a twist.
Just outside Thanamalwila, near
the edges of Lunugamvehera National Park, we spot a parked safari jeep.
Curious, Anil struck up a conversation with the driver. Turns out, he was
waiting for a guest — an Austrian-American traveller named Andree — who had a
few hours left in Sri Lanka and wanted to squeeze in a quick safari before
flying home that night.
Anil, never short on charm or
spontaneity, convinced him to split the fare and let us tag along. Andree,
gracious and intrigued, agreed. And just like that, we were back in the wild,
this time with a bit of luck on our side.
The safari proved worthwhile. We
finally caught glimpses of wildlife — enough for Anil to get behind his lens
and chase a few worthy shots. The light was soft, the landscape glowing in the
late afternoon sun, and for a brief while, everything aligned — the road trip,
the project, and the thrill of the wild.
We invited Andree to join us for
a proper dinner and a few drinks en route to the airport. He was keen, but his
tour operator wasn’t too thrilled about a detour that might risk a missed
flight. Understandably, he had to decline.
As we watched his vehicle
disappear into the dusk, we couldn’t help but laugh at the day’s unfolding. It
had all the elements: an early start, a dream site, a failed lunch, a chance
encounter, and finally, that magic moment in the jungle.
Designs will come, plans will be
drawn, and construction will eventually begin. But it’s days like these,—
spontaneous, unpredictable, and quietly beautiful — just reminding us why we do
what we do.
