Hello my loving Hivers,
Welcome to my travel blog. What's up guys? Greetings from Sri Lanka. We didn't get a chance to visit a beautiful island within a year. Due to the fuel crisis in our country, we did not get a chance for boating. So I looked for an opportunity to cross a bridge or an island through a strenuous walk. In searching for islands with bridges using Google Maps, I finally found Cinnamon Island, which is a little far from Balapitiya town, beyond Pathegamgoda area. Accordingly, they reached Pathegamgoda area yesterday afternoon. The presence of strong sunshine was more supportive for our trip. If you also want to enter this beautiful island, you can go along the Galle road from Colombo, pass Ahungalla town and reach Pathegamgoda area along the Madhuwa road, right next to the river. There is a distance of nearly three kilometers from the Pathegamgoda junction to the bridge.
Passing Pathegamgoda Junction and going along Madhuva Road, you will first meet a railway. After passing it for a short distance, the entrance gate of the ancient Gangarama temple built on 18.06.1894 was seen. Villagers call that place Goduwa. Old traditional Buddhist features are inscribed on the entrance. At the top is the Buddhist emblem and below it is the sun and the moon. Due to the protection of the temple, sculptures of different shapes of lions and elephants can be seen. The road inside the temple is a natural road.
A booth with a small Buddha statue has been built for those going to Cinnamon Island and Maduwa Island to worship without entering the temple. Generally before any risky journey, it is a practice that we have followed since ancient times to worship the Buddha. A plaque displaying the name of the person who initiated the construction of the old Gangarama temple is installed nearby.
Madhuwa Road is very well prepared with carpets. Most of this road has been rehabilitated recently. Cinnamon plantations were abundant on both sides of the road. As a result, the people of this area have secured their income, and therefore there has been a greater opportunity for the expansion of turmeric cultivation. There is a high demand for cinnamon bark in the export market. Also, there are many products that can be made from other parts of the cinnamon tree.
Slowly we reached the bridge to cross to Cinnamon Island. There was only a small area for parking. Necessary measures to construct a modern bridge using cranes etc. had already been initiated. But there is still no idea about how long it will take. Safety first is well stated.
I wasn't that nervous before entering the bridge, but after walking a short distance, I started to sway. People are not the only ones who cross this small bridge especially. It is surprising to me that not only motorcycles but also three-wheelers are traveling on this unsafe bridge. Although there is no understanding of the length of the bridge, from the above photo you can get a rough idea of the distance of the bridge.
A boat safari service is operating from Balapitiya town targeting local and foreign tourists through various events on Madu River, and while walking on the bridge, boats carrying tourists could be seen traveling on Madu River. Life jackets must be worn while going on a boat safari. The speeding motorboats cut through the river's waves bring a strange charm.
Kotduwa Raja Maha Vihara can be seen very little on the Maduwa entrance bridge. That temple is also located on one of the islands of Madhu. My cell phone camera zoomed in to show it at some distance. Monks currently live in Kotduwa Raja Mahapansala and essential materials are transported overland through boat transport services.
Boats transporting tourists are not the only ones plying the Madu River. Village fishermen also engage in freshwater fishing using boats. Some people use traditional fishing gear and catch fish from the river banks.
My mind was in turmoil until I walked half way across the unsafe bridge. What would happen if you slipped and fell to the bottom of an unfathomable river? After crossing the bridge halfway, my mind recovered. Although my wife and I felt some fear, my daughter hardly felt fear. She walked forward with ease on the cement and wooden steps with a smile. Even the villagers said to be careful with small children.
From one side, the Madu river flows very quietly. What a wonderful place to experience the wonders and healing of nature. It's a beautiful experience how I enjoyed all this with preparedness before risk. Allowing young children to connect with nature from an early age can help increase their independent thinking. A moment like this, spent intimately with nature, generates amazing energy in our life.
Maduwa bridge has many dangerous areas. This is just one such place. In other places, even unsecured pieces of wood were installed due to peeling cement steps. Although it is not much of a hindrance to walk, riding motorcycles and three-wheelers is very risky. However, the islanders drive as usual. Construction of the new bridge should be considered as soon as possible before life is at risk. And the large space on the iron fence on both sides of the bridge is not suitable for small children.
From the Maduwa Bridge, we entered the Cinnamon Island, enjoying the beauty of the Madu River. I didn't think of walking too far on the island because there was a risk of crossing the bridge if it rained. If so, we will have to stay on the island instead of going home.
The color of Madhu and the sky shines blue while the trees on the land and island reflect green. The sunlight fell on the surface of the water and gave it a sparkling appearance.
In the truest sense of the word, cinnamon is the most abundant in the island. Perhaps that is the reason why this island is named Cinnamon Island. From what I have heard, they produce delicious cinnamon here. Once before I went by boat to an island close to this island. There, the cinnamon bark that the villagers gave us had a fresh taste and aroma. The islands around the Madu River have a swampy environment with mangroves, but the cinnamon plantation grows wonderfully.
There is a small bridge to go from Cinnamon Island to Madua Island. Cinnamon Island is a small island and there was a primary school on Madua Island. The role played by the mangrove plant system in preventing river bank erosion as well as for the distribution of freshwater fish is tremendous. Tolerating the swamp environment, the mangrove roots rise above the water and add a stunning look. At all times of the year, mangrove species of different varieties grow in a shining green color.
Looking closely at the Madu river, we could see shrimp cultivation boxes in several places. These are made by adding reed strips from underwater over a certain range. Fresh water shrimps are also in high demand in the market. But maintenance of these shrimp cages is not easy.
If you want to go on safari in Madu, you can buy boats not only from Balapitiya town but also near the bridge to Maduwa Island. A few boats are anchored on the river bank hoping to welcome visitors. Two people told me that with the fuel crisis last season, the income of these boatmen has also decreased. So I have to say that you should also enjoy nature as it is beautiful.