‘Nothing makes me happier than being on a mountain or hugging a tree’

• Kushal Jayasena on his travel expeditions and more 

Kushal Jayasena from Colombo has always had an itch to travel around the country and explore new sites and wonders that Sri Lanka has to offer. Living in the heart of Colombo all his life has given him a newfound appreciation for the awe-inspiring landscapes that can be found here. We had a chat with him about his recent travels, and more. 

How did you discover your passion for travel?

Well…I guess from Grade Five, I used to travel by myself. The three vacations you get during school days, I was never home. I have relatives outside Colombo, so the whole month or so I would spend wandering off mainly in Elpitiya, Ginigathhena, Kandy, and Anuradhapura. So I think that’s where it all started. Nothing makes me happier than being on a mountain or hugging a tree or smelling that pure oxygen. I love it.

What is your most memorable travel experience?

It’s difficult to pick one, but my favorite place here is inside Knuckles Mountain Range and Yala. It’s always memorable whenever I’m there. Oh! And I have to mention, I have an awesome bunch of friends who do this with me. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.

Have you been anywhere which turned out to be totally different to how you imagined? If so, how?

Yes many, but very recently I did a Mahaweli River expedition for four days with this group called “EcoGrip Adventures” and man, it wasn’t anything I would’ve expected. I can’t really explain in words what I faced but that’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For days you have to carry all your gear (food, water, tents, clothes) in a kayak through white water rapids in the amazing Wasgamuwa National Park border (50 kilometres).

It’s just so beautiful. I never knew it was possible until we actually did it. You guys definitely should try it for yourselves at least once. 

What are the biggest challenges you faced during one of your travels? 

Oh well, it was actually once when we got lost inside Knuckles.

You know jungles change when it rains, and it was pouring for two days nonstop and sunlight is no more after 4 p.m. or max 5 p.m.

When that happens you get exhausted, not just physically but mentally too. You’re carrying almost close to 20 kilogrammes (kg) on your back going back and forth looking for paths, and it is just horrible. You can’t just put your camp inside that forest because there are tons of leeches and no clear space, so we managed to find a little place by the water, and camped there till the rain stopped and decided to turn back; that trip made us upgrade our gear!

What are your travel plans for the rest of the year and are there any bucket list destinations you will be ticking off? 

I found two random mountains in the Sabaragamuwa Province I’m planning on summiting hopefully, and one Sinharaja kayak expedition and another Mahaweli expedition all the way to Trinco. Also, and fingers crossed, a two weeks’ hiking trip in Nepal in September.

Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring travellers?

Oh I don’t think I’m a pro as such for advice but I hear a lot of people complaining about not having time. So, I want to say that if there’s a will, there’s a way!