Climbing Sri Pada: An Experience of a Lifetime

Adam’s Peak: Buddhist Pilgrimage at Dawn

This was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Sri Pada, also known as Adam’s peak, is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka for people of ALL religions. That was the coolest thing about this… Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Buddhist all climbed together. And isn’t that how it should be? It’s truly a metaphor for all religions leading to the same end point.

We stayed in Dalhousie, a small town at the base of the mighty “Adam’s Peak.” You have to take a tuk tuk or taxi from Hatton to get there. We stayed at place right by the start of the climb called The Green House. There doesn’t seem to be a website for it, but just ask around when you get off the bus (you can walk from the bus station) and you’ll surely find it.

It was a surreal experience to be climbing the path in the dark. The path is well lit and there were other people starting at the same time. There are many tea shops on the way. In fact, at point in the climb I had a somewhat hilarious experience with tea. I stumbled as I was carrying tea back to Seema and I fell and crashed in slow motion. Everyone laughed at me including the monks and myself! We could not stop laughing. Then, a sweet sweet family felt bad for me and offered to buy me another tea! It was a gesture I’ll never forget. The experience of this climb was “we’re all in this together,” and it’s felt through the journey.

Starting point… 1 am.

Erica Camille is a LGBT destination wedding photographer and travel blogger based in New York City and Koh Samui Thailand. Named one of the “Top 10 Travel Blogs” by Movehub.org, her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Buzzed, Refinery 29, Heaps Magazine, and publications worldwide.
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