Adam’s Peak

Whether we had enough sleep or not, it was tough when the alarm went off at two o’clock in the morning. We quickly got ready to be outside by a quarter past two and start our journey. It was about a fifteen-minute walk to the start of the mountain. In the distance, we could see the lights of the path on the mountain. At the beginning of the trail, we had to ring a bell to signal our presence to the sacred entity on the mountain. The monks at the start eagerly accepted donations. Many stalls selling food, warm sweaters, hats, and other items were open, hoping to attract tourists. It gave us a strange feeling. Along the way, many other tourists climbed the mountain at night. We also crossed paths with many locals heading in the opposite direction, descending from the mountain.

Long pants and sweaters were much appreciated, but initially, we were sweating heavily and quickly removed the sweater. As we climbed higher, it got colder, and we put our sweaters back on. The air also felt thinner. I had to stop once because my blood sugar levels were dropping significantly. After eating a banana and having some Sprite, we continued. We stopped once for tea and took regular breaks to rest our legs. The first section was tough to start, but it was nothing compared to the middle section. There were tall steps, no handrails, and even more steps. We got hungry and stopped to eat a Roti. Inez preferred standing instead of sitting because a mouse was running around. After the middle section, the last part was relatively more straightforward. There was a handrail, and the steps were more even.

Our final stop was at a small shop before the last 300 steps to the top. Everyone was waiting there for the right moment to climb to the top. We put on our jackets because it was getting quite cold, especially when sitting still. Tea helped keep us warm. We used the restroom and were ready to go. Inez had a slight fear of heights. When going steeply uphill and looking back, we could see the lights of the distant villages. Once we reached the top, there were many people. We had to take off our shoes, which was quite cold. We saw the temple.

According to Buddhists, it contains the footprint of Buddha, according to Hindus, it belongs to Shiva, and the Islamic and Christian beliefs associate it with Adam. This footprint symbolizes that Buddha, Shiva, or Adam set their first foot on earth here. Taking photos was not allowed. There was a two-meter-high golden statue. We tried to find a spot among the crowd to watch the sunrise, but our initial position wasn’t great. We managed to take a few photos, but we didn’t see much. With a little pushing and shuffling, we moved closer. Here, we could enjoy the breathtaking view that unfolded before us. It was stunningly beautiful.

During the sunrise, drums and flutes played, adding a magical touch to the moment. The mountains, clouds, villages, and jungle came alive. It left us in awe. After witnessing many sunrises in Australia, this one definitely topped the list. As we began the descent, it gradually got brighter, and we could see more and more how high up we were and the fantastic view of the expansive landscape. The descent was challenging at first but became easier towards the middle. It required perseverance, regular breaks, and enduring the pain. Our calves and knees let us know they had enough. My legs trembled when I stood still, and Inez’s knees were in pain. But we pressed on! Taking a break, having tea, and eating a Roti provided some relief. The last stretch was tough. It seemed never-ending.

Finally, when we arrived at our accommodation, we quickly showered and enjoyed a delicious and satisfying breakfast with lots of fruit. We relaxed on our terrace, took a short nap, and rested a lot for the rest of the day. We had a tasty curry in the evening and fell asleep soundly around 9 p.m. It was a magical day that both of us thoroughly enjoyed. The 11,000 steps and 2,243 meters up were definitely worth it.