After a hard working week at Sabaragamuwa University myself, Laura and Bhargavi decided to relax, to have some fun, chill… what better way than by scaling a 2,375ft mountain in the heart of the hill country of Sri Lanka.

The name of our mountain, the famous Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada stands amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in Sri Lanka. Cascading water falls, rain forests and sheering rock faces backdrop the spectacular temple both at the base and the summit of Adam’s Peak. It was to be the hardest climb I had ever done but with support and high spirit in abundance, we set off to conquer the five thousand two hundred steps.

We skipped breakfast, as four hundred rupees for a boiled egg was pushing it a little, so tanked up on cream crackers and lemon puff biscuits we set off. At the base of the mountain were statues, idols and monuments as we paid our homage to the Buddha and Gods who for thousands of years, for thousands of people all over the world, have been attached to this ancient mountain and their footprints that are said to lie at its peak.

The climb was long, the steps uneven and broken worn down by those faithful many who scale it each year, yet for us the path was quiet and tranquil. The silence made for a spiritual climb for us all, for some a climb of personal endeavour, for me a climb for someone else, our reasons were different but our goal was shared – to reach the peak together and sound the bell at the top.

The climb became steeper and steeper, at one point I had to scramble on my hands and knees, the view of Sri Lanka lay at my feet and I felt as though I was at the top of the entire world. The wind battered us, making the pilgrimage as tough and as arduous as a pilgrimage should be. Bhargavi found the climb a particularly hard challenge but she not only took on the mountain with a smile and spirit I have grown to love in Bhargavi but with a determination that carried her to the summit in under four hours.

We took off our shoes and boots and entered into the sacred temple to ring the bell for the amount of times we had climbed the peak. Laura gave three rings and myself and Bhargavi one ring each, our first which echoed around the mountain chain and resonated our achievement for all to hear.

The climb down was harder, it sounds ridiculous but our legs were like jelly and we held onto the rail for dear life so as not to trip and fall to the bottom. Three hours later we made it to the bottom, Laura rang a huge bell at the bottom which nearly pulled her into a comical face plant with 2 ton goliath.

The cost of eight curries, rice and chips was completely worth it back at the White House hotel and we celebrated to reggae music, food and memories of the day. We slept soundly that night, all of us content in our achievement and proud of each other. The climb had defined us individuals but more importantly defined our friendship, an experience that I will never forget.