25-Aug-2026 -- 8°N 81°E marked the third and final confluence point visit of our Sri Lankan trip, following our visits to 7°N 80°E and 7°N 81°E. Unlike the previous two, which felt a bit clandestine, this was by far the most enjoyable albeit not the easiest to reach as the point itself sits in a paddy field!

From the road, a short walk along a curved track runs alongside a stream (which proved very useful later). Narrow mud embankments radiate from this track to divide the paddies. After double-checking our location, I identified the correct bank—the one aligned with the electricity pylon in the distance.

My primary concern was encountering unwelcome local wildlife, particularly snakes since we had removed our shoes and socks. Flip-flops were unsuitable for the terrain, so we proceeded barefoot. This proved to be the best method. Although I knew Sri Lankans themselves work barefooted in these paddys I still minimized risk by using walking poles to gently probe the path ahead. Despite the hot, prickly ground, we made steady progress past a prominent tree until I left Natasha at a safe vantage point where I left the raised bank and entered the paddy field to cover the final metres to the point.

Navigating the deep mud and irrigation channel barefoot was initially daunting, but it quickly became quite straightforward, and dare I say it, rather pleasant with the cool squelching mud between my toes! With a quick bit squelching back and forth to align the coordinates, I secured the 'all zeros' photo. After rejoining Natasha, we walked back to our patient spectators and used the concrete-lined stream near the main track to wash off and celebrate before driving on to Trincomalee where we ended our day on a lovely beach!