Sri Lanka Central - Part 2

I had a comment that I need to write more and with more details… so, here you go..

On Day 4, we decided to take things easy. We were driven to the view point of Kandy Town – a UNESCO heritage town, took a leisure stroll on the main track in the Udawatakale National Forest  to enjoy the lovely canopy of teak trees and creepers, and sat on the longest creeper in the country! 

Viewpoint of Kandy Town

A walk in the forest amongst the Teak Trees and creepers

Longest Vine in the country

The afternoon was more of a shopping trip to a Co-operative handicraft centre. Our Guide explained that as he was sponsored by the government on the Tourism course, he has to bring us there. On that, I do appreciate his honesty and it turned out that the prices for handicraft, tea cups and souvenirs were reasonable. Our next stop was interesting. It was at a wood furniture shop and we were taken through the actual wood carving section . We found the most exquisite wood carving teak, rubber, mahogany and Ebony furniture. There were a couple of items to Singapore! Wow. 

Sample of stone & wood carving

Table sold and going to Singapore

Craftsman @ Work

 

We ended our day at Mlesna Tea Centre, this the number one selling brand in Sri Lanka, followed by Dilmah and Lipton. We sat down for a lovely cup of tea but the aroma of Celyon tea was enough to send me into the shop. 

We continued our Day 5 into the heart of the Central Sri Lanka and its tea plantation. It is acres and acres of it and also waterfalls upon waterfalls. Our lunch was at a café right next to Ramboda waterfall and faces a distant Una waterfall..Life is so serene. 

Ramboda Water on our Left

Una Waterfall in front of us

 We had the luxury of visiting Mackwoods Tea plantation at an elevation of 1900 metres  and the processing plant. This plantation was founded in 1841, auctions  the best tea in Colombo and exports mainly to the UK. And this is the estate that Prince William drop by on his round of visits to the Commonwealth nation!

 

Tea Plantation

How tea leaves are dried

Mackwood Teahouse - tea is served in teapot

Outside of the tea house - looks very English

 

Kudo to  the English for introducing tea planting to this country and for Sri Lanka to continue producing one of the finest tea in the world. But the work is done by South Indians who were brought in by the British then to undertake this painstaking work. Why, only the top tea leaves with a bud is pucked every week in all weather conditions.Today the trade has been passed down to 4^th generation and employing 2 million people.

 

Mackwoods was the start of our journey to the town Nuwara Eliya – Little Engalnd. We could see why it is called “Little England” the landscape, architecture and Gregory Lake emulate that of English lifestyle. Unfortunately, we did not stay here as I thought the cost of the accommodation was too much and decided to book our night at another town Banderawela, an hour drive away. Pics of Nuwara Eliya Town

Formerly known as Hunter's Club - now a Hotel

King's Hotel

Gregory Lake - boat peddling, canoeing activities are available here

 Day 6 : Another day of hiking (along the railway track) to the top of a waterfall, Ella Gap and Rock. We were totally exhausted when we reached the top but our handy bag of discuits and sweets were a saver at replenishing our energy.

The weather changed shortly after we completed our 6 km hike and we had to put on our raincoat and take shelter at a nearby village "Shed" and had lunch there, which produced great fried rice and noodles - err with a bit of help from our Tour Guide!

Walking along the Railway track - yes, it is safe

Friendly locals waving at us

 

Ella Gap

Ella Rock (View from the Top)

 

 

 

Our Lunch Venue - Love it!

 

 

 The drizzle continued into the 7th day and so we decided to chill out at our Bungalow at Banderawela. You see, our bungalow is an old colonial house, 70 years old, renovated and converted into a holiday bungalow and best of all has a Butler and Cook!

Some pictures of the Bungalow - Samanpaya

So, we decided to treat ourselves to a BBQ dinner that night and some of us went "marketing" at the local market in the morning. The BBQ dinner was a hit, taste wise, service by the Butler.. life was great, Men! Pics of the Market :

Our central Sri Lanka trip ended with a BBQ dinner in a big house at a town 1200 metres above sea level. The People, Scenery, Tea plantation, our Guide and of course the food and great company added to a very memorable 1st half of our trip.