Crazy train rides, breathtaking vistas, tea plantations rolling over hills for miles. Cool climes and staggering waterfalls – Little towns and yet more spicy curry. Tea country we have arrived.
Looking up at the towering scenery around, waterfalls streak the green mountains with frothy white. This one high and thunderous such a powerful sound. Stiff climb but we are getting used to uphill hikes!! Views at the top always the carrot and this one didn’t disappoint.
Nurwara Eliya is a beautiful area in the central plains. Famous for its tea plantations. Bright green bushes roll for miles stunning but there is an ugly side as always when we talk, tea, coffee, sugar or chocolate. When we were there the tea pickers were on strike wanting an increase in pay to 1000 rupees a day (or about $7 or £4.50 a day) Avoid Liptons everyone they are here still here playing the same game.
Nurwara Eliya is a small place good for a few days but we were ready to move on to our next spot Ella by train. Supposedly one of the most beautiful train trips on the planet. these tickets were hard to get and we could only get the 4pm ones which was not ideal as the journey is four hours and it gets dark at 6pm – well never mind 2 hours is better than none -We stood at the station for our 4 pm train to Ella -by 5pm the train still hadn’t come and our hopes for seeing anything were dwindling. Finally around the corner she came our old red gel born in the 1950’s possibly Canadian. (Canadian trains were donated to Sri Lanka in the fifties) Slow but still chugging. Well we thought we’ve still got one hour to see this magnificent scenery.
First class tickets we had, hmmmm, if this was first class what was 3rd? Rusty old fans screwed to the roof, ripped seats and windows which barely opened and the toilet omg the toilet… yikes the worst one yet
Lance had fun tho hanging out of the train along with the other young travellers .- interesting to note we are noticing a distinct lack of older folks around – its us and the 20 somethings!! where are the grey nomads?
We took a walk the next day to try and get some pics of the red train we were on yesterday coming over the viaduct. Yeah you can see it above. Gorgeous scenery.
All through Sri Lanka along the roadsides or in the villages we noticed the beautiful produce displayed so artfully. Here is the daily market in Ella.
We all a bit tired now and looking forward to some relative luxury at the beach Mirrissa here we come.