It
was the most amazing train journeys I ever had, owing to the fact
that I detest train journeys otherwise. One really need to be there
to experience this. The journey lasted for about 5 hours passing
through tea estates, rivers, waterfalls, small villages from Colombo
to Nanu Oya with Expo Rail (book tickets online). There is no train
service to Nuwara Eliya as it does not have a station; the nearest is
Nanu Oya, about 8 km and from there take a 45 minutes taxi ride to
Nuwara Eliya aka little England.
After
checking in the Park View hotel that we booked, we went out to
explore the tiny town although it was sunset and everything was
shutting down. We had dinner at one of the road side restaurant and
went back to catch up with our lost sleep.
Next
day we started very early as we have time only till 1130 am before we
head back to the station to catch the train to Kandy. That means we
only had 3 to 4 hours since sunrise. The weather here is just perfect
to grow teas. I woke to a beautiful blue sky and sunshine which
remained all morning till we left.
The
town centre is small enough to walk around. If you still feel like
seeing everything, hire a tuk-tuk. We started walking. The weather
was very pleasant with day temperature as low as 15 degree! The town
has a huge Golf court in the middle, along with the heading to the
racecourses. These are sort of traditions left from the colonial era.
The first mistake that many people make about this town is to assume
it be to like England. It does has remarkable similarities but this
is still Sri Lanka. Yes the mix of british and Sri Lanka makes for an
unique and somewhat bizarre cultural experience thats cant be seen
anywhere else.
But
one of the main attractions is the Race Course ground. Here you will
find many people riding horses as part of their ritual or training.
Gosh it will be so much peaceful to just stop and look at those
bright lush green lawns. As far as I came to know this is the only
proper race course in Sri Lanka. I am not sure how often the course
is used for horses but there are plenty of ponies hanging about, kids
cricket matches going on and its used as a shortcut through the town.
Due
to lack of timing we missed going to close to the Lake Gregory which
is a kilometer outside the town centre. But we did see it from a
distance the blue mass of water set against the surrounding hills. It
is a man made lake and one of the more popular tourist destinations
here. If you are fan of activities such as boating and walking around
the lake then head here. Inshallah
next time.
The
other things we missed were the tea plantations and some botanical
gardens. :(
overall
Nuwara Eliya still has a very British feel, as can be seen in
the appearance of many of the buildings, in various colonial styles.
REMEMBER:
- If you are going out in the evening I would strongly recommend you carry a torch as in the dark you wont be able to see the holes in the pavements leading to the sewers.
- Have delicious breakfast at Remarko.
- Look out for the famous PINK POST OFFICE
- The nights might get cold but the days are very hot. Also it rains a lot in the hills.
Traffic cops still ride horses in Nuwara Eliya
Colonial post office (also called The Pink Post Office)
Thicket of trees lining Nuwara Eliya's lake.
A walk through quaint streets of the town.
A Pagoda
The racecourse situated right in the centre of the town
A trainer with his horse
Inderjit trying his hands at riding a pony
A colonial house
Caretaker of the racecourse
A pony relaxing off the racecourse tracks
Beautiful landscape
Colonial houses line the hills of Nuwara Eliya town. The town is also referred to as Little England.
Soaking the early morning sun and fresh air of the valley.
A sparrow peeps out from its nest.
Townscape
Our hotel was up on a hill
Farm-fresh flowers
Next, we travelled to Kandy by a train called Podi Menike. The journey was of 4 hours.
Next: Kandy.
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