My journey. Teaching in China and exploring the world. |
My journey. Teaching in China and exploring the world. |
Our journey to EllaOff we went around the winding roads of Sri Lanka towards Nuwara Eliya where we were doing the iconic train journey for 2 hours to Ella our next destination. We stopped off at some scenic spots, including the Devon Waterfall! Christy, our driver, sorted out our tickets which was great and although there were no first class (seats and really cheap!) touts were selling them on the platform so we did get them in the end. Just meant it was cooler, less crowded and we could sit down when we wanted to. And who did we bump into as we walked onto the train - our faves The Brophys!!!!! We knew they were on route to Ella but had no contact with them about trains and things, and especially not the same carriage! The journey was amazing! The views were vast, varied and the colours of the landscape were so vivd. The old train was rickety and did not go very fast, you could sit with your legs out of the doors and people were clambering on and off every now and then. Our driver met us the other end and there were so many backpackers and tourists, for the first time this trip we felt like we were in a place which was full of people!! Our accommodation was set up into the hill and was a lovely little cottage (1 of 4) in a quiet area with beautiful views: Lavendra Paradise. The breakfast was great and there was so much food... and only a 10minute walk into the main area with the restaurants and shops of Ella. We headed into Ella to Cafe Chill which was a great place over 3 different floors. The top one has beanbags and surprisingly a chilled vibe. There was a good selection of food and drinks...
0 Comments
Day 5: Climbing Adams PeakWe were up and starting our climb in the dark at 2.30am (!!!) and we had met a couple on their honeymoon who joined us as well which was lovely to have a chat whilst we embarked on our climb. The guide was very good at telling us how far we had left to go and facts about this pilgrimage that Buddhists and people of Sri Lanka make. As it was not peak season it was not very busy on our climb - which was 1000m UP!!! And comprised of 5,831 steps of varying steepness and 4 different types! We made it up to the top by 5am awaiting the sunrise and were a little disappointed as it was starting to cloud over (this is the issue out of season!) but at least it was not raining. What it was though - was BALTIC! Make sure you pack a change of top so the sweat doesn't dry cold on you after the climb and hat, gloves and warm clothing as you wait for the sun to rise. We did get a glimmer of first light which was great but didn't stay for more than an hour as the guide said it would not get any better. So we enjoyed the view on the way down... when we got out of the clouds! It was interesting to hear that during peak season, especially on public holidays or when it is a full moon, it can take 5 hours just to do the last part as it is so packed!! And its a step every 30minutes.... wow. So although the weather was going to be hit and miss. I would much rather it this way. And given that I have never climbed a peak this size before I was very proud of my achievements! About Adams Peak (Sri Pada) At the top of this peak around 110BC a King found what was believed to be Buddha's footprint here. In the 14th Century the explorer Marco Polo visited and stated what a treacherous climb it was. It has become a pilgrimage for more than 1000 years with the season starting on the Poya Day in December through to the Vesak Festival in May. The descent...Was everything I had read about... shakey legs and endless endless stepping down!! Luckily it was light so you could take in the view around you!
Day 4: Colombo - Nallathannyia (home of Adams' Peak)We started our journey to Adams Peak or Sri Padya as it is known to locals in the town of Nallathanniya. It was going to be quite a drive but Christy took us on a scenic route through the hills and mountains of this region to get there. He also gave us more of a flavour for Sri Lanka along the way, with a man picking wild Jasmine flowers by a monument we were looking at, giving us some to smell (which will now always be the smell which reminds me of Sri Lanka). And also stopping at the roadside stalls trying fruits. A strong favourite are the Rambutan which is very similar to a lychee in the UK. We stopped for lunch by the river in an area which does white water rafting and lake activities called Kitulgala. We couldn’t get over how green and vivid the landscape was as we looped around the steep hill roads. And it was great to see row upon row of the tea plantations and tea pluckers going about their working day. With a few stops and lunch along the way it took us 6 hours to make our journey. The place we stayed in, Queensark, was a nice little place with a lovely view over the river and to the countryside. A bit weird when you arrive as there is not an actual building you can see, it is all downstairs and built out over the river!! The owner is building more rooms when he can afford it and getting things up and running haven't been easy. It was lovely to hear his story and his vision for the future. Nimal who owned it could not have been more helpful and welcoming either. He arranged for a guide to take us up Adams Peak at 2.30am the next morning as well as providing tea, coffee and sandwiches for when we reached the top. The chef here cooked us an incredible curry for dinner and with all the sides too! Sri Lanka knows how to do a good curry that is for sure!! Day 3: Colombo
We walked down to the Pettah Market area which was selling everything and anything and was a hustle and bustle in the streets much like any other market in Asia! Here you will find the Dutch Museum amid the madness... not quite what I was expecting but I am sure it is of some interest to someone?! From everything I saw in Colombo, I still couldn't get over some of the buildings. They were beautiful and within poorer areas of the city there was a stark contrast. And a reminder of when they were part of the British colony until 1948. We then explored Galle Fort area, which is basically a green which looks out from the West Coast of Sri Lanka. Nice to take a walk along here, but not so nice to see a man who had kept a monkey as a pet and was trying to get us to watch him make the monkey do tricks. But on our walk here we got a glimpse of our first Sri Lankan train which was great to see with the backdrop of the sea as well. We had our first taste of Sri Lankan curry at a food court in the basement of a shopping mall a 5 minute walk south of the fort. There were lots of local people getting their lunches here which was a good sign of the quality of the food!! It was pretty spicy!! Luckily there was an ice-cream shop conveniently placed here too, and there were locals getting ice cream too; so it wasn't just me who needed to cool my mouth down haha! We changed hotels to Whitehouse Residences as there had been a mix up in the booking in the other one...namely I had only booked one night haha!!! But this meant we were based a bit further South of the Fort area so had another base to explore. We went for a walk to the main park in Colombo which was behind the National Museum, and had lots of artists displaying and selling their work which made for an interesting walk. The museum was a grand building and whilst we did not go in (much to Matt's disappointment!!) the building was iconic to Colombo and good to see. The lonely planet guidebook is our bible this trip along with peoples recommendations and trip advisor... and I was surprised this was not in it. there is a novelty Cricket Club Bar/Restaurant which is filled with signed items and cricket memorabilia from throughout the years. There is an outdoor bar area too if you don't want to sit with all the cricket items and watch replays/live action but it was a lovely place to have a drink after our walk!
|
Author:
|