Nuwara Eliya

March 30th

Good Friday but I have not spotted any Hot Cross buns although bakers are common and they make good pastries and cakes.

Yesterday we left Kandy to drive to Nuwara Eliya which is at 2000m and is known as little England. On the way we visited a tea plantation and saw the whole process. There is only one species of tea bush and so different flavours are obtained by using only certain leaves. It was a surprise to me that tea plucked early in the morning was on its way to Colombo that same afternoon.

More beautiful gardens.

This town had plenty of greenery as decoration.

We did not know why until we got to the Hindu temple where there was plenty of activity.

Still don't know which god is being honored.

Numerous waterfalls. 

Roadside stall selling various tasty treats including curry puffs and sesame balls.

 In tea country. The bushes are pruned as otherwise they would grow up to 9m.

Around the tea factory there were beds of dahlias.

 

 The tea is withered using large fans to remove most of the water.

The end of the day and 50 kg bags of tea ready to go to Colombo for export mostly to England.

There is a local market, too.

After the tour and complementary cup of tea and not free chocolate cake we arrived in Nuwara Eliya and stocked up on local beer.

 The Grand Hotel built in 1891 and Queen Victoria would feel at home here.

Gardens of the Grand hotel.

The Hopper bar at breakfast in the Grand

The pink Post Office

The Ideal hospital where I got good service for my infected leg.

Shopping for fabric

 

 School children energetically washing cars to raise money for schooling.

Horse rides at Lake Gregory.