RTW Day 73 - Nuwara Eliya

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One last adventure before we begin our journey home is a train trip to the Hill Country. It consists of a 6 hour journey and a 13 degree difference in temperature.

We go to the station for our 9.45 train. The rolling stock looks like it belongs in a museum. However, at 9.46 a whistle blows, and we’re off. One minute behind schedule – how often can Southern Rail manage that?

We have tickets in Observation Class, which is supposed to offer a good view, but the seats are facing backwards, so looking out of the window for too long makes me dizzy.

Once out of Colombo we start to climb, a total of 1889 metres in total. The scenery is stunning but the journey is like something from a nightmare. We are crammed into a sweltering hot compartment with no refreshments; we drink all our water within the first two hours. There are lots of children, jumping from seat to seat, many have plastic horns which they blow constantly. We wind our way onwards never seeming to get any closer to our destination and there are several unexplained delays.

By the time we reach our destination, Nanu Oya, over 7 hours later, and an hour behind schedule, I am tired, thirsty, grumpy and have a thumping headache.

Our hotel has sent a car to collect us. It’s a lovely boutique establishment in the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, overlooking a tea plantation. On arrival we are served drinks and a very tasty Sri Lankan curry. Then we retire for the night.

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