Nuwara Eliya - A Breath of Fresh Air

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We got up to the dawn chorus and headed off to Nuwara Eliya for two nights. Sandra, Karen and I headed off to the mountains to try and cool off. The drive was beautiful, the scenery was out of this world, so tranquil yet in its own little way, so busy - watching the tea pickers at work and the children selling flowers on the side of the road, chasing our car to make a few rupees. We did actually buy some on the way home for our Sri Lankan mum. As we arrived at our hotel, The Glen Dower we were just in awe - the flowers, the buildings, the weather - it was if we had stepped back in time. It was how I imagined England would have looked some 100 years ago. The temperature had dropped from about 90F in our home town, Pollonaruwa, to about 60F - which is a massive drop! It was like a breath of fresh air. We had some "real food", by that I mean, not a curry! We had a fantastic Chinese meal one night, then went up to the Grand Hotel the second night and had an Italian!! just such a pleasant change. After so long living off curry and fruit, which in itself is fine, one needs real food from time to time!! We walked around the town which was very old fashioned in parts, I must say the people there were far more forward than in Pollonaruwa, they made lots of gestures, and have obviously had more contact with the western world judging by some of the suggestions!!! Its not a place that I would feel safe wandering around on my own, not like here. It made a lovely change not having to have a fan on at night, we even had a blanket on the bed - which until I got there would not have believed that I would've needed one. The other lovely aspect of it was all the flowers and gardens, so neatly preserved - (oh no am I sounding old?) maybe deep down we know where our roots are? We all think we need to escape England - but how nice is it when we see something that reminds us of home?

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Photos

Tea Picker
The "In Charge"

Penny For Them?
New Fashion Statement

Glen Dower Hotel
This is the Hotel we stayed in

As we arrived
remind you of anywhere?

Tea Pickers
poor things having to work for peanuts in the pouring rain!!

The Workers
taking a tea break!

Grand Hotel
our walk home after dinner

The Butchers
this is why I dont eat meat here!!

Karen
Trying out all our pashmeenas we boughtin in Kandy

Waterfall
on route up the mountains

Countryside
what bliss