Third Teardrop Island Trip

March 2020 - April 2024

Travelling in the SW corner of Sri Lanka with a wedding near Colombo. Read more

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- Mar 2, 2020, 2:15pm
- ☀️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 23 m
- England Hillingdon Heathrow Heathrow Terminal 4 51.458835, -0.44924151°27’32” N 0°26’57” W
Day 1
Departure from LHR
March 2, 2020 in England ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C
Waiting at T4 for PB to be ready to take us to Sri Lanka via Doha. Lovely day after all the storms. Kandy tomorrow.
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- Mar 3, 2020, 1:25am
- 🌙 17 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Qatar Baladīyat ad Dawḩah Kulayb Hamad International Airport 25.262971, 51.61290525°15’47” N 51°36’46” E
Day 2
Change planes in Doha
March 3, 2020 in Qatar ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
We got off a nearly empty A380 and after two hours will soon board a much more busy B777 bound for Colombo. Noise cancelling headphones at the ready.
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- Mar 3, 2020, 5:40pm
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 509 m
- Sri Lanka Central Province Kandy Temple of the Tooth 7.292845, 80.641457°17’34” N 80°38’29” E
Day 2
Kandy
March 3, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We landed a little early just after nine following a smooth flight. Progress through immigration and baggage collection was good and we met Malick our driver at about ten. The warm sunny weather was a treat and we set off on our drive. The roads seemed much better than on our last visit, and less honking of horns. Buses still as menacing. Our limousine is a Honda hybrid, 5 years old according to Malick.
We stopped once for tea and for a train to pass and arrived here at The Rahd in Kandy around two.
A little catchup snooze was in order. And the coconut snacks delicious.
We took a stroll by the lake and local explore guided by advice from the chap on reception on where to eat: local dosai and beers at the Royal Bar where we arrived during a power cut.Read more
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- Mar 4, 2020
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 1,159 m
- Sri Lanka Central Province Pusse-Ela 7.402823, 80.8307427°24’10” N 80°49’51” E
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Day 3
Trekking Knuckles Ranges
March 4, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
After a good night’s sleep and breakfast we met Malick at 08.30 for a drive out to the Knuckles ranges. Past Rangala and Elagola we stopped and changed into a 4 wheel drive with our guide VJ. The road wound up and through Duckwari tea plantations of Finlay’s.
Our guide suggested two routes one to a waterfall the other up a peak. Both started with what turned out to be a stiff climb in hot sunshine with which we struggled; 700 m in 1500 m. There was some spectacular scenery, flowers and a few birds but it took quite a while and scrambling to reach the waterfall. It was a lovely spot and welcome cool water. It was even more of a challenge climbing up from there and we were definitely flagging when we descended the challenging climb and both of us had some slips and needed the help of our guide to get us down in one piece.
We just managed to clamber up into the jeep and were well pleased to meet up with Malick for a ride home. Even this proved a challenge as we passed the Kandy cricket ground where Sri Lanka were playing West Indies and the traffic was even more chaotic than usual.
Shower was welcomed and a short walk to the Empire Cafe for excellent meal followed up by a beer in the bar of the old Queens Hotel.Read more
Traveler Aah, bliss.......
3/5/20Reply
Traveler Wow that sounds like a bit of a trial but the views look worth it!
3/7/20Reply
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- Mar 5, 2020, 12:56pm
- ☁️ 28 °C
- Altitude: 1,028 m
- Sri Lanka Province of Uva Ella 6.871167, 81.0461866°52’16” N 81°2’46” E
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Day 4
Mountain Heavens
March 5, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
We awoke more or less in one piece and able to walk after the exertion of the day before.
At 09.30 we set off for the botanical gardens 5km away. We joined a group from South Carolina, escaping the cold they said, on an electric buggy tour. The driver was most knowledgable and gave a thorough detailed tour of gardens that date back to Victorian times with many trees planted by visiting world leaders. The gardens were used as a means of trying out plants from all over the world for commercial exploitation.
From there we took the road to Nuwara Eliya stopping along the way at Storefield 1930 tea factory for a tour and tasting. One of the machines was made in Belfast in 1936 and is still running.
Further along we stopped for buffet lunch overlooking a waterfall. Much easier than walking! J’s Lion beer was frozen so we shared one!
The road wound through tea plantations and then market gardens with some fabulous produce on sale at the roadside.
Arriving at Mountain Heavens was amazing perched with fantastic views over little Adams Peak with infinity pool that had to be tried. By the time we went to the bar before dinner mist had come in and cut out all views. It will be interesting to see what there is to see in the morning. We can hear the railway though.Read more
Traveler Now that’s how you do tea!
3/7/20Reply
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- Mar 6, 2020
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: 956 m
- Sri Lanka Province of Uva Gotuwela 6.876837, 81.0609976°52’37” N 81°3’40” E
Day 5
Nine Arch Bridge
March 6, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
A leisurely start with excellent breakfast. Picked up at 11.00 by our driver in a tuktuk we descended into town, dropped off the driver and set off past Ella station and then through tea plantations on a track whose quality varied considerably towards our destination, nine arches bridge. This was built at the beginning of the previous century, opening in 1921. Constructed of stone and concrete where most others are steel or wood.
Our route entailed at one point only one of us able to travel up the steep incline so the driver made two trips up that hill. On arrival the crowds were gathering and we just had time to walk over the bridge and back before the train arrived on time. Having crossed the bridge the train disappeared through tunnel 40. Quite a spectacle.
Coming back we stopped off in town for a snack lunch in Ice Cube then chilled away the afternoon in Mountain Heaven.Read more
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- Mar 7, 2020, 12:00pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 1,611 m
- Sri Lanka Central Province Nanu Oya 6.942136, 80.7436296°56’32” N 80°44’37” E
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Day 6
Travels by train and car
March 7, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Another bright morning and excellent breakfast with view. We were up a bit earlier so that we could drive along to Demodara station, uniquely built on top of the tunnel of a loop in the railway. The train first appears in the cutting below having emerged from the tunnel, loops round 900 m and appears in the station platform from the same direction. Our first class accommodation aboard a new train from China was clean and comfortable.
Leaving at just after nine, our first call was nine arch bridge, followed by Ella after which we proceeded past our hotel and on through winding tea plantations and market gardens towards Haputale. Here there’s a spectacular views down both sides.
The train meandered on into steep forests across deep ravines before emerging by a waterfall and many more vegetable gardens and tea plantations. Most of the line is at tremendous altitude and climbs from 900m to almost 2000m.
We got off at Nuan Oya but the train carries on th Kandy then Colombo Fort.Read more
Traveler Wow!!
3/7/20Reply
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- Mar 7, 2020, 3:15pm
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 537 m
- Sri Lanka Province of Sabaragamuwa Kinchigune Weralugasmankada Berawaula 6.699451, 80.7808466°41’58” N 80°46’51” E
Day 6
Retracing our steps
March 7, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Malick was on hand to meet us off the train at Nuan Oya. His drive had taken just 30 minutes less. He took us up into Nuwara Eliya for a short boat trip round Lake Gregory, named after a former governor.
We then drove the route of two days before, back to Banderawella before striking off to Haputale, following the train line back almost to where we started.
Here though we descended the escarpment before reaching our destination at Sennya Resorts on the edge of Horton Plains nature reserve and nestling below the mountains.
We had to be talked in by the manager on the phone and the driveway almost demanded a 4x4 to get up. Accommodation is a lodge set among trees with three glass sides. There are white curtains all round also! The pool is magnificent and there is abundant wildlife. These are good as we have called off our hike tomorrow; still recovering from Wednesday white knuckles walk!!
Evening meal was meant to be a buffet although we have seen no other guests. So it was an ‘as if ‘ buffet. We were escorted by a very nice security guard who told us they sometimes get wild buffalo and boar.Read more
Traveler Sounds very exciting and adventurous x
3/7/20Reply
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- Mar 8, 2020, 12:57pm
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 537 m
- Sri Lanka Province of Sabaragamuwa Kinchigune Weralugasmankada Berawaula 6.699738, 80.7810216°41’59” N 80°46’52” E
Day 7
A day of rest and recovery
March 8, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
We enjoyed relaxing in the resort today , in between trips to the docs to sort out a bump on the head which has resulted in a very colourful black eye for Andrew. Hotel staff and our driver Malick have been great and the medics too and have concluded no long lasting damage has occurred.Read more
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- Mar 9, 2020, 6:53pm
- 🌙 28 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sri Lanka Southern Province Aranwala Yakinigeduwa 5.965593, 80.3826035°57’56” N 80°22’57” E
Day 8
Moving on south
March 9, 2020 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Another sunny day in paradise. We arose in one piece, no one having fallen during the night. Excellent Sri Lanka buffet breakfast and fond farewells from the manager and staff who have been so kind and considerate.
Malick headed off not in the expected direction but back towards Haputale. Before then though we turned right down the A4 which turned out little more than a track and some slightly hairy moments ensued!
We stopped at Diyaluma Falls , 650ft high and the 2nd highest in Sri Lanka, and at the local Inn for tea, where the owner told us his daughter lived in Romford. The falls are really spectacular in the wet season.
Carying on we eventually reached the turning south. At this point I was definitely wondering how long it would take us, not realising the new expressway would whisk us to our destination in no time.
Our room in Garton’s Cape is spectacular with two balconies and fabulous sea views. We enjoyed it light lunch then stroll along the beach and dip in the pool. Magic.Read more
Traveler Paradise indeed xxx
3/9/20Reply
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