15 Nov, Ella

Breakfast in the digs was actually pretty good: 1000 LRP got me an omelette, some kind of banana pancakes, toast + butter + jam/jelly, melon, pineapple and a pot of coffee. So off I went with a spring in my step to walk down the hill to check out the view of Mount Ella. It's okay in a small mountain, large hill kind've way. But the humidity is still bad and the visibility isn't great for distances.
Walking back into Ella and taking a different road out passed a pretty fine hindu shrine. By this time I was into walking a bit further, so I threw caution to the wind and headed through the jungle for the 'Nine Arches Bridge'. This was a bit more like it: crowds of people hanging around on old railway tracks by a bridge.
Ribble Viaduct it certainly isn't, but it seems to be the biggest/best they've got. Walking back via the tunnel and tracks to Ella Railway Station in the drizzle was a bit odd.
Checking trains at the station helped me decide I'll go to Nuwara Eliya tomorrow. It's sort of on the way to Kandy anyway, but I can squeeze in a half-day visit and not need to spend a night there.
A bit more mooching around Ella was pleasant enough, but the rain got worse and I nipped back to my digs.
Time for a few observations:
The Sri Lankan people are generally lovely; cheerful and welcoming. This appears to be even after the death and destruction following the 2004 Earthquake and Tsunami.
They seem to be quite proud of what they have and are known for: tea, some old Colonial remnants, good surfing beaches.
As you might be able to see from this, they haven't a great deal, but muddle along quite well anyway.Read more