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Andrew's Travels
Andrew's Travels

Andrew's Travels

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  • Andrew's TravelsThe South West Coastal PathViaggiatore
    Dawlish Warren; View of Exmouth / The beach
    Dawlish Warren; The Nature ReserveDawlish Warren; Langstone RockSea Wall path walk to Dawlish;Dawlish; The Brook and The Lawn / View from Lea MountSea Wall path walk to Teignmouth; Views of Hole Head at HolcombeTeignmouth; View of the Pier with The Ness behindTeignmout; Views from The PierTeignmouth; The HarbourTeignmouth, The Shaldon Ferry; View of The Ness / View back from Shaldon Beach

    Dawlish Warren to Shaldon

    11 giugno 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We are staying in St Marychurch, a part of Torquay, whilst we walk this first section of the SW Coastal Path starting at Dawlish Warren (technically, the Jurassic Coast walk from Poole to Exmouth is part of the SW Coastal Path - see previous trip in FP).

    We take the 22 bus to Dawlish Warren; this is a popular holiday resort, and the Nature Reserve is located at the mouth of the River Exe Estuary, opposite Exmouth, on a sand spit. We explore this and take the sea wall path route of the SW Coastal Path to Dawlish, which runs next to the railway line. The cliffs are Permian Red Sandstone; there are lovely views, and it is easy walking.

    Dawlish is a pretty seaside resort; the small park and play area built around the small coastal stream (Dawlish Water, aka The Brook) is known as The Lawn. We carry on along the seawall path and go up Lea Mount. This takes us via Holcombe and then another seawall path to Teignmouth.

    Teignmouth is a seaside town and fishing port at the mouth of the River Teign; we walk along the Esplanade, with views of The Ness on the other side of the river, visit the pier and reach the harbour area to take the Shaldon Ferry across the River Teign Shaldon; from here it is the 22 bus back to St Marychurch.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsDevonViaggiatore
    St Marychurch; RC Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Denis / Church of St Mary
    St Marychurch; Church of St MarySt Marychurch; Fore Street / The Chilcote MemorialSt Marychurch; The Old Town HallSt Marychurch, Bygones (recreated Victorian streets) / Babbacombe, Model VillageBabbacombe Promenade; View down / PromenadeKents Cavern; The Face / StalagmitesKents Cavern; Natural FormationsKents Cavern; The Dragon / Striated Rock

    St Marychurch, Babbacombe, Kents Cavern

    10 giugno 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We are staying in St Marychurch, a small parish of Torquay whilst walking parts of the South West Coastal Path. Torquay, along with Paignton and Brixham, are located around Torbay, aka The English Riviera ( or "Torbaydos").

    St Marychurch is named after one of its churches, St Mary, and we see this and the other church (the "twin towers") during a quick explore of the town before walking along the nearby Babbacombe Promenade - the highest in the UK - and on to Wellswood, where Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves are located.

    Formed in the early Pleistocene period from Devonian limestone, the cave system has been occupied by at least eight separate, native populations. This Stone Age labyrinth of caves is spectacular and deservedly popular.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSuffolkViaggiatore
    Moulton; The Church of St Peters
    Moulton; Packhorse bridgeGazeley; The Church of All Saints - outside / ceilingThe Church of All Saints - Tower window / sculptureDalham; The Church of St Mary the VirginThe Church of St Mary the Virgin - font / painting above chancel archDalham HallDalham; malting kiln

    The Three Churches Walk

    31 maggio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    This walk was done with the Cambridge Rambling Club, and takes in the three churches at Moulton, Gazeley, and Dalham - three villages just east of Newmarket - and much of it follows the Icknield Way.

    We start at Moulton, which is well known for both its church - the Church of St Peter - and a 15th century Packhorse bridge spanning the tiny River Kennet, on the old cart road from Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds. We leave the churchyard, and after a little road walking, take the path between the hedges of the Gazeley Stud to reach the All Saints Church and then the village itself.  From here, we cross the road and join the Icknield Way (a 110-mile route from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk), crossing fields and several woods.  There are views of the 3,000 acre Dalham Hall as we turn off for the Church of St Mary the Virgin; it is a lovely church, and there are traces of old wall paintings above the chancel arch.  The church cuts into grounds for Dalham Hall, and is right next to the viewpoint for it; one of the previous owners of Dalham Hall and stud farm was Cecil Rhodes, the Victorian empire-builder and founder of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), but it is now owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE.  As we walk down into the village, we pass an old and large conical red-brick malting kiln.  After a packed lunch in Dalham Village Hall, we double back past the malting kiln and turn off to follow a footpath along the River Kennet back to the Church of St Peter at Moulton

     A good, 7-mile walk.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsRHS GardensViaggiatore
    Hyde Hall farmhouse and Great Pond / Thatched Barn
    Robinson Garden / View along path en route to Lower PondLower Pond, with views up to the Hilltop GardenGlobal Growth Vegetable Garden / Hilltop GardenDry GardenDry Garden; View / Bronze animal sculptureDry Garden; Bronze animal sculptures (based on Aesop's Fables)View down from the Queen Mother's Garden and Clover Hill / Bronze animal sculpture / ReservoirView down Millenium Avenue / Sculpture in the Winter GardenCoutyard Gardens; Modern Country Garden / Cottage Garden

    RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex

    30 maggio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    The garden at Hyde Hall was created by Dr. and Mrs. Robinson in 1955; Hyde Hall was formerly a working farm on a hilltop surrounded by arable land and became the property of the RHS in 1993.

    We start our visit at the original Hyde Hall farmhouse, thatched barn and farmhouse garden, and then - using the map supplied - walk behind to the Robinson Garden, an original area of garden created by the Robinsons themselves.  After walking along the Shrub Rose Border, we reach Lower Pond - also an original feature that has been expanded by the RHS.  Then it's the Global Growth Vegetable Garden; created in 2017 outside the original borders, this garden is set out in a circle and split into four quarters to showcase plants of Europe and the Middle East / Asia / North and Central America / South America; at its centre is a 14m wide octagonal glasshouse in which less hardy edibles are grown. We then cross the Hilltop Garden to reach the iconic Dry Garden, one of the most well-known parts of Hyde Hall Gardens.  We walk down the sun facing Clover Hill towards the man-made lake / reservoir and then up through the Winter Garden to the Courtyard Gardens; planted in 2012, they comprise the stylised Modern Country Garden and the relaxed classic Country Garden. 

     It has been another excellent visit to our second RHS garden.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; Cambridge CityViaggiatore
    Cambridge North station; mathematical cladding (zoom in)
    Cambridge North station; Hercules meets GalateaThe new Abbey Chesterton Bridge across the River Cam / View towards Fen DittonDitton MeadowsThe Leper ChapelNewmarket Road underpassColdham's Common; Barnwell LakeColdham's Common; Cambridge United - Abbey Stadium / Cows on the common

    Chisholm Trail, Phase 1

    23 maggio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The Chisholm Trail is a walking and cycling route which will link the business and science parks via Cambridge North railway station to Addenbrooke's Hospital, the Biomedical Campus and the proposed Cambridge South railway station; it will also connect with the Guided Busway to St Ives, Cambs and the National Cycle Network.  Phase 1 was opened in December 2021 and covers the area from Cambridge North Station to Coldham's Lane; Phase 2 will connect to phase 1 at Coldham’s Common on Coldham’s Lane.

    We start at Cambridge North railway station; the aluminium roof cladding has a mathematical design derived from the Game of Life 'cellular automaton‘ and outside it is a 2021 statue depicting the Greco-Roman deities Hercules and Galatea where the man looks "rigid and dated" and the woman appears  “strong, dynamic and empowered".....  We walk down to the river and cross the new Abbey Chesterton bridge for bicycles and pedestrians across the River Cam, installed in November 2020, before crossing Ditton Meadows towards Newmarket Road via properly surfaced paths.  We reach the 12th century Leper Chapel, part of the buildings of a leper hospital that stood a little beyond the outskirts of the city on the road to Bury St Edmunds.

    We are now able to cross Newmarket road via the new The Newmarket Road underpass, an important link in the Chisholm Trail, that reopened in 2022 with proper artwork to replace the graffiti and "street-art" that was there previously.  On the other side is Coldham's Common and a proper view of Barnwell Lake - previously, it could only be glanced through trees.  The Chisholm Trail crosses the common outside the Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United, before reaching Cromwell Road.

    Phase 2 of the Chisholm Trail will connect here, providing a route through the city via Cambridge main railway station to the south of the city on both sides of the railway track.  Watch this space.........    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsLondon - across by canal pathsViaggiatore
    Views heading north east along the canal
    Mosque in background / bargesEngineer's Wharf, NortholtHorsenden and beyondAlpertonThe North Circular Aqueduct and beyondThe future / The past / The presentBarges / Victorian houses along Harrow Road, PaddingtonTrellick Tower, North Kensington / Nice garden extensions / Nice beer!Nearing Little Venice

    Grand Union Canal 2; Paddington Arm

    10 maggio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal is 13.5-miles long, lock free, and runs from Bull's Bridge in Hayes to Paddington in central London; its only junction is with the Regent's Canal at Little Venice towards its end.  The Paddington Arm was opened in July 1801 to give boats access to central London rather than via the River Thames and encouraged the establishment of many well-known firms along its route.

    From Bull's Bridge, the canal towpath is shared with the Hillingdon Trail for the first couple of miles as it passes through Southall to Northolt; Northolt is the home for Engineer’s Wharf with its pricey moorings and adjacent Grand Union Village, which was built on the site of an old brick works.  The route passes through a long stretch of open countryside as it goes through Horsenden and Alperton - Greenford, Perivale, and Ealing are a little further south.  A large aqueduct takes the canal over the busy North Circular road (A406) before we pass through an area where Wormwood Scrubs open space is on our right and then the huge Kensal Green cemetery, resting place of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is on our left. 

    We pass the outskirts of North Kensington and Maida Vale; Trellick Tower, a Grade II listed tower block on the Cheltenham Estate in North Kensington with a separate access tower and abutting plant house, is an example of the so-called "Brutalist architecture" of the 1960s.  We are getting close to Paddington now and finally reach Little Venice - it has been a long day, an almost 21-mile walk (along the flat).    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsLondon - across by canal pathsViaggiatore
    Slough Arm; Wexham Road Bridge / General view
    Slough Arm; barges on the canalSlough Arm; Swans / Bridge artSlough Arm; views down from aqueducts to Colne Brook / River ColneSlough Arm; Packet Boat Marina / Junction with Grand Union CanalGrand Union Canal; views along the outskirts of West DraytonGrand Union Canal; views along the outskirts of HayesGrand Union Canal; Bull's Bridge, the junction with the Paddington ArmBull's Bridge JunctionBull's Bridge; view down the Paddington Arm

    Grand Union Canal 1; Slough Arm

    10 maggio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    The Grand Union Canal is the principal navigable waterway between London (River Thames) and the Midlands (Birmingham and Leicester); it has six main branches, usually termed 'arms', and heading north from the Thames these are (in order) -

    Paddington Arm / Slough Arm / Wendover Arm / Aylesbury Arm / Northampton Arm / Saltisford Canal Arm, Warwick.

    Since this trip runs across London from west to east, we start in Slough at the Slough Arm.

    The Slough Arm is a short 5 mile canal branch from Slough to the Grand Union Main Line, and was originally opened to serve the brick-making industry (the last commercial traffic was carried in 1960, but it was re-opened in 1975 and has remained in use since).  Anthony and I start at the Wexham Road Bridge (number 12); there are some business units and rural developments near the canal along the outskirts of Slough, but it is still pleasant walking, especially as we reach and pass through the Colne Valley Regional Park.  After passing under the M25 London Orbital Motorway to enter what is now known as Greater London (formerly Middlesex), we cross three rivers via aqueducts- Colne Brook, River Colne and Frays River, seeing pill boxes that used to guard them.  We reach the Packet Boat Marina (a packet boat used to carry passengers from here to Paddington) and then the junction with the Grand Union Canal at Cowley Peachey, crossing over it by a roving bridge to the tow path on the east side of the canal.

    We walk along the Grand Union Canal, passing through the West London areas of West Drayton and Hayes; it is more built up here, but still good walking.  After about 1.5 miles, we reach the outskirts of Hayes and the junction with the Paddington Arm at Bull's Bridge.  From here, we turn east towards  Paddington and Central London.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; South DistrictViaggiatore
    Wimpole Hall; Front view / Rear view
    Inside Wimpole Hall; The Yellow Drawing Room / Dining RoomWimple Hall Garden; Parterre viewed from inside / Outside the HallWimpole Estate Parkland; Chinese Bridge / View of Wimpole's FollyWimpole's Folly, a false Gothic TowerSt Andrew's ChurchInside St Andrew's ChurchWimploe Hall Stable blockWalled Garden / Home FarmHome Farm; Sheep / Shire Horse

    Wimpole Estate

    25 aprile 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    We have recently joined the National Trust and our first use of our passes is to a locally owned NT property; the Wimpole Estate, comprising a listed 17th century Georgian mansion (Wimpole Hall) with its associated gardens, parkland and working farm (Home Farm). 

    We visit Wimpole Hall first and are able to see part of the interior (see picture captions).  We then look round the gardens; these include a formal grand avenue which heads south (and is visible from the top of Royston Heath, several miles away), whereas the parkland on the north side and behind the house were "naturalised" (by Capability Brown).  Here, we walk north towards Wimpole's Folly (a false Gothic Tower, 1768) and loop back via part of the multi-user trail to see other estate buildings - St Andrew's Church and the stable block.  We then look around the Walled Garden and Home Farm (home to rare breeds, including Shire horses, pigs, sheep, cows, and goats).

    The Wimpole Estate is a lovely place to visit, walk, and explore during different times of the year - we'll be back.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsHertfordshireViaggiatore
    War Memorial
    Town Hall, now the Arts and Heritage CentreHigh Street; Georgian buildingsFormer brewery buildings / Wynne's AlmshousesArt Deco facade of the Tesco buildingRaban HouseFormer MalthouseMethodist ChurchChurch of St Mary the VirginInside the church

    Baldock

    24 aprile 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Baldock is a historic market town in Hertfordshire less than 10 miles southwest of Royston; it has an association with the Knioghts Templar, is mostly Georgian, and also has an exceptionally rich archaeological heritage.  Malting and brewing were formerly major industries in the town, but today, it is mostly a commuter town.

    The majority of the interesting buildings are near to, or along, the High Street; we start at the War Memorial and see some of them (see captions on pictures).  After a slight diversion to walk along a street where there were originally roman buildings (The Twitchell) and an area where there was an Iron Age burial site (The Tene), we double back to see the Tesco supermarket (originally a film processing laboratory) before walking along what was the southern edge of the Medieval New Town (South Road). 

    We turn into Clothall Road and soon cross over to a footpath over a field towards Clothall Common; this field is where the Iron Age and Roman towns and several burial sites have been found.  We then head back into town along Royston Road; Raban House is at the junction with Whitehorse Street.  Then it's along Sun Street to St Mary's Church and back to the War Memorial to complete this short tour of Georgian and Ancient Baldock    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Fort; Colombo Fort Clock Tower
    Cargills department storeThe Grand Orient Hotel is located opposite the port of ColomboOld Dutch Hospital, now a shopping and eating complex; Side view / View down from hotelColombo Fort railway station, with Olcott statue in front / The Old Parliament BuildingThe Lotus Tower, a landmark of ColomboGalle Face Green; View back to International Financial City Development / View down the coastViews down Galle Face Green towards the Galle Face HotelThe Explore Group, with Hector (our driver) and Nala (our tour leader) in the middle

    Colombo 2; Fort and Galle Face Green

    8 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Our hotel is in Fort, now the central business district of Colombo.  There was a fort here, but the walls were demolished between 1869 and 1871 as the fort was obsolete and room was needed for new military barracks and urban development.

    There is still a strong colonial feel to the area, and we start our walk at the Colombo Clock Tower (1857), also known as the Old Colombo Lighthouse; it is no longer the tallest building in Colombo.  We see the Cargills Department Store, the Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH), the Dutch Hospital (actually in front of our hotel) and Fort railway station, still a major rail hub in Colombo.  Then it is past the old Parliament building (where the Presidential Secretariat is located).  There is a good view of the iconic Lotus Tower and Beira Lake from near here.

    We then walk down the Galle Face Green, on the south side of Fort; it used to be much larger and it was used for horse racing, golf, rugby and cricket (not all at the same time!) - it is now a popular destination for locals.  At the southern tip of the green is the Galle Face Hotel; founded in 1864, it is one of the oldest hotels east of Suez.

    It has been a fantastic trip to Sri Lanka.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Independence Memorial Hall
    Town Hall, in front of Vihara Mahadevi Park / A seated golden Buddha in the parkGangaramaya Temple Complex; Entry / Colourful Buddha in the principal shrineBodhi tree in the temple courtyardWhite dagoba in the courtyard / Buddha statuesElephant statue / Thai Buddhas on concrete tiers at the rear of the templePettah; Khan Clock Tower / Jami-ul-Afar Mosque (the "Red Mosque")Old Town Hall, on Main Street / Market area along 5th Cross StreetMore Pettah market scenes

    Colombo 1; Central and Pettah

    8 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    Colombo is the commercial centre of Sri Lanka, owing to its natural harbour.  It reached prominence when the Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka in 1517, building a large fort here (it no longer exists now).  The Dutch took control of the island in 1656 and ruled for 150 years before the British captured it in 1796; Colombo became the capital of Ceylon in 1815.  The Civil War from 1983 - 2009 between the Tamil Tigers (who migrated here during British role) and the native Sinhalese caused a lot of destruction in the city, and it is being rebuilt in parts.

    After a 2 hour journey from Koggala, our coach takes us through the Central area where we visit the Independance Memorial Hall and drive past the Vihara Mahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) to reach the Gangaramaya Temple; this is one of the most important temples in Colombo, and is  an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture and includes a museum, a library, a residential hall and a three storeyed Pirivena. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century and is now a place of Buddhist worship and a learning centre.

    We reach Pettah and enjoy walking around what is the chaotic market / bazaar neighbourhood of Colombo (see captions on photos).    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Beach walk; heading east from the Koggala Beach Hotel
    Beach walk; Trees (not mangroves) / Fishing stiltsBeach walk; further east / Koggala Lagoon connects to the Indian Ocean via a 300m canalKoggala Lake Safari; Kathaluwa Bridge / BirdsMangroves grow around the edges of the islandsLake wildlife; Kingfisher/ Sea Eagle/ Egrets / JellyfishWeduwa MonasteryWeduwa Monastery; small Stupa and Buddha statuesCinnamon Island / Views / SunsetBack to the beach area; stilt fishermen

    Koggala and local area

    7 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After the whale watching and a swim in the sea, it is time to have a beach walk; there are beautiful views on the way to the Koggala Lagoon.

    Back to the hotel for a break and the next excursion, which, by coincidence, turns out to be where from where my walk ended!

    Our Koggala Lake Safari takes us round part of the lagoon, where there are 8 islands surrounded by lush mangroves, a haven for wildlife. We visit a monastery as well as Cinnamon Island, where we see how cinnamon is obtained from the trees.

    Back on the beach area near Weligama, we see stilt fishermen; the stilts are carved with notches to help them climb to the crossbar, where they balance as they fish.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Mirissa harbour
    Boats out on the Indian OceanBryde Whale blowing a spout1Bryde WhaleSpinner DolphinsViews of Mirissa LighthouseMirissa LighthouseView from our hotel room

    Mirissa; whale watching

    7 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    We are up early to go on the optional whale watching tour from Mirissa (the whale watching capital of Sri Lanka). The unspoilt town also features a very pretty harbour and beach.

    We spend about 4 hours on the sea and spot Bryde whales and Spinner dolphins on several different occasions. A wonderful experience.

    Then it's back to the hotel in Koggala for some RnR.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Entrance to Galle / Along the Old Fort ramparts
    Views from the Star BastionViews to and from the Neptune Bastion / Sri Sudharmalaya Temple with All Saints Church behind itTriton Bastion / View towards Flag RockView towards Point Utrecht Bastion / Meeran Jumma Mosque / The Bastion LighthouseDutch Hospital, now a shopping precinctFormer Dutch Warehouse; The Old Gate / Anchor / Dutch Bell TowerZwart Bastion / Amangalla Hote; originally built for the Dutch governor in 1684Dutch Reformed Church / All Saints ChurchFish Market area just outside the town walls

    Galle

    6 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We leave the Lowland region and head to the South Coast region of Sri Lanka, an area that is firmly on the tourist trail for visitors to the island

    We visit Galle, the most important town of the South Coast. It is a perfectly preserved colonial town featuring an old Dutch quarter within a fort (Galle Fort) and a sprawling New Town outside it. We walk around the fort ramparts swing the various bastions (about 2 miles) with forays into the old town to see the buildings just below the ramparts (see captions on pictures).

    A beautiful place.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Feeding time at the Elephant Orphanage
    Feeding time at the Elephant OrphanageJeep safari around the National ParkInteresting shaped trees / First of many wild elephant sightings hereViewsLeopard print / Bee Eater / Wild BuffaloMore elephant sightingsAthgira River CampJungle lodges / Our home for the night

    Uda Walawe National Park and River Camp

    5 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    Uda Walawe National Park was established in 1972 and is now one of Sri Lanka's most popular parks, with a spread of 300 sq km, providing a catchment area around an enormous reservoir.

    We start our visit at the Elephant Transit Home, better known as the Elephant Orphanage; orphaned elephants are raised here until they are 4-5 years old and released into the wild. Feeding time is every 3 hours and can be watched from a viewing platform.

    We enjoy a Jeep safari around part of the park before going to Athgira River Camp to stay in a jungle lodge next to the Rajwana River.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Street market outside the hotel
    Ella Gap (cleft in the rock) / View of valley (not from the Gap)Ravana Ella FallsLowland views en routeBuduruvagalaCentral Colossus / Left hand group / Meditating Buddha on crown / Right hand groupLowland view / Typical vegetablesElephant by the electric fence keeping him inside the National ParkViews of the area's reservoir en route to park entrance

    Ella to Uda Walawe

    5 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Ella is one of Hill Country's most popular destinations and is perched above the Ella Gap, a cleft in the escarpment where the land drops 1,100m to the plains below (it is possible to walk up to the Gap for the view).

    We stop at Ella Ravana Falls (90m high) and then reach Buduruvagala; this boasts 7 colossal Buddha statues dating from the 10th century.

    We descend to the lowlands below and note the very different landscape and vegetable produce before arriving on the outskirts of Uda Walawe National Park.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    At Nanu Oya Station
    Pattipola - the highest station in Sri Lanka / First classViewsEverybody was doing this!ViewsViewsViewsViewsThe Nine Arch BridgeDinner at the famous Cafe Chill Restaurant in Ella

    Nanu Oya to Demodora by train

    4 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    There is no train station at Ella, so we go to the nearby town of Nanu Oya to meet the train (which comes down from Kandy).

    It is a very pretty route passing through lovely scenery. We pass through our final destination, Ella, so that we can go over the Demodora Bridge (Nine Arch Bridge); this was built in the 1920s to take the railway line north of Ella.

    We are met at Demodora Station and taken back to Ella and our hotel. Dinner is at the Cafe Chill Restaurant; Ella is popular with young travellers, and there are many dining places.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The Post Office
    Central MarketIn the marketIn the marketVictoria Park; Museum / View on walkWalking in the townThe Grand HotelInside the Grand HotelPictures showing the development of the Grand Hotel; 1826 / 1892 / 2004

    Nuwara Eliya

    4 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    The surrounding scenery and climate impressed the early British settlers after the heat and dust of Colombo, and Sir Edward Barnes, a former governor here, established his up-country retreat here as a bungalow in 1828 at what is now the Grand Hotel.

    It is a popular town, and we start our walk at the pink colonial era Post Office before heading through the covered Central Market. Then it is back to the town centre via the pretty Victoria Park. We walk by the new Bazaar to the Clock Tower and then past the Golf Club up to the Grand Hotel; we go in and are given a short tour downstairs. From the bungalow mentioned earlier, this is now a beautiful five-star hotel (costing 55,000 Rupees per night).

    The next stop is the train station....    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Tea pickers in action
    Tea pickers/ Weighing stationTea Castle St Clair / Statue of James Taylor / Outside / St Clair WaterfallThe Blackpool HotelView from hotel / Hotel garden viewsViews near the Hotel (Pedro Tea Estate)Near the HotelHotel dining; Dinner (vegetable curry) / Breakfast (egg hopper)

    En route to Nuwara Eliya

    3 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    There are great views of tea plantations and tea pickers (always women) as we head to Nuwara Eliya. We stop for lunch at Tea Castle St. Clair on the way to our hotel; lunch is good, and there is a pretty waterfall nearby.

    Nuwara Eliya is referred to as "Little England" due to its cool and unpredictable climate. The Blackpool Hotel is located in the hills around Nuwara Eliya at 1,876m on the Pedro Tea Estate and is new but built in colonial style. It is a beautiful area and a lovely hotel.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Main entrance to Adam's Peak ascent route / Shrine
    There are many stalls in places / Statues of pilgrims prayingLights showing the way up / A pilgrim / A shrineAt the summitSunriseThe sun rising in stagesDescentShrines and Adam's PeakPagoda / Main entrance / Carvings on main entrance canopyViews from the hotel

    Adam's Peak; Ascent, Sunrise, Descent

    3 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) is 2,243m high and makes for dramatic scenery. There is said to be a footprint of the Buddha at the top, left during one of his three visits to Sri Lanka. Pilgrims and tourists make the arduous climb by night during the pilgrimage season (Dec to May) to see it and the sun rising at dawn.

    We are up in time for a 1:30 am departure and make the 7km ascent via 5,500 steps. It takes us at least 4 hours and is hard work. It's worth it to see the sun rise; the footprint is covered, and several metres below the place you "see" it, and no photographs in the shrine area are allowed. It was a fantastic and tiring experience with excellent views on the way down.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Tea plants / Tea flowers / Tea factory
    Stages in the process of making teaWithering the tea leaves to lose some moisture contentRolling and roll breaking / DryingGradingClasses of teaViews of tea plantationsFirst view of Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    En route to Dalhousie

    2 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    From Kandy, we leave the Cultural Triangle and head to the Hill Country; this is a higher and cooler area where tea plantations stretch over rolling hills, and there are many tea factories. It was the British who spotted the potential here and helped transform Sri Lanka into the fourth largest tea producer in the world.

    Leaving Kandy, we visit a batik factory first and then drive to the Hill Country to visit a tea factory. It was interesting to see and hear about the stages in tea production (see image captions).

    We then drive through the beautiful countryside to Dalhousie (known also by its Tamil name of Nallatanniya), a popular starting place to climb Adam's Peak. It's an early start tomorrow, so it's an early meal and an early night.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Poona Dance (traditional) / Pantheru Dance (with acrobatics)
    Peacock Dance (depicting the movements of the bird) / Salupiya Dance (demons that cause ailments)Raban Dance (with flat drums on sticks) / Kulu Dance (village damsels)Ves Dance (featuring rhythmic drumming patterns)Group Dance (drummers and dancers in harmony) / Fire Walking (outside)

    Kandy 3; Kandyan Dancing Cultural Show

    1 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We actually visited this the evening before, but it is convenient to describe it at the end of the Kandy posts.

    After a traditional welcome by the blowing of a conch shell and ceremonial drumming, the show starts and runs through several traditional dances (see captions on images); it finished with a display of fire walking outside the hall.

    It's great to see traditional Sri Lankan folk dancing, especially as I am a traditional English folk dancer myself (a Morris dancer).    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The Temple of the Tooth and Royal Bath House
    The Great Gate entrance to the Temple with the Octagonal Tower next to itMain Tooth Relic Shrine area / Drummers play during the thrice-daily pujasThe Shrine of the Tooth is upstairs; inset shows the bejewelled gold casket in which it is keptPeople make offerings during thrice-daily pujas (when doors open to view the container)The New Shrine Room; paintings on the walls depict the story of the Tooth relicAudience Hall / King's PalaceRoyal Botanic Gardens; Cabbage Palm Avenue / Flower GardenFig tree with impressive roots / Giant BambooSuspension Bridge/ View / Lake

    Kandy 2; Tooth Temple and Botanic Garden

    1 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    The Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) is the most important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka as it is home to one of Buddhism's most sacred objects - the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that it was retrieved after the Buddha's cremation; it has been moved around Sri Lanka, but it has been kept in Kandy since 1592.

    It is to be found in a room above the main shrine, and the golden container that holds it can be seen three times per day as the doors are opened during the ceremonial puja. After seeing the main shrine and attending a puja, we visit The New Shrine Room, Museum, Audience Hall, Raha Tusker Museum (a stuffed elephant) and the Kings Palace, before leaving the complex.

    We visit a jewellery factory on our way to the Royal Botanic Gardens; they are the largest and finest in the country and very beautiful.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Kandy Clock Tower/ Market Entrance
    Kandy MarketKandy MarketKandy MarketQueen's Hotel / St Paul's Church (neo- Gothic)Pattini Devale; Bo Tree / StupaThe shrine at Pattini DevaleThe Royal Bath House / The City of Kandy sprawls up the hills from Kandy LakeKandy Lake; Royal Summer House / ViewsKandy Lake; View / The Temple of the Tooth

    Kandy 1; Market, Town and Lake

    1 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Kandy has a long history of political independence and was the seat of the last Sinhalese government until it succumbed to the British in 1815. Kandy is a cultural centre, and the arts and crafts capital of the island; it is also home to its most revered Buddhist temple, its most sacred relic, and has a tradition of dancing and drumming.

    We start at the Clock Tower and visit the markets opposite it (on both sides of the road) before walking back to the lake. We pass the magnificent Queen's Hotel and visit St Paul's Church; this is close to three of Kandy's four devales - each of the four Guardian Gods for Kandy has a devale (temple) devoted to it and we visit the Pattini Devale (Goddess of Chastity).

    We then walk around the lake, enjoying great views; the lake was created in the 19th century, and this very popular stroll is about 3km in length.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    A stylised image of Sigiriya in its heyday
    View of the Lion Rock from the Water GardensBoulder Arch with remains of frescoes1The Lion PlatformThe Summit; View / Remains of the PalaceThe Summit; View down to the landscaped Royal Gardens / Remains of the PalaceOn the way down / Audience Hall Rock / Cave with frescoesView up to the Victorian era spiral staircases / The sheltered recess houses The Sigiriya DamselsCobra Hood RockDown again / Cheeky Monkeys

    Sigiriya (Lion Rock)

    31 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancient Citadel of Sigiriya sat atop a giant gneiss Rock 200m above the plains below.

    Monks lived at the base in the third century BC, but King Kassapa put it on the map in the fifth century AD when he chose the summit for his new Royal Palace, complete with gardens and pools. The Rock was transformed into a recumbent Lion, of which only the paws remain today; unfortunately, his reign lasted just 18 years. The ruins were discovered by British archaeologists in the 20th century.

    The Lion Rock is accessed via the Water Gardens and Boulder Gardens, and the way up is via the Lion Platform. At the summit, there are the remains of the Palace and magnificent views of the countryside.

    On the way down, we pass the highly polished Mirror Wall covered with ancient graffiti and the celebrated Sigiriya Damsels; this is a mural of beautiful, bare chested women (no photographs allowed). Further down, we pass the Audience Hall Rock and the Cobra Hood Cave before getting back to the Lion Platform.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The first part of the tour is by small tractor engine.
    The second part is accoss a small lake by boatA great view of the Sigiriya Lion RockMaking a hat from a water lillyWe visit a local house for a demonstration of food prepared from raw materialsMaking a rotiBack to the road

    Sirigiya Village Safari

    30 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    After lunch, we arrived in Sigiriya and went on a tour of the village and local area by various means of transport; these were by a small tractor engine, boat and tuk-tuk.

    There were some great views, and we enjoyed a visit to a house for a demonstration food preparation using local products (coconut, rice, vegetables, etc).Leggi altro

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