There are times during this visit to the Indian subcontinent when I cannot believe I am really here.
This feeling was never more real than today when we left Kandy for Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. I felt like pinching myself.
Our driver and tour guide, Surath, did not give us much detail about what to expect, other than there will be tea plantations, it will be on the mountains and it will be cool.
What unfolded over the next few hours was a truly remarkable experience. Surath's little Nissan started winding its way through the mountains of Sri Lanka. I have travelled through mountains before -- the Rockies, the Alps, even the northern range of Trinidad.
But this was something to behold. If there ever was a moment to appreciate and be truly grateful for God's creation, this was it.
As we ascended the mountains, the view seemed to be more breathtaking -- the trees, some slender and tall some spreading, some evergreen, and all in full rich green foliage. The scene down in the valleys became even more dramatic as we climbed higher.
And throughout these scenes were houses, some new, some old, dotting the hillsides. And the houses were all framed by thriving gardens of healthy vegetables and colorful flowers.
We entered a village and encountered a parade of Buddhist worshippers making their way to the local stupa to pay their respects to their spiritual leader. What made it even more interesting was the drumming, chanting and dancing. We couldn't believe our luck in finding this parade.
As if to make a perfect picture more captivating, there were raging, foamy waterfalls -- some in the distance and others by the roadside.
And then, as if in a dramatic change of scenes in a movie, the hillsides covered in tea plantations unfolded. With each new plantation, I was awestruck. To look at mountain after mountain with these neat rows of tea plants was most extraordinary.
It seemed to reach a crescendo when we reached the tea museum and factory. The tour by the local guide, Taruka (star) was most informative and fascinating. Being here on a Sunday seemed to be a mixed blessing. We had a quiet exclusive tour by a very pleasant guide and a chance to absorb the process and ask questions.
But we could not see the whole tea factory at work with the sounds, smells and activity that would normally fill the place.
Of course, the view from this location alone was a good reason to stop. Then add the free cup of tea and browsing through the shop.
After the visit to the plantation, we pushed on to the mountain resort of Nuwara Elyia (City of Lights), a stunning town that felt like the cherry on top. The downtown was fairly typical of Sr Lanka towns, but the drive outside unveiled scenes unlike any other community. This is a mountain gem developed to remind the early British settlers of England, hence the nickname "Little England," complete with an 18-hole golf course, race track, play ground, horseback riders, lakeside park with swan-shaped paddle boats and other amusements and houses designed British style.
I have clearly not seen all of Sri Lanka, but I could not help and ask him if this was one of the most beautiful cities in the island. He suggested that Kandy also is beautiful. So I cast my vote for Nuwara Elyia.
We will leave this picture postcard of a town with beautiful images impressed in our memories. Next we shift our attention to an elephant safari.
You are welcome to join us through this blog.
Ayubowan.
No comments:
Post a Comment