Sooooo....the infamous Kandy - Ella train ride
It's voted the most beautiful train journey in the world and included as an actual attraction in the lonely planet guide.
......They were right the route is stunning, with picture perfect views. But sadly it was rather difficult for us to enjoy due to having no seats for the entire 7 hrs we were on the train!
It's voted the most beautiful train journey in the world and included as an actual attraction in the lonely planet guide.
......They were right the route is stunning, with picture perfect views. But sadly it was rather difficult for us to enjoy due to having no seats for the entire 7 hrs we were on the train!
Our first impressions of Ella
Once we arrived off the platform we were bombarded by locals trying to sell us rooms. Most of them very much out of budget!
One lady however asked us what we were willing to pay - we said max 2000lkr to which she too easily said yes...leading me to think I should have said 1500!
The homestay was 'holiday homes ella' and was close to the centre, had hot water and WiFi - so not too bad, the lady seemed lovely and helped us with bus times etc for our onward travel.
Once we arrived off the platform we were bombarded by locals trying to sell us rooms. Most of them very much out of budget!
One lady however asked us what we were willing to pay - we said max 2000lkr to which she too easily said yes...leading me to think I should have said 1500!
The homestay was 'holiday homes ella' and was close to the centre, had hot water and WiFi - so not too bad, the lady seemed lovely and helped us with bus times etc for our onward travel.
The village was interesting, clearly our 1998 Sri Lanka guide that called Ella a 'quiet undiscovered village full of charming locals' was very much out of date! It clearly was a place that had been built up on the fact that travel guides rated it as somewhere to go. Now it as full of restaurants and bars that had a westener's price tag with often not a local in sight (other than the staff working there!) For once on our trip it seemed we were not in the minority...and that felt almost sad.
Dinner
Tired from our trips and hungry we decided to eat near to the homestay - but ended up being in the place voted no.1 on trip advisor! AK Bistro was a lovely clean place with a fusion of Japanese, Sri labkan and Italian foods. Gary ate pasta while I had devilled chicken (a popular sauce used over here) with boiled veg- which I was very much craving instead of rice! The food was great, it was an expensive treat in our eyes (although the whole meal still probably only coated £14 for both of us!)
Tired from our trips and hungry we decided to eat near to the homestay - but ended up being in the place voted no.1 on trip advisor! AK Bistro was a lovely clean place with a fusion of Japanese, Sri labkan and Italian foods. Gary ate pasta while I had devilled chicken (a popular sauce used over here) with boiled veg- which I was very much craving instead of rice! The food was great, it was an expensive treat in our eyes (although the whole meal still probably only coated £14 for both of us!)
Day 2 Ella
This morning we woke up and walked up little Adams peak - an easy walk to the top as there are stairs, but breathtaking views from the top. We meandered through tea fields on our way up and were even harassed by an old lady en route, who seemed to be picking tea. to take photos with her and then give her money!
This morning we woke up and walked up little Adams peak - an easy walk to the top as there are stairs, but breathtaking views from the top. We meandered through tea fields on our way up and were even harassed by an old lady en route, who seemed to be picking tea. to take photos with her and then give her money!
After Adams peak we took a tuk tuk to a local tea factory (haptule) unfortunately it had stopped work for the day so we couldn't do the tour (due to it being dry season they finish work early) so instead we went to the rooftop cafe and had an amazing cup of tea with amazing views!
We then planned to go the the waterfall, but the heavens opened so we surcumed to 'chill bar' and I tried a lassie while Gary had a beer.
We then planned to go the the waterfall, but the heavens opened so we surcumed to 'chill bar' and I tried a lassie while Gary had a beer.
Dinner
That night we are somewhere that cooked local Sri Lankan food -(jade green) we had to pre order in the afternoon but it was delicious and there was plenty of it! It was cheaper than the previous evening, but still not Sri Lankan prices...especially as everywhere in Ella adds a 10% service charge.
That night we are somewhere that cooked local Sri Lankan food -(jade green) we had to pre order in the afternoon but it was delicious and there was plenty of it! It was cheaper than the previous evening, but still not Sri Lankan prices...especially as everywhere in Ella adds a 10% service charge.
The Train
Walking up Little Adams Peak
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