Often awake early, I can’t resist a peek through the curtains to look at the sunrise, and here’s another!
After a leisurely start and breakfast, we took a tuk-tuk to Ella, about 1000m lower and several degrees warmer! On the way we passed people picking tea and our driver showed us the difference between black tea on the left at 400 rupees/ kg and silver top white leaf tea on the right at 48,000 rupees/kg!
We checked in to Chamodya Homestay, up a narrow road above the town and with a fabulous view of Little Adam’s Peak, Ella Rock and the Rawana Ella Falls, and were welcomed by Lilu with tea and biscuits.
Later, we took a walk to see the waterfall, although were directed slightly astray and instead of taking the easy option and walking along the railway line, we continued down our road until it reduced to a path that seemed to be entering somebody’s garden. We asked, and a chap said he’d show us the way … all between the crops growing in the valley and a little treacherous in places … not at all what we planned.
Anyway we went with it, got a view of the waterfall and safely back to the road and gave him some rupees for his trouble. A scam … maybe … but another adventure nonetheless!
Most of our time here has either been spent walking, sitting or eating! So next day we walked up Little Adam’s Peak, up through a tea plantation on a good path with steps, although it did get a little rougher towards the top. At 1100m it was only half the height of Adam’s Peak, a major pilgrimage destination, traditionally climbed at night to reach the top by dawn … we decided to give this one a miss! Anyway, the views here were lovely, and with a breeze blowing, we just sat on a rock in the shade and enjoyed them.
We took a wander round the town on the way back, busy with locals and tourists alike …
… then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on our verandah chilling, reading and enjoying the view. We even saw a Sri Lanka grey hornbill …
… a brown headed barbet …
… and a monkey!
On our last day we walked to the other main Ella attraction … Demodara Bridge, carefully timed to catch the must-have shot complete with the train, and bearing in mind there are only a few each day, this requires careful planning! We walked down through some woodland, coming out above the bridge.
It was certainly popular and a little wet and everyone was checking the best angle … inside curve, outside curve, how many arches, with or without tunnel …
Finally the spot was chosen and here is the train!
We were surprised when a short while later another came the other way …!
Following the train tracks, we walked back to the guesthouse …
… and not a moment too soon as the heavens opened.
The rain didn’t stay long, and there was another lovely sunrise.
We’ve had all our meals here at the guesthouse, and enjoyed Lilu’s lovely home cooked curries in the evening and splendid breakfasts which have kept us going all day!
But now it’s time to move on, and we have a car picking us up in the morning to drive south …
Off Travelling Together 