Up
at 6 AM, I packed our luggage (Kandy, Sri Lanka), ensuring nothing was left behind, especially my phone.
After breakfast at the hotel, we hit the
road by 9 AM. Our driver made an unexpected stop at a two-story retail outlet,
giving us an hour for some retail therapy. While I wasn't keen on shopping,
others in our group bought sarees, t-shirts, and silver pots. Watching a group
of Chinese tourists excitedly trying on sarees was entertaining.
Next, we headed to the Peradeniya Royal
Botanic Gardens. Spanning 147 acres, this vast garden is home to a diverse
array of flowers, trees, and plants. Originally a pleasure garden for a Sinhala
King and later expanded by the British, it offers a peaceful nature retreat.
Despite the scorching heat making the walk less pleasant, I enjoyed my time
there. However, the visit felt a bit long, as the garden started to seem
repetitive after the first hour. Navigating back to the entrance was also a bit
confusing. Skipping this stop or limiting the visit to an hour wouldn't be a
big loss.
We skipped the Mackwoods Labookellie Tea
Centre as no one was interested, though we stood outside for about 10 minutes
watching tea leaves being plucked and taking a comfort break.
After lunch, we
embarked on the long drive to Nuwara Eliya, finally arriving at Galway Forest
Lodge. With no elevator to my room, thankfully, the staff assisted and it came
with tipping him. An unspoken sort of thing for these guys to earn some side
income and trust me, they are ever willing to help you.
Upon arrival, we were served tea and local
delicacies, an unexpected and appreciated gesture, before heading out to
explore Nuwara Eliya. Often referred to as "Little England," this
hill station is renowned for its lush tea plantations, colonial-era
architecture, and cool climate. Its charming English-style cottages and
manicured gardens provide a nostalgic glimpse into its colonial past, making it
a captivating destination.
Our first stop was Gregory Lake, a popular spot for boating, picnicking, and leisurely strolls. Surrounded by beautiful hills and gardens, the lake offered a tranquil escape with stunning views. We walked around the lake, opting out of a boat ride, and that was the end of our sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya.
None of us were keen to visit another spot, so we
returned to the hotel for dinner. The cool, chilly weather necessitated a
portable heater in my colonial-style room, which was clean, spacious, and faced
a vegetable plantation.
With that, our visit to Nuwara Eliya
ended, and we prepared for our next destination the following morning.
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