Ellerton a Tea Plantation revived

Hello Sri Lanka

It was with regret that I left Indonesia

 on a very early morning flight to Sri Lanka.

I arrived early in the afternoon for my journey to Ellerton

Just outside Kandy.

The roads were full of very different vehicles

Leyland and Tata buses, three wheel Tuk Tuks' and the odd cow.

Drivers in general were a little more patient

 and we made steady if slow progress into the countryside.

Unexpectedly we came upon road works 

at a tea junction with another road. No lights or signs

just men waiving hopefully at the traffic.

We came to a sudden stop when all the drivers ignored

the frantic attempts of the workers to prioritise the traffic.

Cars and trucks from all three directions kept coming.

We were completely jammed.

No driver was prepared to reverse.

Drivers joined the workers and everyone argued and waved.

Horns were blown. The workers walked off.

Thirty minutes later we were still there!

Welcome to Sri Lanka.

It was over four and a half hours before we reached the sanity

of Ellerton.

Bags were whisked away a meal arranged

A gin and tonic provided to calm the nerves.

Ellerton a former tea plantation has been lovely restored as a home and small hotel set in the hills outside Kandy.

It is a dream, quiet with old world charm and a team of wonderful

people looking after tired travelers.

The weather although a little wet and cloudy 
gave great views

It was lovely to spend the next day quietly exploring the countryside and to visit a tea factory to learn how tea is processed.

The following day it was time to explore Kandy

                   

The temple of the tooth 

Commonwealth war graves

Kandy lake on a very wet morning


My morning in Kandy was very diverse and provided me an introduction into the Buddhist tradition of Sri Lanka
The temple of the tooth is a most important religious site and contains the sacred relic of Buddhas tooth.
I arrived early to see the holy relic in its casket being carried to the upper temple for the faithful to give thanks.

I then visited two cemeteries.

The first was nearby called the Garrison Cemetery.
It held the remains of early colonists that had succumbed to malaria, typhoid and cholera.
Many of the graves were for young children .

The second cemetery was a most beautiful Commonwealth site.
It was remarkable for its diversity and paid tribute to British, Indian and Sri Lanken soldiers. The remains of two Italian prisoners that died in the conflict were also included.

It was serene

I gave thanks to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom.