This sharing on the hill country will be divided into 2 posts. The first post describes our journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and the second one focuses on our experience in Ella. This arrangement was not exactly perfect as we only had a total of 2.5 days for both places! If time allows, I strongly suggest spending at least 2 days in each town to fully explore their beauty at a slower pace.
Accommodation
Sky Breeze Nuwara Eliya
While I like this place very much, I think it is too inaccessible. It is a long (and dangerous at night) drive from the main town as the homestay is located at one of the highest points in Nuwara Eliya. However, we had the best view throughout the trip on our way back to the town in the morning (scroll down to view the photo). Expect the weather to be cooling and a thick jacket is very much needed at night.
Cost per night = SGD247.93/RM754 for the whole unit for 6 persons (can stay up to 8 guests)
(+) Beautiful view, spacious and cosy, friendly staffs
(-) Unstable electricity supply, difficult route leading to the resort,
Food
Salmiya Italian Restaurant
Address: 122 PBC Hwy, Nuwara Eliya 22200, Sri Lanka.
Opening hours: 11.45am to 9.30pm daily
A small, family-run restaurant that serves great pizzas. However, as the restaurant can fit only 5 tables, the waiting time can be relatively long during peak dinner hours. Forgot to mention that the day we visited Nuwara Eliya was Christmas Day and it's not hard to guess that this Italian restaurant was more packed than usual days. We waited for about 15 mins to be seated but luckily, the food didn't disappoint. The freshly oven-baked pizzas had a crispy crust and well-seasoned toppings.
Attractions
Ramboda Waterfall
The drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is long and people who tend to get motion sickness may suffer a little. The only stop we made was lunch at Ramboda waterfall. The restaurant where we had lunch actually belongs to Ramboda Falls Hotel. You can choose to have an international buffet or order ala carte. Either way, the prices are still higher than the average meal in Sri Lanka, but you have to factor in the beautiful scenery. You may even travel down to the viewpoint of the waterfall and take some nice photos. It's a merely 10-minute walk.
Blue Field Tea Factory
There are multiple tea plantations or factories where you can pay a visit along the way to Nuwara Eliya town area. Due to time constraint, we only selected two with strong reasons behind that I will explain later. Our first stop was the Blue Field Tea Factory. We were attracted by the free-of-charge factory tour. Short but informative tour guided by the dedicated factory worker.
However, I would not recommend buying tea in bulks here (disclaimer: we do appreciate the factory tour and recommend buying some to show our sincere support) as there are better options of high-quality tea out there. Taste-wise, it is not as good as Damro Tea that I will be introducing shortly. Nonetheless, if you are looking for cheaper gift options, the tea here is priced considerably lower than other more established brands including Damro.
Damro Tea
Nuwara Eliya Post Office
Love the colonial-style buildings in Nuwara Eliya. This post office is the most iconic building to visit in Nuwara Eliya. Too bad that we came on a public holiday (Christmas Day) and the post office is closed. I would love to send a postcard home!
Tea plantations
There are so many tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya and it will be up to your driver which one you will be dropped at.
Accommodation
Sky Breeze Nuwara Eliya
While I like this place very much, I think it is too inaccessible. It is a long (and dangerous at night) drive from the main town as the homestay is located at one of the highest points in Nuwara Eliya. However, we had the best view throughout the trip on our way back to the town in the morning (scroll down to view the photo). Expect the weather to be cooling and a thick jacket is very much needed at night.
Cost per night = SGD247.93/RM754 for the whole unit for 6 persons (can stay up to 8 guests)
(+) Beautiful view, spacious and cosy, friendly staffs
(-) Unstable electricity supply, difficult route leading to the resort,
Wall fireplace and hot tea to keep us warm.
Breakfast.
The little garden in front of the house.
Good morning, world!
Probably the best view throughout the trip, if I am only allowed to pick one.
Salmiya Italian Restaurant
Address: 122 PBC Hwy, Nuwara Eliya 22200, Sri Lanka.
Opening hours: 11.45am to 9.30pm daily
A small, family-run restaurant that serves great pizzas. However, as the restaurant can fit only 5 tables, the waiting time can be relatively long during peak dinner hours. Forgot to mention that the day we visited Nuwara Eliya was Christmas Day and it's not hard to guess that this Italian restaurant was more packed than usual days. We waited for about 15 mins to be seated but luckily, the food didn't disappoint. The freshly oven-baked pizzas had a crispy crust and well-seasoned toppings.
Spot this and you know that you are at the right place!
Ramboda Waterfall
The drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is long and people who tend to get motion sickness may suffer a little. The only stop we made was lunch at Ramboda waterfall. The restaurant where we had lunch actually belongs to Ramboda Falls Hotel. You can choose to have an international buffet or order ala carte. Either way, the prices are still higher than the average meal in Sri Lanka, but you have to factor in the beautiful scenery. You may even travel down to the viewpoint of the waterfall and take some nice photos. It's a merely 10-minute walk.
My tour guide plucked a flower from nowhere and offered it to me as a prop for the photos.
Blue Field Tea Factory
There are multiple tea plantations or factories where you can pay a visit along the way to Nuwara Eliya town area. Due to time constraint, we only selected two with strong reasons behind that I will explain later. Our first stop was the Blue Field Tea Factory. We were attracted by the free-of-charge factory tour. Short but informative tour guided by the dedicated factory worker.
However, I would not recommend buying tea in bulks here (disclaimer: we do appreciate the factory tour and recommend buying some to show our sincere support) as there are better options of high-quality tea out there. Taste-wise, it is not as good as Damro Tea that I will be introducing shortly. Nonetheless, if you are looking for cheaper gift options, the tea here is priced considerably lower than other more established brands including Damro.
Drying the freshly plucked tea leaves.
The outer appearance of the factory.
Free sampling of hot tea.
Damro Tea
Previously known as Mackwoods, Damro tea factory remains one of the most popular tea factories among the tourists on the way to Nuwara Eliya. In contrast to Blue Field, the tea factory here is not opened to the public. However, there will still be a brief tour introducing different types of tea leaves here. Just to summarise, there are 3 main types of tea leaves, namely white tea, green tea and black tea). White tea, also the most refined and expensive one, is more commonly called "golden tip" or "silver tip". The reason for its preciousness is being handpicked from the buds of selected bushes in the early morning. White tea is often very delicate and subtle in flavours. Next up is unfermented green tea that has a light flavours. Lastly, we have black tea, the most common form of tea in Sri Lanka. Black tea is fully fermented and has a stronger taste compared to the other two. Which one to buy totally depends on personal preference.
Another round of tea tasting. And don't forget to order their delicious chocolate cake. It goes really well with tea.
Nuwara Eliya Post Office
Love the colonial-style buildings in Nuwara Eliya. This post office is the most iconic building to visit in Nuwara Eliya. Too bad that we came on a public holiday (Christmas Day) and the post office is closed. I would love to send a postcard home!
The temperature
One of my favourite photos from the trip. Too bad that the sky was dimming and we couldn't spend more time here.
Grand Hotel
I almost wanted to book this place for our night in Nuwara Eliya but it was sold out!!! I have the mindset that a trip to Nuwara Eliya is not complete without staying in a colonial-style room... It's okay, we compensated ourselves by paying a visit to the Grand Hotel, just to get a sense of how beautiful it was.
We took a stroll in the serene garden before dropping by the main lobby.
Love the quote very much and have to share the photo here.
The lobby.
There are so many tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya and it will be up to your driver which one you will be dropped at.
Wasn't very hopeful for my brother's photography skills but this turned out perfect!
Love this series of photos very much! We had a short time in Nuwara Eliya but we totally enjoyed it! :)
Comments
Post a Comment