| Nuwara Eliya |
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Nuwara Eliya Climate Due to the high altitude, Nuwara Eliya has a much cooler climate than the lowlands of Sri Lanka, with a mean annual temperature of 16 °C. But the temperature changes and sometimes it can be as low as 3°C. In the winter months it is quite cold at night, and there can even be frost. Although it rapidly warms up as the tropical sun climbs higher during the day. Demographics Nuwara Eliya is the only district in the country where the Indian Tamils form the majority with 50.6% of the population. The Sinhalese (40.2%), Tamils (6.5%) and the Moors come next respectively. Many tea plantation workers are whose ancestors were brought over to Sri Lanka by the British in the 19th century. Festivals Nuwara Eliya Town Square: The town really comes alive in April for the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, and it is difficult to find accommodation as Sri Lankans holiday in the region during this period. The festive season starts on April 1 annually in a ceremonial manner. The ceremony consists mainly of a band show in which all the local school bands participate.Main attractions during April season include the numerous motor racing and horse racing events. Motor racing comes alive with the Mahagastotte and Radella Hill Climbs, the former being run since 1934. The Nuwara Eliya Road Race and the 4X4 Lake Cross on edge of Lake Gregory attract a fair share of enthusiasts. Parties are held nightly in the hotels, and the season culminates in the nine furlong (1811 m) Governor's Cup, Golf Tournerments and the flower show at the end of the month.The town's attractions include the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Victoria Park is an attractive and well-used oasis. It is popular with birdwatchers at quieter times because of the good opportunities it gives to see various species, particularly the Indian Blue Robin, Pied Thrush or Scaly Thrush lurking in the denser undergrowth. The Kashmir Flycatcher is another attractive bird species found in the park. Galway's Land Bird Sanctuary, close to Lake Gregory, is another wildlife site of 0.6 km².The town is a base for visits to Horton Plains National Park. This is a key wildlife area of open grassy woodland. Species found here include the Leopard, Sambar, and the endemic Purple-faced Langur. Endemic highland birds include the Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye, and Yellow-eared Bulbul. The plains also has a well-visited tourist attraction at World's End, a sheer precipice with a 1050 m drop. The return walk passes the scenic Baker Falls. Early morning visits are best, both to see the wildlife, and to view World's End before mists close in during the later part of the morning.One of the distinctive features of Nuwara Eliya's countryside is the widespread growing of vegetables, fruit and flowers usually associated with temperate Europe. This "Little England" is covered with terraces growing potatoes, carrots, leeks, and roses, interspersed with tea bushes on the steeper slopes.The slow-growing tea bushes of this highland region produce some of the world's finest Orange Pekoe tea, and several tea factories around Nuwara Eliya offer guided tours and the opportunity to sample or purchase their products. The Tea Country Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest exporters of tea. The finest tea in the world, Ceylon Tea is cultivated & processed in Sri Lanka. Since the introduction of tea to Sri Lanka in mid 19the century Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of the tea industry. For many miles prior to reaching Nuwara Eliya from either direction you will find acres and acres of tea plantations, infact nothing but tea estates. There are many factories open for visitors which also have tea sales outlets Pedro Tea Estate Pedro Tea Estate at Boralanda, 3 km away, still uses some original machinery & is less commercialized than other estates. There are some very pleasant walks through the plantations here, especially down to the tank and to Warmura Ella. The Tea Factory Hotel at Kandapola, Talawakele The stunning & spectacularly located Tea Factory hotel stands some 6,800 feet above sea level, just six degrees from the equator, in the lush green misty mountains of Kandapola, in Colombo-Kandy-Nuwara Eliya road. The views from the Tea Factory are breathtaking. Virtually a sight in its own right, the hotel is an ideal location for some lunch & a walk in the beautiful surrounding estates. Built in the days of British Raj, it has been ingeniously converted into a five star hotel so that much of its original style & machinery remains intact. Its reception area is where the factory's leaf drying process was carried out, the tea packing room is the hotel bar & the grading & sifting area is the restaurant. The original oil driven engine, now powered by electricity, is still in place & switched on occasionally.. Labookele Tea Estate The Labookelle tea center on Kandy road offers guided tours of the factory free of charge and also runs a sales outlet and a restaurant on site. The Tea Cup Restaurant Enroute to Colombo via Hatton, about 10km from Hatton town towards Colombo. The restaurant is maintained by the Watawala Plantations Limited. The Tea Cup offers brewed tea and snacks in addition to being a tea sales centre. Labookelle Tea Centre The Labookelle tea center on Kandy road offers guided tours of the factory free of charge and also runs a sales outlet and a restaurant on site. The Tea Cup Enroute to Colombo via Hatton, about 10km from Hatton town towards Colombo The Tea Cup is easily recognizable by the large teacup in the front. Maintained by the Watawala Plantations Limited The Tea Cup offers brewed tea and snacks in addition to being a tea sales center. Toilets here were superbly clean. The Tea Factory An old tea factory turned into a fine hotel is about 30-45 minutes away at Kandapola. Managed by one of the largest hotel chains it offers good food and excellent accommodation. St. Clair's Tea Centre Another sales outlet and a restaurant which also offers open seating, on the Hatton Road at Talawakale. Just above the St Clairs falls. There is a good viewing platform from the location Sports and Adventure in Nuwara Eliya Victoria Park in the town itself is good for strolls. Boating at Gregory Lake is available at the boat house on the Badulla Road. Pony and Horse riding is available at the turf club of Nuwara Eliya also situated within the city. Regular monthly races are scheduled from August 2002. Nuwara Eliya Golf Club Walking distance from the town center, built in 1891 the club offers 18 hole course for a green fee of about Rs 1500., shoes and buy old balls.Nuwara Eliya 18 hole golf club built by colonial British Tea Planters in 1891 is maintained by Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. The Club & the golf course is open to tourists. The club's facilities include a wood-panelled bar, a dining room, a badminton hall & billiard room.In the grounds of the golf club are the remains of an old British cemetery. Sadly neglected is the grave of Major Thomas William Rogers. His reputation as an empire builder (by virtue of his role in the development of hill country) was besmirched by his savage slaughter of 1400 (& lost count) of elephants. Hill Club A member's only club, however visitor's could apply for temporary membership for use of the facilities. A dress code applies for dining where you could borrow appropriate clothes. No jeans allowed. There is also a golf course and tennis courts Tracking and Hiking Nuwara Eliya offers good adventure sport locations because of it's landscape.Pidurutalagala (2550m) Highest mountain peak of Sri Lanka is just north of the town. Though the summit is not open to the public, hiking is possible up to 7000ft. There are several water falls along the track. Cycling Enjoy the unique experience of cycling through Nuwara Eliya and the surrounding tea plantations. The cycling routes around the hotel are virtually traffic-free, and will take you through a landscape of breathtaking natural beauty. You will feel as if you are cycling through an English countryside. We provide excellent mountain bikes, which are suited to rugged terrain, on rent to our guests. All our bikes are regularly checked and maintained for maximum safety and comfort. Water Falls around Nuwara Eliya There are many popular water falls around the town. Many could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking expeditions. • Ramboda Falls - 329 ft. is also an attraction in this area. • Devon Falls (named after Devon, a pioneer coffee planter) - Falls drops 97 meters and is It is 6 Km west of Thalawakelle and there is a special parking and viewing spot at the 20th mile post. • Lakshapana Falls - off the Nuwara Eliya - Kandapola Road. The Nuwara Eliya beer is brewed from the water of the stream. Lakshapana Falls rise from the Lakshapana estate and plunges into the Maskeliya Oya via Maoussakelle. Viewing this fall is easy if you camp down at Upper Glencairn, Dickoya. • Lover's Leap (It is said how an eloping couple, pursued by an irate father, threw themselves over the falls.) This is off the Nuwara Eliya - Kandapola Road. The waters are taken to brew the famous Nuwara Eliya Beer. Gregory's Lake - Nuwara Eliya This lake was fashioned under orders of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. A boat yard now allows visitors to go boating and rowing. Hakgala Botanical Gardens The Gardens was firs established in 1861 under the curatorship of three British of the same name - William Nock, JK Nock and JJ Nock. It lies under the Hakgala Peak, between 5000 - 6000 feet in elevation - the highest set Botanic Gardens in the world. It boasts 100 year old Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars, Himalayan Pines and English Oak. The Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains is a National Park and the highest plateau in the island consisting of grassland interspersed with patches of forest, with some unusual high altitude vegetation. The Plains are a beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent walks. The most stunning place is the World's End, where the southern Horton Plains suddenly ends, and drops off to nearly 700 Metres, which is an awesome sight indeed. This is a favourite place for trekkers, as there are plenty of soft and hard trails. This is a misty grassland plateau at an elevation of more than 2,000m (6,500 ft), located about 20 km from Nuwara Eliya. It consists of grassland interspersed with patches of forest and some unusual vegetation that grows only at high altitudes. From this plateau rise Sri Lanka’s second and third highest mountains. The plains afford some excellent walks. The silence of the plains is strange and mysterious. The most amazing feature of Horton Plains is World's End where the southern part of the plains comes to a sudden end and drops almost straight down for 700m. Dawn is the ideal time to view this site when the mountains are free of mist and the sun is just rising. The dense forests are home to deer, jackal, the shaggy bear-monkey, sambur and the occasional leopard. The plains are also popular with birdwatchers. Travelling time from the hotel is 1.5 hours (45km).A national park, Sri Lanka's highest plateau is an excellent excursion and a paradise for nature lovers, hikers and bird watching. The grassy plains still host many other wild lives. Also within the park are the World's End, a shear drop of 1000m offers a breathtaking view of the land below on clear days, Bakers Falls and and trails for hikers. Lover's Leap - Nuwara Eliya This is off the Nuwara Eliya - Kandapola Road. The waters are taken to brew the famous Nuwara Eliya Beer. It is said how an eloping couple, pursued by an irate father, threw themselves over the falls. Oliphant Estate - Nuwara Eliya A visit to this estate, entrance from the road at the Ramboda end of Nuwara Eliya, is significant because it was here that the first thirty tea plants sent from China to Sri Lanka were planted by Mr. Laurence Oliphant, increasing his tea acreage to 100 acres. The Ceylon Breweries - Nuwara Eliya The brewing of beer was started in Nuwara Eliya by Sir Samuel Baker in 1881 at Lover's Leap. It is an interesting visit, for the brewery is one of the finest in the island. It's been in business since 1884. Adam's Peak - The Pilgrim Path “Sri Pada” This is through Gampola and Ginigathhena and you will find the story of this old path carved on two rocks off the 28th milestone on the Nawalapitiya - Ambagamuwa road. The spot is called Akuruketupana and the inscription dates to around 1100AD. Today there are four other roads to the peak, the shortest being via Maskeliya and the most popular. Other roads are on the Sabaragamuwa side. Hill climb of a different type to witness a spectacular sun rise or just for the thrill of the panoramic views of Sri Lanka or for pleasure . Not just a trail but a prilgimage to a summit secred to all of the world's major releigions. The most popular hill trail in Sri Lanka to 2200m above sea level. The season is between December and April when the summit is not misty and relatively dry. There are two popular starting points from the directions of Hatton or Ratnapura. Easily recognisable from many areas of the western / southern parts of the country because of it's triangle shape summit as well as from the sea to the west. Secret to Christians Muslims as well as Hindus while to Buddhist it is one of the places where Buddha has visited and left a footprint. Today it has been covered by a boulder. The first climbs dates back to 1000AD by then king Vijayabahu I who had built resting places for travellers. Travellers like Ibn Batuta a Arab pilgrim (1304-1377), and Marco Polo (1254-1324) have recorded visiting the summit.Sripada (sacred footprint) or Samanalakande (butterfly mountain) has been the object of worship and pilgrimage for centuries for persons of all major religions. The British referred to this mountain as Adam's Peak. Watching the dawn from Sripada is a rare experience. On clear days you can see the shadow of the peak cast on the surrounding forest canopy as the sun rises. The 'pilgrim season' begins on the poya (full moon monthly Buddhist holiday) day in December, and runs until the start of the April monsoon. Travelling time from the hotel is 2.5 hours (100km). The Pilgrim's Path to Adam's Peak This is through Gampola and Ginigathhena and you will find the story of this old path carved on two rocks off the 28th milestone at Akuruketupana on the Nawalapitiya - Ambagamuwa road. The inscription dates to around 1100 AD. Today there are four other roads to the Adam's peak. The Nissangala Lena on the road to Adam's Peak This is believed to be the cave in the mountainside, where King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe buried a great treasure, including his regalia. Passing this cave the pilgrims enters the forest to find Sita Gangula, a holy river of ice cold water, where they bathe and put on white garments, before continuing their journey to the peak. A temple to Hanuman near Nuwara Eliya One is a grave stone of one British governor located in the very corner of the golf grounds. He was famous for elephant hunting and it says that he killed thousands of elephants. Folklore in Nuwara Eliya says that every year his gravestone is struck by lightning for the great sin that he did. At present this place is not open for the visitors.Another place related to folklore is the Hindu Temple called "Seetha Kovil" (Hanuman Kovil). It is found on the way to Badulla from Nuwara Eliya before reaching the Hakgala Botanical Garden. The temple is located in the village called "Seetha Eliya". The area is related to the Ramayana story in Hinduism. Folklore says that the mighty king Ravana kidnapped princess Seeta who was the queen of Rama and hid her in the place where the temple now is.There is also a Church called the Holy Trinity Church on church road, which accommodate an old graveyard and most of the grave stones have British names engraved on them. Pidurutalagala To the north of the Nuwara Eliya town rises Pidurutalagala (in Sinhala this translates as straw plateau rock), the highest mountain in Sri Lanka with a peak 2524m above sea level. For a view of the summit and a superb panorama of the surrounding hills and plantations, you can walk to the top of the picturesquely named single Tree Mountain, south of town off the Badulla road, in about 90 minutes. Hakgala Botanical Gardens the highest set Botanical Garden in the world The Hakgala Botanical Gardens was first established in 1861 under the curatorship of William Nock, JK Nock and JJ Nock. It lies under the Hakgala Peak, between 5000 - 6000 feet in elevation - the highest set Botanical Gardens in the world. It boasts 100 year old Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars, Himalayan Pines and English Oak.Hakgala Botanical Gardens lie just 10km from Nuwara Eliya town. Hakgala is an essential part of any holiday in the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya. According to legend, it was once the pleasure garden of Ravana of the Ramayana epic, and was one of the places where the beautiful Sita was hidden by the demon king. The extant botanical gardens were founded in 1860 by the eminent British botanist Dr. G.H.K. Thwaites, who was superintendent of the more famous gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy. Hakgala was initially the site for experiments with cinchona, whose bark yielded quinine, esteemed as a tonic and febrifuge. Quinine at that time was widely used as a remedy for malaria. This may have been the reason for the popularity of gin and tonic in these parts - quinine being the principle ingredient of tonic water.The cool, temperate climate of the Hakgala area, whose mean temperature is around 16ºC, was conducive to the introduction of temperate zone plants, both ornamental and useful. These included conifers and cedars from Australia, Bermuda and Japan, and cypresses from the Himalayas, China and as far as Persia, Mexico and California. New Caledonia gave Hakgala a special variety of pines and there are specimens of this genus from the Canary Islands as well.An English oak, introduced around 1890, commemorates the "hearts of oak" of Britain's vaunted sea power. There is also an excellent specimen of the camphor tree, whose habitat is usually in regions above 12,000m elevation. In the Rose garden, you can experience the sights and scents of these glorious blooms in their infinite variety. From here it is a short stroll to the exotic sophistication of the orchid House. A special attraction here is the variety of mountain orchids, many of them endemic to Sri Lanka.The fern's delicate fronds conjure up visions of misty grottoes, lichen-covered stones and meandering streams. The secluded Fernery at Hakgala lies in the shade of the Hakgala Rock, which is shaped like the jawbone of an elephant, from which it gets its name. Sri Lanka's ferns are well represented here, as are those of Australia and New Zealand.The languid low-country lotus and water lily also float in their serene loveliness at Hakgala. Pinks and blues emerging from a background of floating leaves evokes the calm of saffron-robed monks, white-clad devotees and flickering oil lamps. The highlands' bracing breezes are sure to transport the nostalgic tourist from temperate climates back to their homeland. The gardens are located about 45 minutes (22km) from the hotel. The Hakgala Natural Reserve Hakgala Natural Reserve, which is adjacent to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, is the only Strict Nature Reserve (SNR) in the wet zone and was declared in 1938. It can be found at the end of the gardens and is home to a variety of wildlife including bears, purple-faced leaf monkeys and sambur. Bird life includes Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Ceylon Hill Munia, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Black Bulbul, Pied Flycatcher-Shrike and Ceylon Whistling Thrush. There are many other endemic species at Hakgala. Randenigala Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary Randenigala is a modern hydropower and irrigation scheme in Sri Lanka, part of the massive Mahaweli Accelerated Development Programme. It is also the reservoir with the largest storage capacity having a gross storage of 860 million cubic metres (697,000 acre ft.) at full supply level. The project is expected to generate about 525 GWh of electrical energy. The reservoir itself offers a picturesque scene. The wildlife sanctuary is ideal for viewing wild elephants. Travelling time from the hotel is 2 hours (56km). Mahakudugala Peak The peak offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys. Travelling time from the hotel is 45 minutes (14km). Sita Eliya Temple The Temple is located about 1km away from the Hakgala Gardens. According to legend the temple is believed to mark the spot where Sita, the heroine from the Indian epic Ramayana, was held captive by her abductor, King Ravana. Some people call this the only Sita temple in the world. The recently constructed complex, which is modeled on the modern South Indian temple, is set in the idyllic countryside beside a clear stream. Adjacent to it is another new temple dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey-god, who according to mythology was instrumental in rescuing Sita. "There is a rock on the opposite bank where Sita sat and meditated. Also this ashoka forest is a clear indication that she came here when she was brought to Lanka," says G.T. Prabhakaran, who is in charge of the temple. There is also a belief that at a particular point in the stream, the water has no taste. "This is the spot she cursed. You cannot drink the water. Drink it further downstream," one temple worker said. Temple workers are keen to show visitors the spot where Sita bathed, the stone she sat on, and where she prayed. Beliefs here are evidently strong and devotees are convinced that this episode of the Ramayana epic did indeed take place here. Travelling time from the hotel is 1 hour (about 43km).Temperature: January to April 31/17, May to August 29/21, September to December 28/18 Centigrade The HistoryJohn Davy, Samuel Baker & Governor Edward Barnes Nuwara Eliya region was "discovered" by the colonial administrator, legendary Major John Davy in 1819. However, it took another decade for Nuwara Eliya to develop into a commercial & coffee-planting center: it was only in 1930, Colombo- Kandy road was extended to Nuwara Eliya under the guidance of then Governor of Ceylon (1824-1831), Edward Barnes. Nuwara Eliya became the prime highland retreat of the colonialists in Ceylon.In 1846 a young Englishman by the name of Samuel Baker (1821-1893), who had taken a liking to hunting elephants, sambar & boar in the island, resolved to convert Nuwara Eliya, the regular retreat of the colonialists into a model English village. Baker imported Hereford cows & planted strawberries, carrots & leeks which thrived in the eternal spring climate. He planned to build a brewery & sent for all he would need including an arsenal of sporting firearms, farm hands, artisans, a bailiff, a blacksmith with forge, farming machinery & horse-drawn carriage. The only means of transport then was through the Ramboda Pass using bullock wagons & elephant carts. Yet it all arrived safely. The hunter went on to become the discoverer of Lake Albert, the explorer of the Nile and interior of central Africa, Pasha and Major-General in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt & most of all a distinguished writer. An English village, almost. All these English vegetables are still grown in abundance today. Also grown in abundance are flowers. The town still boasts of fine colonial hotels, along with scattered atmospheric villas & guest houses. The town is also brightened up with luxuriant green spaces of 18-hole golf course, trout streams (brown trout in the lake for anglers), the Victorian style old pink-brick post office, race course & English-country-house-styled Hill Club. The club displays an array of hunting pictures, mounted fish & hunting trophies. Houses with mock Tudor half-timbering & hedges, extensive private gardens where dahlias, snap dragons, petunias & roses grow amongst well-kept lawns are scattered around. Intensively cultivated field of vegetables The road out of Nuwara Eliya towards Hakgala Botanical Gardens of Sri Lanka Holidays passes through intensively cultivated fields of vegetables. A short walk up the surrounding hillsides shows the extent to which the intensive cultivation methods have transformed Nuwara Eliya into one of Sri Lanka's most productive agricultural areas. Vegetables grown in Nuwara Eliya are still distributed all over the island. Flowers are extensively cultivated for export to Colombo & abroad. The railway connectionThe key to Nuwara Eliya's prosperity lay in the railway connection from Colombo to the hills. The hill country railway line of Ceylon was extended from Talawakele to Nanu Oya in 1885, & very steep narrow gauge line right into Nuwara Eliya was opened in 1910, but subsequently closed to passenger traffic in 1940 as busses began to provide effective competition. Sinhalese New Year holidays in April Even to date Sri Lanka's affluent still rush to Nuwara Eliya not simply to see but to be seen by the affluent during the Sinhalese New Year of Sri Lanka holidays in April. With mountains, forests, wilderness areas & national parks are all within easy reach, starting only 8km (5 miles) from the centre, Nuwara Eliya is a very popular base for bird-watchers & eco tourists. There are attractive walks round the small town, which has lawns, parks, an Anglican church & the nostalgic Hill Club. To the south of town are the racecourse & Lake Gregory. Boats are hired from Chalet du Lake. Gregory's Lake - Nuwara Eliya This lake was fashioned by then British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. A boat yard now allows visitors to go boating and rowing. The Ceylon Breweries - Nuwara Eliya The brewing of beer was started in Nuwara Eliya by Sir Samuel Baker in 1881 at Lover's Leap. It is an interesting visit, for the brewery is one of the finest in the island. It's been in business since 1884. Victoria park: Bird watching & stroll Nuwara Eliya is popular bird watching country, & there are two excellent areas close to the town. Galway Land Bird Sanctuary covers 60 ha to the north of Lake Gregory, while in Victoria Park, in the centre of town, 38 species have been identified. Victoria Park also has an unusual ornithological distinction: despite its proximity to the town centre, it's a sort of an ornithological hotspot, being visited by a number of rare Himalayan migrant birds, including the yellow-eared bulbul, Kashmir flycatcher, Indian blue robin & the Pied thrush, Grey tit, Pacific swallow as well as Sri Lankan endemics such as the Sri Lanka white-eye. Along the stream that runs through the park are green sandpipers. Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains is a National Park and the highest plateau in the island consisting of grassland interspersed with patches of forest, with some unusual high altitude vegetation. The Plains are a beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent walks. The most stunning place is the World's End, where the southern Horton Plains suddenly ends, and drops off to 1056 Meters, which is an awesome sight indeed. This is a favourite place for trekkers, as there are plenty of soft and hard trails. Mount Pedro (Pidurutalagal Kanda) Sri Lanka's highest peak, densely forested Pidurutalagala rises 2524 m (8281 ft) above sea level, immediately behind the town. The path to the summit, which is the site of Sri Lanka's main television transmitter, is closed to public for security reasons. The dense cloud forest which covers the lower slopes of Pidurutalagala is treasure trove of flora & fauna, with myriad bird species (including several endemics) & even the occasional leopard. We can arrange a walk with a resident naturalist at St. Andrew's Hotel, since the hotel owns much of the land. For a view of the summit, & a superb panorama of the surrounding hills & plantation, we can walk to the top of the Single Tree Mountain, south of town off the Badulla road, in about 90 minutes. Oliphant Estate - Nuwara Eliya This Tea Estate is between Ramboda & Nuwara Eliya. It was in this estate that the first thirty tea plants brought from China to Ceylon were planted by Laurence Oliphant Esq. The patch of plants was to become an estate of 100 acres. To go back to the history of Nuwara Eliya, it was ‘discovered’ during the time of the British rule in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). It is recorded that in 1819 a British hunting party found the place. By 1825, Nuwara Eliya was accepted as a health resort and came to be known as a ‘hill station’. In 1846, a well-known British explorer, Sir Samuel Baker (he is best known for his Nile discoveries) fell under its spell when he spent two weeks convalescing from malaria and planned to make it his home. He returned two years later and built a mini English country town including a bailiff (an official like the present day Mayor), famous English cows, sheep and even a blacksmith and a forge. The stuff had been taken up in bullock wagons and elephant carts. It did not take much time for Nuwara Eliya to be accepted as the first among the country’s hill resorts. The beautiful scenery among the hills, the cool climate, ideal ground conditions to grow flowers and vegetables - all these made it a popular resort. The houses that were built in the early days were typically ‘Old English’. The architectural designs were based on what was then popular in England. Each one had a garden in the best English tradition with immaculate lawn and box hedges. Fishing being a popular hobby among the Englishmen, they painstakingly imported milt and hatched brown and rainbow trout and filled the streams around Nuwara Eliya. Golf being their favourite sport, a beautiful 18-hole golf course was built. It remains a very popular spot among both local and foreign golfers and is considered as one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. The Hill Club - the gray stone mansion on a low hill overlooking the golf course - remains as it looked when originally built in 1876. Mounted heads of leopards, boar and wild animals stare at you from the polished oak walls. The Grand Hotel has also been built in the old English tradition. The post office is authentic English - so is the Anglican church in the town.In the middle of the town is the Victoria Park which boasts of lovely flower beds. Close by is the race course which becomes active in April. A little beyond is Lake Gregory where there is boating. Some of the best tea plantations in Sri Lanka are in Nuwara Eliya. They are a treat to the eye giving the impression of a thick green carpet being laid in a vast area. Nuwara Eliya is at the foot of Pidurutalagala, which offers a pleasant climb to hikers. It’s not a difficult climb though Mt Pedro is the highest point (8,281 ft-2,524m) in the Island. One can reach the summit in about two hours. Hakgala Botanical Gardens is only a few miles away and is well-known for its collection of roses and ferns. Originally it was an experimental cinchona plantation for the production of the malaria antidote quinine set up in 1860. From Nuwara Eliya, one can also get to Horton Plains and from there walk to the World’s End, considered the finest view in all of Sri Lanka. Of course, it’s on a clear day that one can get the best view. The deep precipice drops vertically for about 1,000 feet (328 meters) and falls away almost as steeply for another 4,000 ft (1,312m) and is a breathtaking sight. |