Sri Lankan Tea Country

Ella, Sri Lanka - February 2016

These bright-green leaves create one of the most sought after teas on Earth – Ceylon, the name given to Sri Lanka when it was a British colony during the 1800s.

The plants thrive in the cool, rainy, humid climate of the highlands, which is one of the reasons Sri Lanka is the world's fourth largest tea producer.





The British introduced the crop and then built railroads to transport it, along with coffee, to the nation's capital of Colombo.

It's worth a trip to Sri Lanka, if for no other reason than to ride through the mountains

enjoying the view,







pulling into stations,

some of which seem to have changed little








since the time of Queen Victoria.

Ella is one of the most popular stops in Tea Country.

Don't let the quaint depot fool you. Tourists "discovered" the town long ago. Developers responded with pizza parlors, coffee houses, and meditation centers.

But a bit of Ella's charm still exists.

Just follow the rails a few kilometers to






Ella Rock, which provides a dramatic, scenic overview of the valley below.

You might even make a few new friends during the four-hour, round trip hike. There's no need for a guide. If you get lost, locals will point you in the right direction.

Walking the rails isn't just for tourists. The train tracks serve as a pedestrian highway, but be warned.

It's technically illegal, and as one of my friends discovered,

trains sometimes appear out of nowhere.






In Tea Country, life revolves around the railroads, and, occasionally, you'll find businesses about as close to the rails as one can get.

I discovered this eatery during my return hike from Ella Rock.

Who could resist the name –

    "Good Place,"

or it's main selling point –

"On the Way Back of  Ella Rock."



Although a Western health inspector might not approve, my friends agreed the restaurant, which could best be described as rustic, was worth a shot.

I made the mistake of asking for a menu. The proprietor laughed and pointed in the direction of the sign. Hmmm...lunch choices. I know. Three orders of rice and curry.

It was the best meal I had in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has a lot going for it – wildlife, scenic beauty, friendly people, great food, cheap prices, and convenient public transportation.

I'd highly recommend adding it to your travel wish list.

Sri Lankan Safari

Udawalawe, Sri Lanka 

For centuries, tourists vacationed in Sri Lanka, but that came to an abrupt halt in 1983 with the beginning of a civil war that lasted 25 years. Now visitors are back in record numbers, and one of the big reasons is a plethora of four-legged attractions.

The wildlife here is said to rival that of the Savannah reserves of Africa.






There are several locations to have a close-up encounter

                    with exotic creatures,






including Udawalawe National Park in the southeastern section of the island nation located off the coast of India.

Udawalawe is three-hour car ride from the capital in Colombo, and you don't need a lot of time or money. Half-day safaris are available. The entrance fee – 2,700 Sri Lankan rupees (about $20 USD).

I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy my trip to the 119-square-mile reserve; however, I must admit I was quite memorized sitting in a jeep a few feet away from elephants that were not being ridden or chained up at the circus,




just free to roam whenever and wherever they pleased, a sight I won't soon forget.

Note: Visitors may only enter the park in a four-wheel drive jeep. The going rate is 3,500 rupees (about $24 USD) per vehicle That cost can be split among passengers, reducing the price significantly.

Many guesthouses in the area organize trips, but there are also jeeps waiting at the entrance if you prefer to negotiate with the drivers there.


Next Stop: Sri Lanka's Tea Country