At Sri Lanka, our vacation was going as per the itinerary. The experience of our first two destinations – Sigiriya and Habarana were just all right. But we were thrilled for Nuwara Elia- the teacup of Sri Lanka.
The Mini England Nuwara Elia
103 miles from Colombo, lies the mini England of Sri Lanka – Nuwara Elia. The verdant tea gardens, the colonial structures, lake, and the rose gardens give a British vibe to the place.
Overlooked by the tallest mountain of Sri Lanka- Pidurutalagala, Nuwara Elia is one of the coldest areas of Sri Lanka. The Nuwara Elia witnesses the remains of the British rule in Sri Lanka.
Journey to Nuwara Elia
We reached Nuwara Elia from Kandy. We had the option of either taking the road to Nuwara Elia or taking the train ride to the city. Due to the unavailability of the train tickets, we opted for the road journey. But we suggest you take the latter as the locomotive chugs through the picturesque tea gardens of the Nuwara Elia.
Things to do in Nuwara Elia
- Visit the tea plantations – Tea plantations are the major attraction at Nuwara Elia. You’ll be spoilt for choice as there are plenty of them – Labookellie, Pedro, Bluefields, to name a few. Most of the tours are free. Sampling Ceylon tea is a must at the heart of the world’s famous tea producing nation.
- Enjoy a boat ride on Gregory lake – Located at the center of Nuwara Elia, Gregory lake is beautiful waterbody that offers a few water sports and boat ride.
We took a speed boat and it was a lot of mad-cap fun, to say the least. - Stroll through Victoria Park – The beautifully manicured lawns make for one of the country’s most attractive town parks. The park is adorned with pretty flowers and is home to many bird species.
- Offer prayers at Seetha Amman Temple – Seetha Amman temple holds a vital place in Hindy mythology.
The colorful Hindu temple is situated 7km southeast of Nuwara Eliya. This temple takes you through the chapters of Hindu mythology. For many Hindus, and mythology enthusiasts this is a must-visit
It is said that demon king Ravana held Sita captive in the temple and she prayed daily for her husband, King Rama to come and rescue her. It is then that Lord Rama sent his most trusted devotee Lord Hanuman to meet her.
- Gorge on Indian food at Indian Summer – Overlooking the lake, Indian Summer is a delight for the food palates who go weak smelling the aromas of Indian curries and Naans. We had a sumptuous afternoon lunch there and the view along with the food was divine.
Where to Stay in Nuwara Elia
There are plenty of stay options at Nuwara Elia. We chose Grand Camellia Hotel, which was clean, decent but nothing to write home about.
From Nuwara Elia, we were pretty excited to visit Mirissa, which is a beach town. Find out the details of our sun and sand vacay in the next post.
