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After our cultural tour of Kandy, it was time for us to head up into hill country. Famed for the Sri Lanka tea plantations, Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as “Little England” due to its cool climate, colonial-era architecture and rolling green hills. The journey from Kandy took around two and a half to three hours. Winding through lush forested landscapes and passing terraced hillsides as we ascended higher into the central highlands.
Nuwara Eliya Tea Factory Tour
Our tea tour was at the Glenloch Tea Factory, a working tea estate nestled amidst sweeping fields of green. As we entered the factory, the air was filled with the distinct, earthy aroma of dried tea leaves. Our guide walked us through each stage of the process and it was fascinating to learn how the same leaf could become black, green or white tea, depending on how it was processed.
Outside, we watched the nimble-fingered tea pluckers at work. Being from a tea guzzling nation, it was quite interesting to see where my favourite evening beverage comes from.
At the end of our tour, we were treated to a steaming cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea. Naturally, we couldn’t leave without picking up a few packets of tea to take home. Even though this is most likely the PG Tips we drink at home anyway, it was nice to buy some tea straight from the source.
Ramboda Falls
After our visit to the tea factory, we stopped for a quick lunch with a view – the beautiful Ramboda Falls. At 109 metres tall, it is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.
Although we didn’t explore much of the falls, it was definitely one of the prettiest pit stops I’ve ever had. It was the perfect scenic break before heading to our accommodation.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya
Our accommodation in Nuwara Eliya was the Jetwing St Andrews Hotel. A former country house “reminiscent of the days of the British Rulers”. Nestled in beautifully manicured gardens and exuding old-world charm, the hotel felt more like a country manor than a typical holiday resort.
Upon arrival, we were greeted not with the usual cold towel and icy beverage, but with a warm flannel and a small cup of hot soup – a quirky touch that reflected the cooler climate of Nuwara Eliya. The Nuwara Eliya temperature for April averages at about 22°c, where as Kandy for example can be as much as 31°c. Still, 22°c is rather pleasant for us Brits.
As it was our honeymoon, we were delighted to receive a room upgrade and a complimentary cake. St Andrews definitely delivered with the honeymoon perks here.
Exploring Nuwara Eliya Town
Later that afternoon, we were given a few hours at leisure. We ventured into the town centre of Nuwara Eliya for a bit of local flavour. Plus it was only a short walk away. It turns out that me and my husband were the only ones who actually bothered to get out there and explore, everyone else fell asleep or something equally lame.
You snooze, you lose. I came back from town with a bargain. We ventured into a sari shop where the owner encouraged me to try one on. I ended up purchasing myself a beautiful sari for about 3000 LKR (about £15 GBP at the time). And yes, I wore it proudly that evening for our final group dinner, to compliments from our fellow travellers. Definitely a honeymoon souvenir with a story.
Our last day in Sri Lanka
The next day we all bid each other a farewell and a bon voyage. Some of the group were heading back home, while others were off to unwind on the sunny shores of Bentota Beach. Our tour came about full circle as our final stop in Sri Lanka was back to where it all began at Mount Lavinia Beach. We stayed at the Mount Lavinia Hotel for one more night and enjoyed a romantic candlelit dinner. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable adventure through Sri Lanka – a country of culture, nature, warmth and incredible hospitality.
After all the sightseeing and excitement, it was time for us to chill out with a cocktail or two and continue our amazing honeymoon in The Maldives.
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