A few photos of the tea plantation visit, our tuk tuk driver took us up very rocky unmade roads that looked impassable, but we eventually got up into the high country, and on the way squeezed into the tuk tuk one of the pickers to locate the area being picked or plucked as they call it. They pluck the shoots and the first couple of leaves, which regrow and are ready for the next plucking in a week or so. The rocky road up Some Pickers Plucking the shoots The man in charge ( always a man of course ) A refreshing coconut milk drink en route home Lisa having a moment of joy in the hills
We visited a tea factory on the way to the plantation, which was interesting. They use old grinding and drying machines combined with modern Japanese photo-sensing machines, for separating the black tea leaves from the brown stalks which are used as a mulch for the growing bushes. The first drying stage Checking More drying
A few pics from yesterdays train adventure Some interesting notice boards in Kandy rail station The Train Open doors Jumping the gap From the carriage window, it was a beautiful scenic route following the west coast
Just catching up a bit with our visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy here are a few photos This tree is an interesting one, unfortunately it wasn't labelled, the flowers and fruits grow directly out of the trees trunk, I thought at first it was a vine growing on the tree. The top of the tree has normal branches of green leaves The scented flower The fruit Along the west side of the gardens the trees were alive with fruit bats, which at night flew a few kilometres into the town trees
@Terry Page , thanks for such a wonderful trip so far! I loved all the great photos. I never knew Sri Lanka was so lovely!
Kandy seems to fit you two very nicely. It's peaceful, beautiful, intriguing, and you look happy, healthy, and at peace.
Are you going down to Yala National Park, Terry? We didn't have time to visit, but we met some people who went there and they said it was fantastic.
Terry, the photos of the Botanical gardens are superb!! I love those. You know, I don't know if it's been said already, but the photos of all your trips are just fabulous..in that they are sooo informative as well as beautiful...they are just so interesting that one feels that one needn't ever go and visit those places in person because we get the feel of being there personally through you and Lisa's travels ...thank you so much, I just love your photos, and I show them to my family who love them too..
Thank you Holly you are you too kind, I try to convey the feel of the place and it gives me pleasure that others can enjoy my travels, knowing one day I may be enjoying others travels, when I finally pack away my suitcase and become home bound.
Sadly we are running out of days Tom so we won't make it, though like you I had heard it is a great place to visit.
Here are a few pics of one of the many traffic jams around Kandy The buses often have flashing images of Buddha and Jesus in the usual garish ( to westerner's eyes ) Asian style The Tuk Tuks have many inscriptions on them, some of them are funny.
Yes I would never have come here but for Lisa being in my life Ruby, the people here are what makes the country though, they are simply lovely. We left the last family we stayed with in Kandy in tears, we will certainly stay in touch with them, and have an open invitation to go back anytime as family.
Still catching up this is the Kandy traditional dance performance we attended. The symbolism was over my head but fascinating to watch
The Penthouse on the Rocks We have one more night here and then back to Colombo, and then sadly leaving Sri Lanka the following day on Thursday The first flight of four sets of steps The third flight and we are on the top floor its about 100 steps in all, so our daily exercise. The view from the top over the Indian Ocean is worth the long climb though. One of the garden areas There are several gardens here and a family of monkeys and various other wildlife live here. Caught in mid air The local alcohol shop about 1 mile out of town, all alcohol is sold only in these wire caged stores, which are situated out of the town. I bought our stout here.