Horton Plains

2014, February - The Long Trip, Sri Lanka - World End

Not too far from Nuwara Eliya (28 km) lies the Horton Plains National Park. The entrance fee was 2500 LKR (13.66e) including small fees for a car and a local person as a driver. It is worth waking up early to get there for a sunrise. After passing a gate, where we bought tickets, we went to the main park entrance by car. Our driver decided to stay in the car and we went for a walk to the End of the World. At the entrance our luggage was checked and all plastic bags removed (paper bags were given). On the way we saw endemic monkeys (purple faced leaf monkey) and many birds. On the way to World's End we passed The Small World's End with breathtaking views.  We spent there almost the whole day. It is also a place in which local people spend weekends too so it is better to be there in the morning as it might get crowded later on. In the afternoon, weather changed and clouds covered the whole area.  

Sunrise

A few minutes after sunrise

Small world end

Purple faced leaf monkey

Purple faced leaf monkey

Toilet with a view

Bakers Waterfall

Tea time

2014 February, The Long Trip - Sri Lanka, Tea plantations

It was a tea day. There are numerous tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya. You can visit a lot of tea factories if you drive a car around. Usually, there's no entrance fee or you need to pay 100 LKR (0.54e) per person. A guided tour is provided. Some of them offered a free cup of tea. Others charged you almost nothing for a cup. Each place had a shop with various kinds of tea. If you want to buy 250g or more, just ask the staff, they should pack it for you and sell cheaper than with elegant boxes. We visited Labookellie Tea Factory (Mackwoods), Glenoch Tea Factory and Pedro Tea Estate. Near Pedro Tea Estate is a Lovers Leap Waterfall. To get there you need to cross the street and go to management building, and turn left. It is 30 minutes walk.

 Waterfall

Lizard

Tea

In the factory

Smells good

Going home