Hikkaduwa, Galle

First day in Hikkaduwa had dinner in nearby restaurant which was ok. Unfortunately I became quite sick resulting in a day in bed. Others had a great day. First to Galle and the old Portuguese fort with a tour with a local guide who was very good. Had a nice cool drink at a hotel owned by a Sri Lankan who had lived in Australia for some time. After the tour they had good lunch in fort then on to a train trip. The train trip that was to be a feature of the tour had to be cancelled so this was added in to appease the train lovers. Travelled a number of stations. Following this they had a boat trip around the small islands dotting the coast line here. Stopped at an island to witness cinnamon harvesting. Back to hotel and Judy had dinner in the hotel.
Next day, I’m improved. Took a trip to a moonstone mining and jewellery making operation. Interesting. Judy bought ring and elephant pendant.
Rest of day was free. Judy and I and another of the group caught the train from Hikkaduwa to Galle. Had a walk through the fort s I could catch up. Fantastic huge fort with massive stone walls surrounding. Clock tower at one end and lighthouse at other. Huge area in the middle with many hotels, Grand and not so, restaurants, cafes, museums, working courthouses and other admin offices. Old buildings converted to hip hotels and cafes. Galle cricket ground opposite fort. International games played here.
We 3 squeeze into 3 wheeler (tuk tuk) for trip back. 18 kms $15. Good fun.
Special dinner of jumbo prawns and/or lobster tonight.

Ella to Hikkaduwa

Full driving day today. Left Ella 9am. Drive south passing waterfalls and when down to flat ground, many kilometres of lush green fields, primarily rice paddies. Stop at Elephant Transit centre, where injured and orphaned elephants are treated until old and well enough to be released into the wild, carrying radio collars. Witnessed feeding time where they are let into the feeding area in batches. First stop is the milk section where they are given milk via a hose into their eagerly open mouths. Have to be forcefully moved on to allow the next batch. After milk they move over to a section where  jack fruit tree branches are strewn about for them to eat. Some move to a small pond and throw water over themselves using their trunk.
Back on the road and stop at small roadside bakery for crocodile buns. Crescent shaped bready buns baked in wood fired ovens and sprinkled with sugar. Tasted great. Eventually reach south coast and head west along coast road. Lots of surf beaches and predominately young tourists. Stop to take photos of traditional stilt fishermen, standing on poles stuck in the sand in shallow section of beach and fishing with simple stick and line rods with small hook. No bait used. We pay about $1.50 each to take photos. These guys now earn as much from tourist photos as fishing. Continue on through Galle before reaching Hikkaduwa, another coastal town at 6pm. Check in and have a look around hotel and beach then dinner at local restaurant. Tomorrow go back to Galle for detailed tour.

Ella

After breakfast, start out on walking tour. Walk about 4kms and climb little Adam’s Peak 1140 metres high. Walk through tea plantation and past small Hindu settlement. Some kids selling fruit and trinkets along way. At top get great views across Ella Gap.
Next climb back down and walk about 1km through bush (here be leeches) to reach the Nine Arches railway bridge. Then decide to walk back along railway line about 3kms back to hotel. Total walk tour about 4.5 hours. Arrive back for beer and lunch. Shower (no leeches found) and lazy afternoon.

Nuwara Eliya to Ella

There has been constant rain for days and our walk on Horton plains had to be cancelled due to land slippages. This morning we visited Hindu temple and the botanical gardens. Both interesting. Then back to hotel to check out and partake in incredible high tea as farewell to Grand Hotel. 

Drive to Ella interesting with views of both tea plantations and many vegetable gardens. Arrive at Ella which is a thriving tourist location with many back packers. Looks like SL’s Nimbin. Change over to smaller vehicle as Bus cannot fit up narrow roads to hotel. Drive up steep narrow dirt track arriving at Mountain Heaven Hotel with fantastic views down across Ella gap. Lunch (of course, it’s only been a couple of hours since we last ate). Then nap time in nice room with view.