Sights on the road from Walapane to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Road side water spouts constructed for bathing by the public.

A roadside boutique.

Mist shrouded mountains

Inside the Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya, the cold region of Sri Lanka in the central hills, has two 'seasons'. One is in April and the other is in August. The April season is the bigger one where crowds fleeing from the heat of the rest of the country come in droves to Nuwara Eliya. In April the flowers are in bloom, beer stalls adorn the pavement, pony racing  and golf occupy the daylight hours  and dancing goes on in the hotels till midnight.

Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

A bright sunny day and the garden was gorgeous. I did not have time to sit and enjoy the sights as we were rushing through on our way to Ella.

Mini railway in the Childrens' area, Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Pony rides, swings, Ferris wheels and a mini railway ride are enjoyments provided for children in this scenic park.

Sights at the Victoria Gardens, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Sights at the Victoria Gardens, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Tourists joining a 'photo-session' of a wedding group in the gardens. These photos are used to make a 'story-book' albums to record wedding celebrations in present Sri Lanka.

Flowers and colours galore in the Gardens.

We waited about one hour in these gardens. I wish I had spent more time there. It was a sunny day and the colours were very bright.

Somerset Estate, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

'Peduruthalagale' the tallest mountain of Sri Lanka.

Valley of Somerset Estate.

Tea halt at Somerset estate near turnoff to Radella.

Coming on the lower road from Nuwara-Eliya to Thalawakella I took these pictures.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4O2bY2axTo

Sports at Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Bicycle rentals

Boats for hire on Gregory's Lake.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PuriqDwk5s

Alpine Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

The front of the 'Alpine Hotel'

The restaurant

A wood-burning fire-side

The 'Pub' in the hotel.

The garden in the front of the hotel

Alpine Hotel has 60 odd rooms and has all the necessary comforts. Twin beds cost about Rs.7000/- SL.

Snaps:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZKMbNzAjy8

Nuwara Eliya Gardens, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Right in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, these gardens were laid out during British Colonial times.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_aGjr-F4vY

Dahlias at the Nuwara Eliya Gardens, Sri Lanka

All from one flower bed in the Nuwara Eliya Gardens
Slides on video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4J38bue7_g

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

The Post-Office, Nuwara Eliya.

A tree in the park, Nuwara Eliya.

A visit to Nuwara Eliya in the central highlands of Sri Lanka during April or August is thrilling experience The natural beauty of the place and the bracing cold climate is spectacular.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHUFQAi-adQ

Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Nuwara Ekiya, Sri Lanka.

Near the ticket counter.

Entrance driveway.

Pavement hawkers opposite the entrance.

Ticket counter - Rs.100/- for Sri Lanka Identity Card Holders, others Rs.1100/-

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxkFED3SXcw

We DID NOT enter the Hakgala Gardens as the entry fee for non Sri Lankan Identity Card holders was Rs.1100/- each. A Sri Lankan bystander told us to see the Nuwara Eliya Gardens where the show was better and cheaper - Rs.300/- for foreigners. No ID card was needed to prove that you were a Sri Lankan.

Summer house, Hakgala Gardens, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

 

"The Gardens (27ha) were established in 1860 as an experimental Cinchona plantation from which the anti-malarial drug quinine is derived. Subsequently the gardens were used for experiments in acclimatizing temperate-zone plants to life in tropics."
 It is situated on the winding road descending from Nuwara Eliya to Welimada. There are various sections for roses, ferns, a beautiful rock garden, a place for orchids etc. In addition there are tall trees which emerge out of the perennial mists surrounding the garden.
The multicolored Summer house stands out on a green lawn with the distant hills as a background.
The best time to visit the garden is in April-May of the year when the flowers are in bloom.  

At Horton Plains, Sri Lanka.

On the first few metres of the walk to Baker's falls at Horton plains, you come across this beautiful sight. I took this picture in 1998.