Sunday, May 27, 2012

Temple at Seetha Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Entrance to the Seetha Eliya temple.
Paintings of the legend of Seethadevi
The stream flowing by the side of the temple.
The 'Hakgala' (Jaw shaped stone) hill as seen from the temple.
Legends are related of 'Hakgala' being the site of the palace of Ravana the mythical king of Sri Lanka. The stream and the temple near the stream are claimed to be the site where 'Sitha' the wife of Rama was held captive.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xduWRU33izE

Saturday, May 26, 2012

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.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Tea-pluckers, Haputhale, Sri Lanka.

The plucked 'leaves and bud' from a tea plant.
The Haputhale valley below with cultivated tea bushes.
Gathering the plucked leaves.
Weighing the plucked leaves.
Tea was the main foreign exchange earner of Sri Lanka till recent times. The tea-pluckers form the backbone of the tea industry. These pictures show a point where the plucked green leaves are weighed.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k_EP2NUtAQ

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

'Surathalee' waterfalls, Badulla Highway, Sri Lanka.




Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbztH4a89NU

The beautiful 'Surathalee' S - 'female beloved' - waterfalls lies a bit off the Colombo Badulla highway, past Belihul Oya. It is not visible from the road but one can hear its roar. A walk of 75 meters on a footpath brings it in sight. You can asses the size of the waterfall by the couple bathing in a pool in the rock in the centre of the picture in the middle.