That Grubby Red Train Again
Meena Hot, it's the last time I'll be in here. Time to grab their Paratha breakfast before heading off to the Station, and hopefully getting a ticket to Ella, the next port of call on this Sri Lankan expedition. It's a village with some altitude, picturesque with more of those panoramic vistas among mountainous terrain, according to sources on the Internet, sounds worth a visit.
It's another of those grubby red trains again as it rolls in 40 minutes late. 1140 now and no one seems to know how long this journey actually is - 3 1/2 possibly 4 hours is the consensus. A handful of tourists, all well recovered from their marathon hike up Adams Peak and heading off towards the mountains and tea hills of haputale and Ella.
Train rolls out of Hatton full, standing room only although I managed to grab a seat, but had to grab it fast! On the way to Ella then and hopefully a scenic ride on the way. Soon those awesome panoramic views keep us tourists fixated, cameras snapping. Each stop gathers more tourists, standing room only though as a few opt to hang out of the doors. Seats are offered in the 1st class carriage and are accepted by those standing, but at the normal cost!
The train creeks, grinds and even bumps along frequently grinding to a halt in the middle of nowhere. Smokers seize the opportunity to light-up whilst gazing dreamily at the vista on offer under the clear blue sky. The horn blasts and we're off again.
4 hours and 10 minutes since leaving Hatton the train rolls into Ella and a mass exodus of tourists and locals. As usual outside stations a large gathering of tuk tuks and their drivers touting for business, selling rooms and tours. They're here for the hard sell too, 3000 rupees is the starting price and I begin to walk away. 1500 is the next price - I say 1300 and the deal is done, making sure there are no hidden tax's or steep extra tuk tuk charges as can often happen in Sri Lanka.
Meena Hot, it's the last time I'll be in here. Time to grab their Paratha breakfast before heading off to the Station, and hopefully getting a ticket to Ella, the next port of call on this Sri Lankan expedition. It's a village with some altitude, picturesque with more of those panoramic vistas among mountainous terrain, according to sources on the Internet, sounds worth a visit.
It's another of those grubby red trains again as it rolls in 40 minutes late. 1140 now and no one seems to know how long this journey actually is - 3 1/2 possibly 4 hours is the consensus. A handful of tourists, all well recovered from their marathon hike up Adams Peak and heading off towards the mountains and tea hills of haputale and Ella.
Train rolls out of Hatton full, standing room only although I managed to grab a seat, but had to grab it fast! On the way to Ella then and hopefully a scenic ride on the way. Soon those awesome panoramic views keep us tourists fixated, cameras snapping. Each stop gathers more tourists, standing room only though as a few opt to hang out of the doors. Seats are offered in the 1st class carriage and are accepted by those standing, but at the normal cost!
The train creeks, grinds and even bumps along frequently grinding to a halt in the middle of nowhere. Smokers seize the opportunity to light-up whilst gazing dreamily at the vista on offer under the clear blue sky. The horn blasts and we're off again.
4 hours and 10 minutes since leaving Hatton the train rolls into Ella and a mass exodus of tourists and locals. As usual outside stations a large gathering of tuk tuks and their drivers touting for business, selling rooms and tours. They're here for the hard sell too, 3000 rupees is the starting price and I begin to walk away. 1500 is the next price - I say 1300 and the deal is done, making sure there are no hidden tax's or steep extra tuk tuk charges as can often happen in Sri Lanka.
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