Hatton and the Hill Country..
Last few photos of life around the lake then, as I navigate slowly towards the station. Plenty of time since the train, if on time, is at 10h50, it's only 9am now. That so far elusive Kingfisher has perched just in the right spot for a souvenir photo. The lake monster has reared it's ugly head, seems to be posing for me, either that or thinking about breakfast!
Across the busy fume filled road towards the central market then along towards the station and yet more fumes. Still no ticket for the Hatton train, it's too early. Breakfast at the staton cafe then - 2 thin pancakes with a side dish of dahl and 2 cups of tea, 250 rupees, fleeced again!
Quite a queue for tickets now. Several western tourists have joined in the fun, switching lines, clutching their Lonely Planet guide books looking more confused than ever. 2 lines, one for the Inter City Express Train down to Colombo and the other for destinations in the hill country on trains with 2nd and 3rd class seats available. Ticket to Hatton, 2nd class, unreserved seat is the princely sum of 110 rupees, about 65p. Makes up for being fleeced earlier!
The train rolls out of Kandy, 30 minutes later than advertised, but I'm in no hurry, no hurry at all. It's a smart train, and clean! Light and aired with all windows and doors wide open. It's not long before the scenery turns from gentle rolling hills into, well, steeper hills. Valleys and ravines as the train snakes it's way towards Hatton. The unmistakable scene that is the tea plantations, lush greenery, forested hills and vegetable plots ( allotments to the Brits) all make for a stunning, awesome view. Jostling for space as the German tourists are hanging out of the doors. Better hold on, a large jolt and that's then end of Mr. German tourist! The train empties after a few stops and there are plenty of window seats available for us tourists, snapping away at what has to be Sri Lankas best.
Oh, those German tourists, turns out they were fleeced also. They were charged $16 for a reserved seat in second class! Time to Hatton, well it's anyone's guess but I reckon on an hour judging by the distance as depicted on the tourist map. 12h45 as the train rolls into Hatton, so it's taken 1h30 to snake between the hills, gaining altitude. several tourists alight here, connecting onwards to Adams Peak, by bus which is waiting ready to go, or by taxi, as one Aussie couple are hoping to do for the right price. As for me, I'm going to stay in Hatton a couple of nights and figure out where onwards, possibly upwards might take me. I don't relish a 7km climb up that mountain though, maybe halfway.
A first look at Hatton after crossing the railway track via the foot bridge. It's a typical rural town, rather shabby, poor quality infrastructure, dusty and fumes belching from every bus, tuk tuk and lorry. But there's something about the place that grabs my attention, positively. It's busy, vibrant and the people seem pleased to see me! First meal in Hatton is in the first cafe after leaving the station. Rice, dahl, jack fruit, and something else rather spicey all for 110 rupees, about 65p.
The Aussie couple leave to negotiate onward travel to Adams Peak whilst I leave to find a bed for the night. Not too many options so far, oh dear! First right into Dunbar road, a few meters up on the left there, the Grand Hotel. Outside looks ok, not crumbling away, but what of the inside. Not bad for place in a rural town aimed primarily at natives. Definitely not to western standards but for £5.50 per night, running water, double bed and a normal loo, reasonably clean, then who am I to turn away in arrogance. The name is somewhat misleading though, from a tourist perspective. I doubt anywhere in this town will have accommodation to western standards, perhaps that's why the good folkes at Lonley Planet seemed to have by- passed Hatton altogether.
Last few photos of life around the lake then, as I navigate slowly towards the station. Plenty of time since the train, if on time, is at 10h50, it's only 9am now. That so far elusive Kingfisher has perched just in the right spot for a souvenir photo. The lake monster has reared it's ugly head, seems to be posing for me, either that or thinking about breakfast!
Across the busy fume filled road towards the central market then along towards the station and yet more fumes. Still no ticket for the Hatton train, it's too early. Breakfast at the staton cafe then - 2 thin pancakes with a side dish of dahl and 2 cups of tea, 250 rupees, fleeced again!
Quite a queue for tickets now. Several western tourists have joined in the fun, switching lines, clutching their Lonely Planet guide books looking more confused than ever. 2 lines, one for the Inter City Express Train down to Colombo and the other for destinations in the hill country on trains with 2nd and 3rd class seats available. Ticket to Hatton, 2nd class, unreserved seat is the princely sum of 110 rupees, about 65p. Makes up for being fleeced earlier!
The train rolls out of Kandy, 30 minutes later than advertised, but I'm in no hurry, no hurry at all. It's a smart train, and clean! Light and aired with all windows and doors wide open. It's not long before the scenery turns from gentle rolling hills into, well, steeper hills. Valleys and ravines as the train snakes it's way towards Hatton. The unmistakable scene that is the tea plantations, lush greenery, forested hills and vegetable plots ( allotments to the Brits) all make for a stunning, awesome view. Jostling for space as the German tourists are hanging out of the doors. Better hold on, a large jolt and that's then end of Mr. German tourist! The train empties after a few stops and there are plenty of window seats available for us tourists, snapping away at what has to be Sri Lankas best.
Oh, those German tourists, turns out they were fleeced also. They were charged $16 for a reserved seat in second class! Time to Hatton, well it's anyone's guess but I reckon on an hour judging by the distance as depicted on the tourist map. 12h45 as the train rolls into Hatton, so it's taken 1h30 to snake between the hills, gaining altitude. several tourists alight here, connecting onwards to Adams Peak, by bus which is waiting ready to go, or by taxi, as one Aussie couple are hoping to do for the right price. As for me, I'm going to stay in Hatton a couple of nights and figure out where onwards, possibly upwards might take me. I don't relish a 7km climb up that mountain though, maybe halfway.
A first look at Hatton after crossing the railway track via the foot bridge. It's a typical rural town, rather shabby, poor quality infrastructure, dusty and fumes belching from every bus, tuk tuk and lorry. But there's something about the place that grabs my attention, positively. It's busy, vibrant and the people seem pleased to see me! First meal in Hatton is in the first cafe after leaving the station. Rice, dahl, jack fruit, and something else rather spicey all for 110 rupees, about 65p.
The Aussie couple leave to negotiate onward travel to Adams Peak whilst I leave to find a bed for the night. Not too many options so far, oh dear! First right into Dunbar road, a few meters up on the left there, the Grand Hotel. Outside looks ok, not crumbling away, but what of the inside. Not bad for place in a rural town aimed primarily at natives. Definitely not to western standards but for £5.50 per night, running water, double bed and a normal loo, reasonably clean, then who am I to turn away in arrogance. The name is somewhat misleading though, from a tourist perspective. I doubt anywhere in this town will have accommodation to western standards, perhaps that's why the good folkes at Lonley Planet seemed to have by- passed Hatton altogether.
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