Tuesday 29 January 2013

Tea Fields, Hatton January 20th 2013

Tea fields of Hatton

Hatton, well, as already mentioned is a rural town which  could do with some investment here and there. Has its fair share of churches and temples though, with their Christian Church perched prominently on a hill top over looking the town.  A look around here reveals a wedding going on. A couple of indiscriminate snaps before moving on. Actually, I'm invited in, but just feels like gate crashing. It's a good location and view point though for some photos of the town. It's just a few meters from the railway station, back towards Kandy.

Walking back down the hill, over the railway line and away from town. Next right is Park Road, leading upwards again and through a residential neighbourhood. A Water pump on the street corner is how some get it, whist i can see others washing from streams and pools. Soon wandering amidst tea fields following the trails. Tea bushes as far as the eye can see. Rolling hills, slopes and valleys with hamlets nestled inbetween, and under a  clear blue sky. Hamlets consisting mainly of poorly constructed dwellings, housing families from the tea estates. Spectacular views across this rural heartland of the hill country. That iconic view of woman tea pickers with their wicker baskets picking the young leaves from tea bushes. A couple of snaps with the camera, but they don't look incredibly overjoyed at my interest in them! One lady though eventually smiles and poses.

Wandering back towards the town direction, looking for that water pump as my landmark. Yes, there it is, just as I had seen it a couple of hours ago. Plenty of dogs around this neighbourhood as I try my hardest not to attract attention, with the thought of rabies in the background. The locals seem excited to see a tourist in their street, especially one wielding a camera and soon the kids are gathering for group photos. Now they want pictures of the pets - a dog and two kittens, happy to oblige of course. Grandma is a little camera shy it seems!

Back into Hatton town for some of that nice Sri Lankan tea, from the local cafe. They know me there now, they know how I like my tea! Hatton is surrounded with tea fields and I suppose a 10 minute stroll in any direction one will find themselves amidst the aroma of tea.

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