Day 9 – Nuwara Eliya

The day Miles had been looking forward to since we planned our trip! Train trip day! We were booked on the 3pm train from Nanu-Oya to Ella, so we had many enquires from throughout the day, “is it 3pm yet?” Luckily we had plenty to do to amuse him. 

We started out on Gregory lake on a peddle swan ride. This brought back memories of doing the same thing on Lake Burly Griffin as a kid. Then we made a visit to the iconic Nuwara Eliya post office to send home a postcard and of course stopped for tea.

After 10 days on the road and staying in some lovely family run B&Bs and enjoying more traditional rice and curry most days. We were all craving something familar and comforting. So chose the Grand hotel, dining on pizza, steak sandwiches, a glass of red wine and chocolate milk shakes for the kids. We felt like we were cheating but dang it was good!

With full bellies it was time for the train, Supu, clucking like a mother hen, saw us off on the train before driving parallel to meet us in Ella with the luggage. Miles was in his element and Pearl just wanted to ride in the guard’s carriage, we all enjoyed the absolutely stunning scenery.  This stretch of track is the highest railway in Sri Lanka at 6000ft, (thats almost as high as Mt Kosiosko for those of you playing at home), hands down the most spectacular train ride I have been on!

Day 11- Ella and Mini Adams Peak

Another early start to beat the heat. A fairly easy climb up with some steep stairs again but a lovely walk just the same. Again the kids did extremely well with the heat and terrain but we could all appreciate the view at the top. We enjoyed a fresh coconut and lime drink when we got to the bottom which helped sooth all of us.

Ella is a backpackers town, even Supu couldn’t resist taking us to the very popular Chill Cafe for burgers and funky drinks. A three level bamboo tree house with beanbags as seats we were in hipster heaven. The burgers were as good as any we’ve had, so I decided to try my luck at the coffee (those backpackers always need good coffee right??) and hallelujah, my first coffee in two weeks did not disappoint.

Day 12 – Udawalawe

Another waterfall shower broke up the trip down the mountain and when Supu came bursting into our hotel with news of a wild elephant down the road, we jumped in the Prius for an impromptu car-fari to see a glorious sunset and a mother and her child grazing by the edge of roadside.

In the morning we got a closer look at some cute babies with a visit to the Elephant orphanage. These young are taken in and cared for until the age of 5yrs and then released back into the wild. Watching the babies run all big hoofed and clumsy for their milk was so cute and lovely, enough to bring a smile to the hardest of hearts and easy to see the inspiration for the movie Dumbo. Such amazing animals! The museum was also great, the kids learnt really interesting facts about Elephants and were particularly impressed by the fact that babies elephants are in their mothers tummies for 22 months and are born between 50-150kg!

Day 13 and 14 – Mirissa beach

As if the universe was telling me to just enjoy the moment, I ran out data. After a really jam packed but wonderful few days we were all excited to hit the beach and have some down-time. We did just that. after an early cruise to see some blue whales, we swam, ate fresh seafood and like amateur poms we got sunburnt.

Mirissa is a beautiful beach, a little touristy but plenty of beach to go around. At night the sun-beds go away and out come candlelit dinner tables in the sand just perfect for romantic seafood dinners.

Fresh passionfruit home grown and pick for our breakfast that morning. This variety was more like a lychee flavour.

Miles just loving life in his new cricket strip.

The tree hour trip went quickly, we all loved it.

Kids have become very fond of their new friend, Supu.

Interpret as you will 😳

A momentous moment @ chill cafe the best coffee of the trip.

At the Elephant orphanage.