The creaking sound of metal wheels running against the tracks was the
only background music we had. As we entered into the thick fluffy clouds, the view slowly changed from hilly tea plantations to foggy blurry heaven. I closed my eyes as
the mist started to brush against my face, and then suddenly, a cute li’l boy
from nowhere sat on my lap and enjoyed the scene with me. Speaking in Sinhalese
Language, he spoke to me as if I understood every word he was saying. I couldn’t
be much happier for that one-dollar ten-hour coach from Ella to Colombo which is definitely the highlight of our Sri Lankan
adventure. It wouldn’t be dubbed as one of the world's most scenic train rides for
nothing.
Sri
Lanka was the third country on our two-month Beach Hop Asia 2016 backpacking trip.
After revisiting Malaysia and Thailand, me and my buddy headed to Colombo for an
overnight transit and then moved to Sigiriya for a four-day visit on the UNESCO
World Heritage Sites. We then transferred to Kalkudah, Arugam Bay, and then went to our last stop in the country, Ella.
After
four days of being stuck in the beautiful Ella Jungle Resort, we emerged to the
main road and waited for a bus going to the center of Ella town. We waited for the bus to pass by outside a preschool and watched the cute school
kids play before the start of their classes.
Arriving at Ella's town center, we
had two hours to roam around before the train arrives so we did a little
errand first, my buddy getting a long overdue haircut. We then walked our way at
the foot of the train station where we had an early lunch on an eatery. We loaded up with local
noodles that will serve as our fuel for the ten-hour train ride.
My buddy's mandatory haircut abroad
Ella, Sri Lanka
Climbing
up the hill to the train station was made challenging with our heavy backpacks
in tow. We bought train tickets and specifically asked to be
accommodated on a local coach (LKR190 | US$1.25)as compared to the touristy air-conditioned one (LKR2,400 | US$15.88). We waited, and waited, and waited, until the
train slowly creeped into the scene with its booming horn.
Here it is!
We could've stayed on the AC coach but no, we chose to be where the locals were.
We
hurriedly climbed up the steel steps and settled on our seat for ten hours.
Not
expecting what to see, I relaxed on the window seat and set my stuff underneath
me and waited for one of the best train rides in the world to commence.
Tea plantations surrounded the Sri Lankan countryside
Truly amazing!
The
Sri Lankan train system started its operations in 1858 pioneered by the British
settlers for the transport of tea and coffee products. A century and a half
later (whoa!), it is now considered as one of the most scenic train rides in
the world. Taking the Main Line (Colombo
to Badulla), we watched as the locals hop on and off through the ten-hour ride.
It
started on a slow, steady pace that transported us to a nice hilly countryside
scene with the chilly afternoon breeze brushing against my face. It was
relaxing as we get to enjoy everything from the open windows. We could’ve stayed
on the comfy air-conditioned coaches but we really do want to have the best
seats.
I am on the exact same position on where he is
Tending tea plantations
It
was dreamlike as we passed by some hilly tea plantations filled with farmers
who were manually tending the area and then after a good one hour we literally
went inside the fog-capped mountains and got the chills, literally. I was
enjoying the scene when a young boy, probably around three or four years of
age, sat on my lap and spoke to me in Singhalese Language and went on with his
musings as if I understood everything he’s saying.
Stopover
Fog. Mist. Blur.
That
moment remained for two to three hours until he effortlessly dozed off in my
arms. It was cute, that moment. The mom was constantly calling her son but the
boy didn’t wanna leave my side. Until they had to leave.
My buddy for three hours :)
The
beauty of countryside Sri Lanka was passing by me and the feeling of amazement
never went off. Until the chilly weather from the uplands awoken the stubborn
me that I felt grumpy halfway through the trip.
Windows
were shut as the freezing wind started to pierce towards my skin. I was grouchy
and didn’t know how to perfectly position myself as my droopy eyes were aching
for rest. I snoozed after battling with the harsh conditions as my buddy was,
still, enjoying the great view.
Into the clouds
Definitely the best train experience thus far
Hours
turned into a day as the sun started its farewell. We were at a busy town where
commuters started to budge inside the coaches. I woke up to that scene only to
realize that my buddy was, still, enjoying the train ride.
We
arrived at Colombo with sore bodies after ten hours. We then
hailed a metered trishaw then headed to our lodging in Colombo, Clock Inn Colombo.
That very special train ride still lingers on in my memory. It may not be as
hardcore as our ten-hour train ride in Myanmar but it was really great as we
get to experience the shifting of landscapes in Sri Lanka. If there’s one thing
that you should do while in Sri Lanka then it would be the greatest train ride
to the heavens.
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