The approach, whether by road or rail, is through narrow passes, deep ravines, gushing streams and stunning waterfalls. The vegetation changes from tropical profusion to gentle sprawling rubber plantations, fragrant spice gardens, to cool emerald hills, carpeted by the world famous ‘Ceylon Tea’.

First introduced here by the British, who managed to penetrate the island’s hill country in the 1800’s, tea bushes cover rolling hills like soft moss, interspersed with eucalyptus, albesia and other trees. Tea-pluckers work on the slopes, butterfly-like in their colourful sari’s and adorned in traditional Tamil gold jewellery. Wisps of white cloud soften the dark outline of the high rocky crags, and roll down in gentle waves of mist at dawn. There are still a number of hill stations dotting the hill country landscape, each different in character.

Nuwara Eliya – An area of peace and silence, the nostalgia of the empire builders is reflected in Nuwara Eliya. The town, also known as ‘little England’, is decorated with buildings ranging in style from Georgian to Queen Anne. Parks, trout streams, an 18 hole golf course complete with gorse, the post office with the clock spire, red post boxes, the Anglican church with a lynch – gate, and the Hill Club, with its hunting prints, stuffed fish and polished oak all serve to remind one of colonial times gone by.

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