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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Sri Lanka >> Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka and Tea Plantations (December 2010) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka and Tea Plantations (December 2010)

Nuwara Eliya is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a verdant, picturesque landscape and a temperate climate. It is more than a mile above sea-level (at 6,128 ft) and is the most important area for tea production in the country. Nearby, is Mount Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert and an explorer of the Nile, founded the city in 1846. Due to Nuwara Eliya's temperate climate, it became a sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in the former Ceylon. They referred to it as “Little England.” It also became a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, polo, golf and cricket. Today, Nuwara Eliya is a popular destination for local travelers, due to its climate and beauty. There are also many colonial-era buildings that remain such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club and the Town Post Office. People can still get a feeling of the bygone days by visiting Nuwara Eliya. It is well worth the visit.
Nuwara Eliya and Tea Plantations cover page.
Nuwara Eliya and Tea Plantations cover page.		 Map of Sri Lanka with the star indicating Nuwara Eliya.
Map of Sri Lanka with the star indicating Nuwara Eliya.		 Nuwara Eliya is famous for its tea plantations. When there, I visited the Mackwoods Tea processing plant.
Nuwara Eliya is famous for its tea plantations. When there, I visited the Mackwoods Tea processing plant.		 Tea leaves being processed. Established in 1841, Mackwoods Tea has a venerated name throughout the world.
Tea leaves being processed. Established in 1841, Mackwoods Tea has a venerated name throughout the world.
Machine in the Mackwoods Tea plant that processes the dried chopped tea leaves.
Machine in the Mackwoods Tea plant that processes the dried chopped tea leaves.		 A woman working at a nearby tea plantation. Peasant laborers are used to harvest the tea leaves.
A woman working at a nearby tea plantation. Peasant laborers are used to harvest the tea leaves.		 The slow-growing tea bushes of the highlands of Nuwara Eliya region produce some of the world's finest tea.
The slow-growing tea bushes of the highlands of Nuwara Eliya region produce some of the world's finest tea.		 Tea from Sri Lanka is often referred to by the British colonial name, Ceylon tea.
Tea from Sri Lanka is often referred to by the British colonial name, "Ceylon tea."
Tea plantations are abundant in this hilly region of Sri Lanka.
Tea plantations are abundant in this hilly region of Sri Lanka.		 Several tea factories around Nuwara Eliya (such Mackwoods) offer tours and the opportunity to sample or purchase their products.
Several tea factories around Nuwara Eliya (such Mackwoods) offer tours and the opportunity to sample or purchase their products.		 Another peasant women working the fields.
Another peasant women working the fields.		 Close-up of the field hand. They often come from other countries to work in Sri Lanka.
Close-up of the field hand. They often come from other countries to work in Sri Lanka.
I stayed at the Tea Plantation Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. It was converted from a colonial-era tea factory. It was fabulous!
I stayed at the Tea Plantation Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. It was converted from a colonial-era tea factory. It was fabulous!		 The countryside around the Tea Plantation Hotel was beautiful.
The countryside around the Tea Plantation Hotel was beautiful.		 There were many field hands picking the tea leaves.
There were many field hands picking the tea leaves.		 Close-up of two of them carrying their bundles of tea leaves behind them.
Close-up of two of them carrying their bundles of tea leaves behind them.
The Nuwara Eliya climate is also good for growing coffee, although tea is predominant there.
The Nuwara Eliya climate is also good for growing coffee, although tea is predominant there.		 More scenic views of the tea fields.
More scenic views of the tea fields.		 The fields are dotted with field hands.
The fields are dotted with field hands.		 The labor is so difficult, that the local people would rather hire foreigners to do it for them.
The labor is so difficult, that the local people would rather hire foreigners to do it for them.
Bucolic view of tea plantations with a lake in the background.
Bucolic view of tea plantations with a lake in the background.		 The highlands of Nuwara Eliya are lush and verdant.
The highlands of Nuwara Eliya are lush and verdant.		 View of Nuwara Eliya's Grand Hotel, which is a 156 room British colonial-era luxury hotel that is over 100 years old.
View of Nuwara Eliya's Grand Hotel, which is a 156 room British colonial-era luxury hotel that is over 100 years old.		 It was the former residence of Sir Edward Barnes, Governor of Ceylon from 1830 to 1850.
It was the former residence of Sir Edward Barnes, Governor of Ceylon from 1830 to 1850.
It is an excellent example of a Elizabethan era manor house.
It is an excellent example of a Elizabethan era manor house.		 Even though it is not a Christian country, there was a Christmas tree at the Grand Hotel since it was December.
Even though it is not a Christian country, there was a Christmas tree at the Grand Hotel since it was December.

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