The drive
We drove up to the hills with loads of luggages and our mobile phones. The drive was on curvy and narrow roads with a deep edge as we went higher and higher a few waterfalls we counted. Six hours later we entered a path which stood amongst a bunch of green tea bushes. Beyond which lay a white bungalow with a dark brown roof. The colonial exterior and interior was really calming to the city eyes. We unpacked and got settled while the food was sourced for lunch. We arrived late at 11 am.
After lunch we drove to the town of hatton to grab some tea and groceries. Yes, living in a tea estate doesn’t mean we have loads of tea in the pantry. They do have to buy there own tea too. The drive from the bungalow to the town was curvy and 15 minutes long.
We stopped at the wanaraja tea factory to grab 2 kilos of tea from the boutique. Small and contemporary it looked. The dim light during the day light was something that I loved in the boutique. They had 4 varities of tea and mentioned the dust tea is the best of quality. I wished I got a tour but unfortunately we arrived on a weekend and the factories did not work on weekends.
Off we hopped and drove to the hatton town to grab some vegetables and meat. I stayed in the car while the cousins in law did the shopping (I had my baby in hand too)
Hatton town was busy and active. It wasn’t rural as I imagined it to be, they had everything from restaurants, supermarkets, meat stalls and anything you name it, you will find it. They do have halal meat and food stalls. We stopped at the supermarket to grab a few biscuits and snacks. My aunt just saw the small mobile shop that had fried vada for sale and asked if I wanna try. I said yes and she got me a few vadas. It was so crispy and delicious. That was street food.
Off we drove back to the osborne bungalow (that’s where we stayed). At the osborne bungalow we sipped in hot tea as we enjoyed planning for the next day.
I was mesmerized at the view I sure did miss My VIP. Watching the sun set and getting ready for dinner and bed was next. We ate some bread With chicken and dhal and got the kids in pjs. I had winter clothes and this was my first trip to the hill country. The weather was getting cold and the night was calm. The silent chill of air which entered through the bushes and trees was so soothing to the tired soul from the city.
I felt like a town mouse in the country. Yes. Sri lanka is all about greens and blues but honestly there was something really peaceful about the hills. While the colombo city life is all about traffic and cafes, life in the hills is all about peace and exploring.
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