Haputale

* I find that I am smiling a lot as the warmth of the people around me infuses me with well-being. Their life style and attitude is unbelievable sanguine. I must confess that I grew up in environment of more sad, unsatisfied people, moaning all the time. Sri Lankan people are not such type at all. It is not only one observation… to be continued*

Finally I’ve got weekend off, so spontaneously Mandy (Germany) and I decided to go to the Hill Country (area of green and lush as well as entire region is carpeted with the glowing tea plantations) and then make for Perahera festival.

HAPUTALE (first destination)

Haputale is Tamil and Muslim village, perched at the southern edge of Hill Country. As a lot of places in this area, there are plenty of tea estates and the old plantation bungalows.

It is about 7 hours by bus from Colombo. So we reached our destination at midnight and caught tuktuk to the guest house. The guest house was terrific, located in the top of the hill with wonderful view of mountains chain. The accommodation is not expensive as the average price is 1000 Rs per night. So you can live even in four people in double room and divide the costs. After breakfast (toasts with applewood jam) we made our way towards Dambatenne Tea Factory, built in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton (who doesn’t know Lipton tea?). Due to the rain we had exclusive tour around the factory. The manager explained us the entire process of tea production.

On the average day a tea picker can bring around 15 kg (20 kg in season) of tea leaves and earn around 150 Rs=1.3$. The leaves then go through the process of drying, rolling, chopping
and sieving before being graded.

It was explained to us that during sieving (in 125C) the whole dust (tea remains) is collected and sold as Sri Lankan tea (good to know what I drink everyday).

Finally I know how to make real tea. Here is the recipe how to make fine cup of tea:

• Use fresh spring water to boil until bubbling
• Use 1 teaspoon per cup in the porcelain teapot
• Pour boiling water in a teapot stir gently and brew between 2-3 minutes with lid closed
• Strain and remove infused leaf from teapot
• Serve hot

Lipton Seat

Sunday we spent on hiking through tea plantations to the lookout. On the top we found breathtaking views and picturesque “tea surroundings”. It is thought that Lipton Seat lookout rivals the view from World’s End.

See pictures below:

p.s about Perahera festival in next post...