Nuwara Eliya is a resort located at an altitude of 1884 meters. It was created by the British in colonial times. They used to come here in April, when it was too hot in Colombo. Here are villas, beautiful parks, lake, golf course, and racetrack. It's really much colder here than near the ocean. We stayed in an old colonial hotel and were not able to stay in a room without a heater. From December to April, daytime temperatures are up to +21 and +10 at night. From September to December, the daytime temperature is not above +15. During the rest time of the year the average temperature is about +15-18.
In the downtown are beautiful colonial houses and an old post office, from which we sent a postcard home. However, we didn't receive it :)
Near the town is the highest peak of the country, Pidurutalagala (2524 m), but it is closed for climbing, as a TV tower stands there. Nuwara Eliya can be a starting point to visit the beautiful waterfalls in the area, the botanical garden Hakgala and the Horton plateau.
Old post office ©Yuriy Buriak
Hatton National Bank (1888) ©Yuriy Buriak
Hatton National Bank (1888) ©Yuriy Buriak
Hatton National Bank (1888) ©Yuriy Buriak
Villa of colonial times ©Yuriy Buriak
Old post office ©Yuriy Buriak
Sending a postcard home ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: Bus from Kandy goes about 4 hours, leaves often. Bus from Colombo goes 6 hours and from Haputale - 2.5 hours. Once a day there is a bus from Matara (7-8 hours). The nearest railway station Nanu Oya is located 9 km from the town, the buses usually wait for people who come by train. There are several trains per day with cars of three classes from Colombo and Kandy.
