Big boost for Sri Lanka

Earlier this week, Australia’s Channel Nine devoted its ‘Travel Guides’ slot to telecast a well-structured, neatly produced programme on Sri Lanka. Two fairly mature couples and three youngsters (in two groups) formed the band of commentators. 

They had a mission – travel to interesting places using public transport, mingle with people, observe customs and traditions, taste different forms of cuisine, and discuss their experiences. The camera crew captured the places and activities in the most interesting and authentic way. 

Their journey begins from the Fort Railway Station. It’s early morning. Rushing through the large crowd in Platform 1 are the seven Australians to get on to the train bound for Nuwara Eliya. “It was hot, crowded, smelling, dirty, great,” is how one of the seasoned travellers in the group summed up the initial experience. 

The three youngsters are on their own. One of them, Teng starts talking about “travelling in a part of India”. Another youngster corrects him. They were enjoying the train ride standing near the compartment’s door and admiring the scenery on the way. “Don’t be scared to quickly poke your head out of the doors to take in the view, but just be extra careful,” one of them later said.

All are happy to try the “Sri Lankan goodies” ranging from mango to ‘vadei with fried prawns’ when the train stops at the stations on the way. They don’t have much time for the transactions. The station master blows the whistle. The youngsters run to their compartment. “We had just 21 seconds,” one says.

Approaching the tea growing area, a female says: “Look – see the green tea.” Another chips in. “All teas are green.” 

“One of the things that was amazing was the tea plantations in the mountains. The rich green colour of the tea plants nestled amongst the mountains was visually stunning,” one comments after the trip.

After the seven-hour journey, as they get to the Nuwara Eliya Grand Hotel they are fascinated by the old architecture. Soon they enjoy the “classy” ‘High Tea’ served in the garden. Later they do a stroll in the park, which they describe as “really pretty and well maintained”. 

Being tea drinkers and fascinated by the vast areas under tea they visit a tea estate and join the others to pluck tea leaves. 

The hotel staff is keen to play soft ball cricket. The visitors oblige.

Monkeys and elephants

From the cool climes they move to the dry region. Though Dambulla they reach Heritance Kandalama Hotel, “one of the top eco-friendly hotels in the world”, and are warmly received. The more senior couple is offered the Royal Suite and they are highly elated. All admire the greenery right round and are greeted by the monkeys hovering around as they walked into their rooms. 

Gazing out of the windows they observe the mountains in harmony with natural environment.

Just as much as they wanted to see tea gardens, in their list is elephants. They see enough and more during the elephant safari at the Minneriya National Park where they get close to them in the open vehicles they are driven around by the park staff. 

During the trip the youngsters are bold enough to try ‘kiribath’ and hoppers with ‘katta sambol’ though warned about the chillies used. They use their fingers to eat ‘in keeping with tradition’. “One hundred per cent Sri Lankan find. Lovely!” 

A visit to Sigiriya is tiring – yet no one gives up. Everyone goes right to the top. “Amazing. Beautiful” is their verdict. 

Among the more amusing happenings are two visits – one to a fortune-teller (not one but two) and the other to a snake-charmer. Translators interpret what the fortune-tellers are supposed to have said. 

Though uneasy at the start, they quickly get used to the snake whom they even allow the charmer to put round their necks!

There are at least two ‘never to be forgotten’ rides. One is the tuk-tuk ride and the other the double-bullock cart ride. “Tuk-tuks at high speeds and windy roads definitely are a thing in Sri Lanka, so just go with it. We thought we were going to die but we made it!” is their comment. They get a good jolt in the cart ride, particularly because the trip is on a gravel road. 

What they felt

The three-week holiday trip is cut down to a near-one hour program. Interesting to watch – beautifully photographed and genuine dialogue. 

Here are some of the final comments:

“Sri Lanka may not be everybody’s cup of tea.”

“Really cool people.”

“Sri Lanka is a great place for a holiday.”

“Sri Lanka better than I expected.”

“Best tea in the world”

“All good, except the monkeys”

“Everything cheap”

“The country is a bag of tricks”

“We love Sri Lanka. We’ll come back.”