Post by calflier on Jul 16, 2011 22:00:32 GMT 1
Whilst travelling from Europe to Bali (Indonesia),I stopped off in Sri Lanka for a few days and experienced a rail trip from Colombo to Kandy and on to Ella, high in the mountains of central Sri Lanka,through beautiful scenary and tea plantations,here are some pictures from the 5 day trip,I hope you will enjoy them
Starting point,Colombo Fort station,in Sri Lanka,s capital city,
This ex London Transport AEC Routemaster,is enjoying a retirement showing tourists around Colombo.
Early Ceylon railways loco outside Fort station.
A steam crane still in use by Sri Lanka railways which was built in Carslile,in the 1950,s,which was being used to replace a footbridge in Fort station
The Colombo to Kandy line,the nations second city,is quite scenic,but its the moutain section from Kandy to Ella,that is the stunning scenic part of the line,there is a observation coach attached to the rear of the train which looks backward along the line,the train fares are very low,about £4 for an 8 hour trip in the observation coach.
Just like the Johnny Cash song,"I walk the line",this is how most Sri Lankans get anywhere from their mountain villages,they walk on the train lines,I saw some people running along a bridge to get clear of the train!
Train views near Kandy,
Kandy station,8 hours from Colombo.
Enroute Kandy to Ella,a few days later.
View from the observation coach Kandy to Ella
Old railway lines used as a fence at one of the highest stations on the line between Kandy and Ella
mountain scenery,at Ella.
A side trip by bus,this is Banderawella bus station.
Like going back in time,the station masters office,at Ella,he very kindly invited me in and made me a cup of tea!
British Leyland lives on,Ashok Leyland joint venture is still building lorries and buses, in Sri Lanka.
back at Fort station Colombo,
What a lovely country Sri Lanka is,with nice people,I hope to visit again with next time, travelling along the coast to the east of Colombo,these were the coastal towns,sadly affected in the 2005 tsunami,where two trains were completely destroyed by the waves,
In closing,I must add that there is no longer any problem in Sri Lanka now with the Tamil tigers,all hostillities have now ended,however there is still a curfew on the streets of Colombo,after midnight with police and army road blocks etc,there is also no requirement for a visa for UK citizens,and there is no charge to enter the country unlike the £55 fee for India.
I hope you enjoyed my pictures as much as I enjoyed travelling in Sri Lanka, and taking them.
Starting point,Colombo Fort station,in Sri Lanka,s capital city,
This ex London Transport AEC Routemaster,is enjoying a retirement showing tourists around Colombo.
Early Ceylon railways loco outside Fort station.
A steam crane still in use by Sri Lanka railways which was built in Carslile,in the 1950,s,which was being used to replace a footbridge in Fort station
The Colombo to Kandy line,the nations second city,is quite scenic,but its the moutain section from Kandy to Ella,that is the stunning scenic part of the line,there is a observation coach attached to the rear of the train which looks backward along the line,the train fares are very low,about £4 for an 8 hour trip in the observation coach.
Just like the Johnny Cash song,"I walk the line",this is how most Sri Lankans get anywhere from their mountain villages,they walk on the train lines,I saw some people running along a bridge to get clear of the train!
Train views near Kandy,
Kandy station,8 hours from Colombo.
Enroute Kandy to Ella,a few days later.
View from the observation coach Kandy to Ella
Old railway lines used as a fence at one of the highest stations on the line between Kandy and Ella
mountain scenery,at Ella.
A side trip by bus,this is Banderawella bus station.
Like going back in time,the station masters office,at Ella,he very kindly invited me in and made me a cup of tea!
British Leyland lives on,Ashok Leyland joint venture is still building lorries and buses, in Sri Lanka.
back at Fort station Colombo,
What a lovely country Sri Lanka is,with nice people,I hope to visit again with next time, travelling along the coast to the east of Colombo,these were the coastal towns,sadly affected in the 2005 tsunami,where two trains were completely destroyed by the waves,
In closing,I must add that there is no longer any problem in Sri Lanka now with the Tamil tigers,all hostillities have now ended,however there is still a curfew on the streets of Colombo,after midnight with police and army road blocks etc,there is also no requirement for a visa for UK citizens,and there is no charge to enter the country unlike the £55 fee for India.
I hope you enjoyed my pictures as much as I enjoyed travelling in Sri Lanka, and taking them.
