sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

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Hakgala Gardens gARDENS
(adult/child Rs 1100/550; h7.30am-5.30pm) The
pleasantly dishevelled Hakgala Gardens,
10km southeast of Nuwara Eliya (and about
200m lower), are a peaceful retreat. Legend
has it that Hanuman, the monkey god, was
sent by Rama to the Himalayas to find a par-
ticular medicinal herb. He forgot which herb
he was looking for and decided to bring a
chunk of the Himalayas back in his jaw, hop-
ing the herb was growing on it. The gardens
grow on a rock called Hakgala, which means
‘jaw-rock’. Planting season is between Jan-
uary and late-March and at these times the
gardens don’t really look their best.
The Hakgala Gardens are a short bus ride
from Nuwara Eliya (take a Welimada-bound
bus).

Seetha Amman Temple HiNDU TEmPlE
On the way to the Hakgala Gardens, near
the 83km post, is the colourful Hindu Seetha
Amman Temple at Sita Eliya. It’s said to mark
the spot where Sita was held captive by the
demon king Rawana, and where she prayed
daily for Rama to come and rescue her. On
the rock face across the stream are circular
depressions said to be the footprints of Rawa-
na’s elephant.
Tamil wedding parties make it a point to
stop here for puja (at 8am, 1pm, 2pm and
6pm).

2 Activities

The Grand Hotel, St Andrew’s Hotel, the Hill
Club and Hotel Glendower all have snooker
rooms.

Nuwara Eliya Golf Club gOlF
(%223 2835; 18 holes & green fees Rs 5588-6820,
10 holes Rs 4356-5588; h8am-6pm) It didn’t
take the tea planters long to lay out land for
drives and putts in their holiday town, and
the golf club was founded in 1889. Spreading
north from Grand Hotel Rd, Nuwara Eliya
Golf Club is beautifully kept and has a reti-
nue of languid sleeping dogs guarding more
than a few of the greens.
Temporary members pay Rs 500 per day.
Hire golf clubs for Rs 1500 to Rs 2500 per day
and golf shoes for Rs 500 per day. As with
most golf clubs a certain standard of dress
applies (shirts and trousers or shorts of a ‘re-
spectable’ length). The club has a convivial
wood-lined bar and a billiard room. Dinner
in the dining room (%222 2835; Nuwara Eliya
golf Club; mains Rs 450-950) includes classic

bland English cuisine, such as lamb chops

with mint sauce, and an increasing number

of Asian dishes.

Hill Club TENNiS

(%222 2653; http://www.hillclubsrilanka.net; per hour Rs

500) There are four clay tennis courts here.

The fee includes balls and racquet hire. Try

not to lob a ball into the Sri Lankan presi-

dent’s residence next door.

Cycling

Fat-tyre fans will find plenty of steep dirt

trails radiating into the hills from the out-

skirts of town. Ask at the Single Tree Hotel

about mountain-bike rental (%222 3009;

[email protected]; 178 Haddon Hill Rd; per day

Rs 1200). A relatively challenging, but unde-

niably spectacular, 10km day trip is through

the verdant blanket of tea plantations to the

Labookellie Tea Factory (p166). There are a

few hills to climb, but the reward of swoop-

ing downhill makes it worthwhile.

Horse Racing

The Sri Lanka Turf Club sponsors horse

racing at the 1875-vintage Nuwara Eliya Race

Course. The most important event every year

is the Governor’s Cup race, held over the April

Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. The races

usually begin around 10.30am.

Hiking

Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Pidurutala-

gala (2524m), rises behind the town. On top

stands the island’s main TV transmitter; the

peak is out of bounds to the public. You can

walk about 4km up as far as a concrete wa-

ter tank; beyond is a high-security zone. Fol-

low the path from Keena Rd, along a ravine

through eucalyptus forest (the town’s source

of firewood) and into the rare, indigenous

cloud forest.

An alternative walk is up Single Tree Hill

(2100m), which takes about 90 minutes. Walk

south on Queen Elizabeth Rd, go up Haddon

Hill Rd as far as the communications tower

and then take the left-hand path. Guesthous-

es can supply you with a rudimentary map.

For longer hikes, ask at the Single Tree

Hotel (p170). Guided walks in the surround-

ing hills cost from Rs 3000 to 5000. Staff can

also arrange longer camping trips.

If you need clothing for cooler weather or

trekking, head to the market on New Bazaar

St for brand-name outdoor gear from Sri Lan-

kan garment factories at bargain prices.