2013 - OCEANIA - CEYLON

Going to a tea plantation today. This is a long but interesting ride though Columbo which has suburbs stretching for miles, & then out into the hills.

DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS STRUCTURE IS.

RELIGIOUS?

THERE'S NORM TAKING A PICTURE OF HIS WIFE, DIXIE.....

WHO IS AKING THE GUIDES LIFE DIFFICULT...PROBABLY WANTS TO KNOW IF WE WILL BE STOPPING FOR SOME TEA SHOPPING....

They harvest rubber in this place..Rubber! Grows on trees! Course I know rubber grows on trees but it always surprises me to see something like that actually doing it.

as well as tea...hard work in the lush grounds.

We did get to go into the tea factory but no photos allowed & they were very strict about that. Ladies working machines with dust all over the place. Not the best environment to spend all your day. Ladies were very friendly but no time to talk OR HAVE A CUPPA as they were busy, busy, busy.

We had tea & biscuits on the lawn. Very nice.

THERE'S NORM, GETTING HIS ORDER IN....DIXIE AT THE BACK, MAKING SURE HE HAGGLES WELL....

You come across little shrines all over the place.

This is a strange looking building.

& that's it for the former Ceylon. I did get to chat with the guide a little. About cricket mostly but he was great at spotting birds as we passed by. Seems a gentle sort of place which belies the violent times they have had over the years. let's hope that is behind them.