18th Sept. Ella

Adam's Peak is famed for its religious significance. A place visited by many pilgrims who ascend the 5000 odd steps to the summit. Little Adam's Peak outside Ella would be a tenth the height, an easy walk with a few steps at the end then you are there with a magnificent view below you. We met up with a couple of friends we had talked to elsewhere while up there. The route to the top passes through ordered tea plantations with the sound of busy woodpeckers accompanying us as we walked.A beautiful orange/red bird, large. A lone Tamil was selling trinkets he had made from natural seeds along the way. We talked. He used to work in the nearby tea factory but a heart attack at 49 meant the heavy lifting had to stop. His wife was still a plucker but money was tight for putting their children through school. We believed him and bought a couple of things.
Strolling back we came upon 'The Little Folly', a small cafe advertising cake and fruit juice. The rain started giving us a chance to have a chat with the owner, Mr Gunasiri and enjoy the beautiful date cake.
Ella is a typical high country town. Popular with foreign tourists it has suffered with the down turn. The local shop and cafe owners appreciate any little you may spend with them. We met an Australian woman who had called Ella home and busy building a guest house. There are already many in the town, we hope it works out for her.