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IT may be a tedious cliche, but sometimes, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
It’s easy to book ahead from any station but there’s no need to book the tourist cabins; instead, travel in second class – it’s half the price, nearly as comfortable, you get to meet fascinating locals as well as eat snacks from the vendors who wander about the carriages with their fried fare.
Here are a few routes to earmark on your next trip out.
Colombo to Galle
Breathtaking landscapes are not uncommon on train journeys. Pic: VladFace/Shutterstock
Acclaimed writer Paul Theroux was a great lover of this beautiful stretch of rail by the sea. In the sequel to his classic travel book ‘The Great Railway Bazaar’, the journey is a high point in an account often riddled with dark references to the raging civil war within the north of the country.
In ‘Ghost Train to the Eastern Star’ he writes:
Bring along a copy of the book for company for a bit of literary immersion as the white-sand beaches whiz by.
Ella to Kandy
The Nine Arch Bridge is a pre-trip highlight. Pic: Travel landscapes/Shutterstock
The tiny station at Ella is a true blast from the past, looking more like a model train set then an actual train station. But the funicular fun begins when you wander down the tracks at Nine Arch Bridge.
Watching the rickety train pass over this architectural gem nestled in vertiginous slopes is a pre-trip highlight. Try to stop snapping for a while as you wend your way through verdant tea plantations, past sheer mountains and quaint villages. Top tip: Sit on the right side of the train for the best vistas.
Take a few days to detour to Nuwara Eliya. Depart at Nanu Oya where the toy train breaks through the mist into a bucolic village setting. A visit to the oh-so-posh Hill Club is de rigueur for those who still appreciate the concept of dressing for dinner.
Kandy to Colombo
Remember to enjoy the scenes and sounds inside the train as well. Pic: Shanti Hesse/Shutterstock
More tea plantations and flower strewn mountains fly by on the final leg of the journey. Don’t be disheartened as the once-in-a lifetime photos fade to urban landscapes once the train draws towards the city.
Take some time to appreciate some onboard snacks. Apples with chili powder and fried chickpea fritters come cocooned in newspaper to be savored before you alight into the exciting milieu of the capital.
The post Sri Lanka’s magnificent train journeys will be the most rewarding part of your trip appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com