May 2

I did not sleep well… was up at 0100 and threw up due to being backed up!!😧  I went to the living room and finished sleeping on the couch. Then I woke up at 0600 thirsty!!  I feel much better. Jeff came out of the room and asked if I was okay. I explained my issues and feeling better now. Moving on…

At 0830 breakfast was delivered: X5 crepe-like pancakes rolled with the coconut and brown sugar mixture. It was light and hit the spot. We readied and packed. Then I napped a bit, due my lack of sleep. Around one, Dilhan texted us. He came down, Jeff paid him, and we said goodbyes. Dilhan's mom wanted a picture with me. She asked me how old I was. I told her, and then I asked her age. We talked a bit more as we were awaiting our tuk-tuk. It arrived by 1340. We loaded up, waving bye again. We will miss this area. It has moved up on our short list of places to return to.

We arrived by 1355 at the Nano-Oya train station (it is a “suburb” of Nuwara Eliya and is where we came in days before) . The train was supposed to be here 1430… but it didn't arrive until 1540, way late! We loaded up and the train pulled out at 1548. Pooh! This is one of most scenic train rides and because of the tardiness of the train we will miss some due to darkness. A conductor then came through and did a second and the official check of our tickets. The car assistant came through and notified us of a viewing of  the Elgin waterfalls. They were off in the distance, but the water volume seemed full and it was quite nice to behold. We passed more tea plantations and many farming plots, being worked. We crossed the summit level of 1,898.1 meters (6,227.25 feet) above sea level. (Yesterday's summit on the scooter was 1,893m (6,210 feet. I forgot that tidbit.) We witnessed an early sunset due to the clouds. What we did see of Sri Lanka on this train ride was wonderous and beautiful! There is so much green – mostly deep, dark greens – not Ireland greens, but spectacular in its own right! The forests and tea plantations continuing to march down the steep mountain sides. It was stunning!

We arrived to Ella… in the dark, it was 1824. We managed to find our arranged tuk-tuk (we had a license plate # and his WhatsApp #). We set off, a bunch downhill – the tuk-tuk was coasting quite a ways! At our place, Ella Zenith View, at 1839, we checked in, ordered dinner, and was in our room by 1843.

Up on the rooftop for dinner by 1900! Wow, a great vista spot – I can not wait to see the views in the morning. So peaceful and quiet, just the chorus of insects and frogs! I had ordered veggies and noodles, and Jeff had fried rice with chicken curry. It took a while…

2010 we had a first course delivery of leek, carrots, green onion & lentils(?) soup with toast. Oh my! We were not expecting courses!! The soup was very good, so much flavor! We finished but waited and waited… the next course wasn't until 2043! It was a platter (I'm not kidding) of noodles with leeks, carrots, green beans, and green onions, topped with a deep fried hard-boiled egg! And this was just one order.🤯 Next order – a platter of rice with same veggie mix plus ginger, topped with small amount of french fries; and a serving bowl with a chicken thigh in a great sauce with poppy seeds, and sauteed veggies carrots, green beans, and potatoes. While we were eating this course, at 2050, our waiter brought out the third course – dessert of curd and honey. Oh my!! It was way too much food, but good! Wonder what this will cost…

Stuffed, we back to our room and tried to stay up so all that food – mind you, we could not and did not eat all of it – could digest! Bed around 2200. I can't wait to explore Ella!!!!