Uva province is very famous for the tea plantation in Sri Lanka. The story of tea begins hundreds of years ago when the country was still a British colony. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, a British planter who arrived in 1852.
Today, the story is about a unique tea estate in the Haputhale district in Sri Lanka. The magnificent landscape mountains views covered with tea bushes are the most common sight in the hill country of Sri Lanka. The misty and cool climate with greenery surrounding is so inviting for a walk alone on these long stretched tea plantations.
We found some plants and flowers unique to the place on our way and small streams flowing through rocks. The view was amazing with every turn of the curvy roads.
We walk through the Thotagala tea plantation adjoining the estate is Damatenne, the most famous estate in Haputhale. The Damabatenna Tea garden was owned and enjoyed by Sir Thomas Lipton for over forty years of period. He loved the place. It inspired him.
The legend has it that it brought him immense pleasure to entertain his guests at picnics and also to contemplate nature's bounty and the prospects of the future at "Lipton's Seat" at the summit of his plantation.
Perched perilously at the edge of a sheer descent of nearly 5000 feet and offering a 360-degree view, surely the scenic beauty of Lipton Seat" is one of the world's most breathtaking.
Taking a photo sitting next to the same favorite spot Mr. Lipton's seat statue consider the most memorable souvenir for the visitors to his spectacular estate.
When we reach the place it was almost covered with mist and a few minutes later cleared for a panoramic view. From this point, the view extends to five provinces and clearly sees some of the landmarks of these provinces on a clear sunny day.
Sir Thomas Lipton was equally inspired by the rich aroma and flavor of the tea manufactured at the Dambatenne factory. Sir Thomas is no more but the aroma and flavor of Dambatenne tea linger on.
The tea pluckers with colorful sarees with a basket hanging behind them picking tea leaves in the estates are a very common sight in the area. The tea pluckers were originally brought from India for cheap wages and still leads very poor life with their low income. They are very hard working it is very interesting to see their fingers moving fast to pick the tender tea leaves.
The tea processing at the Dambatenne factory was quite an experience. The instructor explains every step of the process showing his experience and knowledge of the field of tea.
In the evening the tea baskets are collected by the collecting centers and go straight to the factory for the manufacturing process. The process takes place for a few days with different steps. The first stage of Tea Manufacture is withering. The most obvious change during the process of withering is the leaf becoming flaccid. Other chemical changes occur within the leaf cells increasing the Amino Acid. Flavour Compounds and Caffeine.
The rolling is the next step, the purpose of rolling is primarily to break up the leaf cells or compartments and to mix up the chemical components of the leaves with the enzymes. Next step fermenting, the breaking of cells causing the mixing up of the enzymes with the other chemical compounds (Oxidation of Polyphenois).
The process of firing removes most of the leaf moisture and stops fermentation by destroying the enzymes.
Grading is the separation of made tea, particles into various shapes and sizes in conformity with trade requirements. Example PEKOE, B.O.P, B.O.P.F., DUST 01, FGS 01, BP, DUST.
Packing and dispatching of tea is the last stage of the process. packing of tea to ensure that all desirable characteristics of tea are preserved.
To sip a warm cup of tea is a real treat on the cold misty evening amidst the stunning view.
Once again, the April holiday is when we normally travel in the year. This time our visit is to the central province of Sri Lanka where most part of the history is written. We set off early in the morning, paddy fields beside the road are a significant sight in the area. Once in a while view of a small mountain, a Dagaba, and a Buddha statue change the sight along the way. The dry wind mixed with dust blew with the warmth of the hot sun. The travelers enjoy the break by sipping tea in small tea cafes with local short eats or, king coconut water to get relief from thirst. The fruit stalls and vegetable stalls displayed the fresh harvest from villagers to be sold beside the road.
After nearly four hours of drive, we reached our rest near the famous town Sigiriya. We stayed in a guesthouse at the sight of the famous Sigiriya Rock fortress. The guesthouse was surrounded by a paddy field and the pool was set in the middle of the paddy field. The air mixed with the smell of wild marshy land. The rock view through the rooftop of the open restaurant. The restaurant was made creatively and unique to Sri Lanka style with wood and a roof covered with dry coconut leaves to go along with nature.
Sigiriya is located 175 km North-East of Colombo via Ambepussa Kurunagala, Trincomalee road, Dambulla or Habarana town to Sigiriya. The Rock Fortress is 10 minutes drive from where we stay. First, we brought the ticket from the counter at the entrance. For locals the ticket is Rs. 50 for foreigners USD 30. The ancient site is open for visitors from 7.00 am to 5.30 pm. The visitors advised climbing the rock in the morning or evening to avoid the discomfort of the hot sun and the burning stone steps.
The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. The site was selected by King Kashayapa for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of the rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure Sinhagiri means "Lion Rock".
The ponds, and fountains, we meet before the rock fortress are few remains evidence of the once beautiful royal garden. The water garden, moats, and ramparts are based on an echo plan duplicating the layout and design on either side. The gentle breeze, calm, and quiet surroundings blessed with a sensation of relaxation.
The distance view of the rock stands solemnly in the middle of the forest evidence once a glorious era of the luxurious kingdom. We walked through the path and took a few steps running through a cave to an open area. Here is the grand entrance with two enormous lion paws. The rock's most elegant and significant feature is the lion staircase leading to the palace garden on the summit. According to historians and the ideas described in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualized as a gigantic figure towering majestically against the granite cliff, facing north, bright-colored, and awe-inspiring.
We climb through the narrow steep stairs running crisscross on the rock. The staircase is built of bricks and timber and has a tiled roof. All that remains now are the two colossal paws and a mass of brick masonry that surround the ancient limestone steps, and the cuts and groves on the rock face give an idea of the size and shape of the lion figure.
The joy and excitement are filled with every step on the windy stairs, and breathtaking sight with every turns you made. Everyone's face shows curiosity to know what is waiting for them to see on the top. The site is crowded with locals and foreign tourists to explore the wonder of this amazing place. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site. Sri Lanka's ancient architecture is well portrayed in Sigiriya, the best-preserved city center in Asia from the first millennium with a combination of buildings and gardens. Sophisticated city planning was at the heart of Sigiriya, this royal citadel of ancient fame in the days of Sri Lanka's memorable past.
We walked through the ruins of the palace and stumbled upon the summit's large pool. Imagination flowed across my mind of a grand and elegant palace with luxurious comfort surrounded by the stunning view of lush green jungle melding with the blue horizon seemed endless. The story hides behind the very inch of these remaining ruins of the palace. King Kashyapa built this as a safe palace to hide from his half brother who wait for revenge for killing their father over a dispute of the kingship. Sigiriya being a fortress, had been well designed for its defenses by having ramparts and moats built around it. From the summit of the rock, the land areas up to distances of tens of miles can be watched making it hard for the enemy to make an attack on the kingdom.
The Palace garden on the summit was the domestic garden with its terraced and rock-cut pools. The dip in it like the ancient royals once did would have been tempting. From high above, the water garden system below was clear, perfectly centered, and impressively aligned.
The fresh air and breathtaking view made us relax on the top. after clicking the camera to take some photos of this amazing place we set back to go down. It was an easy hike, with a well-marked trail and manageable stairs. A few steps downwards the exit to the spiral iron staircase leads to an aesthetic exposure to the ancient kingdom. The Mirror Wall Sigiriya is now stained in hues of orange. When it was built by King Kashyapa over 1600 years ago it was a highly polished white masonry parapet wall. The travelers were inspired by the wonder they saw, they transferred their thoughts into poetry, and wrote on the wall.
The most renowned are the Sigiriya Rock Paintings or Frescoes believed to be queens and concubines of the king. The paintings would have covered most of the western face of the rock, covering an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. The real history, emotions, and glamour of those who lived in this amazing kingdom were hidden behind the paintings, and graffiti still unraveled.
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