SP SRI LANKA OCIP DAY 13 (REST & RELAXATION)

The team had breakfast at Kandy Hilltop Hotel and left for Mackwoods Tea Plantation at 8am.

It was a long and winding drive up the mountain, where the tea plantations are located. Even though the scenery was breathtaking, we got restless and stopped by a strawberry farm for a short break. The strawberries were delicious!

The strawberry farm.

At Mackwoods, we managed to get a short tour of the tea processing plant and to learn more about the different types of tea available.

The entrance of Mackwoods Tea Plantation.

Throughout the tour, we realized that although tea-picking was one of the most laborious jobs on the plantation, the workers do not get as much recognition as the tour guides do. Their effort often goes unnoticed to most who visit the plantation. Also, the tour guide was informative and we felt that it would be more interesting if we could try our hand at tea-picking.

Outside Mackwoods Tea Centre.

Drying of tea leaves.

The rolling of processed tea.

Various tea leaves displayed in cups.

After the tour, we spent some time at the tea shop to purchase some tea. 

From left to right: Firdaus, Khai, Hadi with their tea purchase.

We then left the tea plantation and headed for Adam's Peak. The journey took up the remainder of the day and a whole morning spent travelling on the long winding roads of the mountains was enough to make anybody restless. Nevertheless, most of us managed to take naps to conserve energy for the climb.

The scenery from the hill.

Along the way, we stopped for a toilet break. The girls were looking for a toilet among the houses and accidentally went into a cowshed, much to the amusement of everyone else. Thankfully, a kind villager agreed to let the girls use their toilet. However, the guys had to answer nature's call near the tea bushes. After that little misadventure, it was back on the bus for all of us and we continued the long journey to Adam's Peak.

We arrived at the Wathsala Inn just before sunset and had great Chicken Fried Rice. As night fell, it started getting cold and everybody started putting on their jackets. We waited till about 10pm before setting out for the foot of Sri Pada. We were told that there were 4800 steps from the foot to the peak!

The team having dinner at the Inn.

The pathway towards the peak guided by lighting.

On the way up we had many locals, from young children to aged folks, overtaking us. Most of them wore only slippers on their feet, some even barefooted. We were shocked, seeing all of us bundled up in sweaters and jackets and wearing covered shoes. We were amazed with the speed with which they ascended the steep mountain and how strong they were to withstand the cold without any proper footwear. We soon found out that this climb was considered a pilgrimage to them, instead of an attraction. They would make the tiring climb just to reach the monastery at the peak to offer prayers.

The team on the stairway.

The team taking a break at a pit stop.

Towards the peak, we realised that some parts of the pathway were either broken off or uneven, which brought inconvenience to us. Despite that, it made us wonder how the pilgrims made it to the ascend before the concrete steps were made. Those who reached the peak earlier started to rest and had to withstand extremely cold winds at the peak.

People who have reached the peak, waiting for sunrise.

After the ascend, we learnt that one must marvel at their effort, patience and will to finish the climb in nothing more than slippers, with or without concrete steps.

(To be continued..)

Reflection by Andro.