February 25, 2019
On the hike down from Adam’s Peak we debated getting a taxi to Ella vs. taking the train. A taxi was more expensive (around $50) but would be quick and comfortable (AC! Seats!), and we were tired from the early morning hike. However, the train ride through tea country has been called the “highlight of the trip” by my sister who’s done it and nearly every blog I’ve read on it. So we decided to brave the rickety, jostley bus ride to the train station and fight for seats again to see what the hubbub was all about. After the hike we hurried to finish our breakfast and pack, making the 9:00 am bus in an attempt to catch the first train out. During a hurried and random bus transfer in the middle of the ride, we sadly left our small compressible backpack of snacks. Hopefully we’ll pick up a replacement at the Decathlon store in Delhi.
On the hike down from Adam’s Peak we debated getting a taxi to Ella vs. taking the train. A taxi was more expensive (around $50) but would be quick and comfortable (AC! Seats!), and we were tired from the early morning hike. However, the train ride through tea country has been called the “highlight of the trip” by my sister who’s done it and nearly every blog I’ve read on it. So we decided to brave the rickety, jostley bus ride to the train station and fight for seats again to see what the hubbub was all about. After the hike we hurried to finish our breakfast and pack, making the 9:00 am bus in an attempt to catch the first train out. During a hurried and random bus transfer in the middle of the ride, we sadly left our small compressible backpack of snacks. Hopefully we’ll pick up a replacement at the Decathlon store in Delhi.
We arrived at 10:30 in Hatton for the 11:15 am train to Ella, catching a tuk-tuk the short distance to the train station to save time and our aching calves. We knew that it would be a lot harder to get seats this time around since it wasn’t a terminal station, so after picking up more snacks in the train station we stood ready to jump on as the train approached but without luck. Serious consolation prize, though: we ended up getting seats in the doorway, with our legs dangling out the train car and incredible views. It really is a magical train journey. With my recent history being ejected from the bunk on the bus, I have to admit I was a little nervous as the stakes are a bit higher if you’re chucked from a moving train, but happy to report I was able to stay mostly inside the vehicle the whole time. The journey took us past workers picking tea and uphill into a cloud forest at 5000ft altitude, then back down to our final destination in Ella. Sitting on the floor was a little uncomfortable for the 5 hour train ride, but in the end so worth it.
We got to Ella around 4:30 pm, happy to eat dinner and collapse into bed after a long day.
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| Tea wallah! |
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