Colombo

It was a 10 hour train ride from Ella to Colombo (the capital) of Sri Lanka.  We booked a first class ticket - $15US per person.  The seats were comfortable but heavily stained, the old air conditioner was still hanging - barely - from the ceiling but a newer  version was trying to keep our car cool, parts of the interior wall was cracked and broken and the fluorescent light above us was on the blink and so was flashing the whole time - yes this was first class.  As some young female med students told us that in Sri Lanka first class is the only way to travel.  I cannot imagine what the other coaches would be like.  We did get 2 curry meals that were good.  The other disconcerting part of the trip was the swaying of the train - at times violently.  I do know how the train stayed on the tracks - especially when we rode over the mountain passes with km long drop offs.  But the scenery was stunning.

Hanging out of the observation deck of our train.

every mountain is covered in tea plants

tea pickers 

We are riding up in the clouds