
Next stop was Nuwara Eliya itself which although known as Little England, bears little resemblance to real England. The few similarities include a large park with children's play area, a golf course and a number of buildings such as the Post Office and Bank that resemble building's from Noddy's Toy Town.
Our hotel was called the Grosvenor but once more bore no resemblance to the Grosvenor Hotel we know in London. This Grosvenor was a rather shabby and run down old Colonial building with dark rooms with dark furniture and an old hunting lodge feel about it - not that I have ever been hunting and never will! I felt like I was staying in a real life Cluedo game and that any minute Colonel Mustard would emerge from the Dining Room with the lead piping!
In contrast to the hotel, we decided to eat at a road side cafe that was cooking food in the open air and the dining tables and chairs were located in tents. We opted to sit in a small dome tent that was big enough for the 4 of us although John did have to sit with his head outside the tent netting. We eat noodles and stir fried vegetables . It felt like being at a festival. Even more so as whilst we eat, a relihious procession with musicians and floats passed by although we had no idea what this symbolised.
What a day of contrasts from Tea to Colonialism to Festival eating to Toy Town to Buddhist celebrations. These contrasts sum up Sri Lanka.
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