Day 10 A walk around Horton Plains, train ride to Ella then onwards to Kataragama by bus

Last night we had another Fawlty Towers evening, this time we realised that our room door didn't lock, added to the fact that the safe wouldn't lock! Luckily we were able to put our valuables in another of our group members safe, but they never managed to fix the door. 

We left the hotel at  6 a.m in minibuses as the roads are far too steep and windy for our coach driving for around  1 hour 30 minutes to Horton Plains National Park.

We followed a circular route of about 9k, the air was cool and clean, there were lots of trees with lichen to prove it!

First stop was mini world's end with some lovely views, before the clouds roll in in a few hours.

Along our walk we saw Dusky squirrels 

A horned nose lizzard

And some very vocal frogs

Then onto World's end

Baker Falls

After the walk we drove on to the Yummy hotel for a homemade traditional lunch which included vegetable rolls, and coconut pancakes. We went into the house to use their facilities. It was very interesting to see inside a typical home. Their garden and crops were beautifully laid out.

Back into the minibuses (it was very bouncy in the back!) for some more hair pin bends

Waited at a crossing for a train to go past

A group of school children waiting for their bus home, all school children in Sri Lanka wear white uniforms

We met our bus and drove on to the train station at Badula Station

The train journey took around 45 minutes, passing over a 9 arch viaduct as we approached our stop at Ella. Los of tourists gather daily to watch the train go over the viaduct.

Where we were met by our bus for the 2.30 hour drive to our next hotel on the outskirts of Yala National Park. We are now back to much warmer climes.

After dinner we headed for an early night as 5 of us have opted to do an early morning game drive tomorrow so we're being picked up in a jeep at 5.15 a.m!