Sunday 10th November 2024

We woke up to beautiful sunshine at Sky Heaven this morning, and after a great breakfast, Krishan took us to the entrance of Lake Gregory. We had a look round the market stalls there, then proceeded to walk round a section of the lake, being accosted by boatmen every few seconds, desperate for you to choose them to take you out onto the lake. We didn't want a boat ride, so we moved onto a higher path in order to avoid them, and continued on our way.

The last time I walked around Lake Gregory, it was a very dull, overcast day, but today was a delightful contrast to that, and we greatly enjoyed it, stopping off for a coffee on the way back, before getting a tuk-tuk to Victoria Park, which also proved to be a wonderful place to enjoy the morning sunshine. We went for a short break at The Grand Hotel, where we briefly met Huey Yun, one of Tea Leaf's volunteers from Malaysia, who had spotted me in Nuwara Eliya and messaged me.

Krishan picked us up from The Grand Hotel, where we said a final goodbye to Kamal Raj and Sajeevan, taking us to Shanthipura, where we were having lunch with Sutharshan, Jesmin, and their lovely daughter Adhira. This proved to be the highlight of our day, as it was just such a pleasure to spend time with them as a family. Jesmin had made a delicious lunch, and we just enjoyed catching up with them about what was happening with Tea Leaf at the moment.

Sutharshan took us on a short walk to where the old viewpoint that was there, due to Shanthipura being the highest village in Sri Lanka, is now being replaced by a newly constructed one, which will be very impressive once it is completed. The views from the top were lovely, looking down over Nuwara Eliya, although it was becoming a little overcast by then, so we couldn't see Adam's Peak in the distance, as you normally would. It was a very special time for us both.

We took so many photographs today, so there are a couple showing the magnificent views from Sky Heaven, plus a few from Lake Gregory, Victoria Park, and our very special time with Sutharshan, Jesmin, and Adhira.











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