5,291 feet PASSENGERS for Nuwara Eliya leave the main line trains at Nanuoya Nanuoya and proceed by the narrow-gauge line which passes through Nuwara Eliya to the district of Udapussellawa. The pass by which Nuwara Eliya is reached is one of the most exquisite things in Ceylon. In traversing its length the line makes a further ascent of one thousand feet in six miles. The curves and windings necessary to accomplish this are the most intricate on the whole railway, and frequently have a radius of only eighty feet. On the right side of a deep mountain gorge we ascend amongst the tea bushes of Edinburgh estate, and at length emerge upon a road, which the line shares with the cart traffic for about a mile. In the depths of the defile flows the Nanuoya river, foaming amongst huge boulders of rock that have descended from the sides of the mountains, and bordered by tree ferns innumerable and brilliant trees of the primeval forest which entirely clothe the face of the heights. In this land of no seasons their stages of growth are denoted by the varying tints of scarlet, gold, crimson, sallow green, and, most striking of all, a rich claret colour, the chief glory of the keena tree. Here is no leafless winter, although we have reached an altitude where frost is not unknown. None of the plants are deciduous. In such a climate, however, with bright, warm and sunny days following on chilly nights, the lovely ferns which sometimes in the early Udapussellawa Line Udapussellawa Line Nuwara Eliya 6,198 feet Local accommodation morn look pitiable with their blackened fronds soon recover their wonted hues. In plate 149 we see one of the sharp curves of the railway to which we have referred, and in plate 148 we see the road and railway together. At Blackpool the railway leaves the cart road and enters an enchanting glen embellished with pools and bordered by receding hills down whose slopes the waters of twin cataracts are dashing in headlong course. Blackpool is the site for the new station for the electric lighting of Nuwara Eliya, the falls of the Nanuoya stream being used to give the necessary power. We cross the waters where they reach the glen, and passing through a deep cutting come out upon the plain of Nuwara Eliya, which the railway crosses, reaching the station on the eastern side. NUWARA ELIYA (6m. 45c.) is well equipped with hotels and boarding-houses. The Grand Hotel is in a central position on the west side of the plain overlooking the golf links and public gardens; the New Keena Hotel, on the same side, is near the United Club, croquet and tennis grounds, and the race-course; the Grand Central Hotel, near the golf links, and the St. Andrews Hotel, well situated at the north end of the plain, command a fine view of the whole station. Amongst boarding-houses, Carlton House will be found both cheap and comfortable, especially for families with children: it is a favourite resort for planters' families who want a change. In addition to the accommodation thus afforded, furnished bungalows for families making a prolonged visit are usually available. There is probably no other place in the world that possesses such a remarkable combination of attractions as Nuwara Eliya. This fact should be noted not only by the large army of wanderers who annually flee from the rigours of winter in northern latitudes, but also by the enfeebled residents of the Indian plains, for whom this unique retreat with its health-giving properties should have an irresistible attraction. Nuwara Eliya has a special recommendation which gives it the palm over all other health resorts. Here we can enjoy the purest and most invigorating air, with a temperature best suited to the health of Europeans, and yet behold a luxuriant tropical country at our feet. We can experience the change from a glorious bright day to a cold Scotch mist, and yet, if we choose, we can leave the moist atmosphere and leaden sky at will, and by an hour's drive reach dry hills and sunny plains. Year by year Nuwara Eliya is becoming more popular as a winter resort for English people who wish to avoid the vagaries and trials of an English winter. The journey is simplicity itself, and only involves stepping into a steamer at London, Southampton, or Liverpool and stepping off again at Colombo. The cost is moderate, and there is a varied choice |