The island nation of Sri Lanka is perhaps better known to tea lovers as Ceylon. Before the rust blight of 1869, Ceylon was known for its coffee plantations. Commercial tea production had only just begun. The decimated coffee estates made the perfect foundation for propagating tea and before long Sri Lanka was producing large amounts of tea that made its way across the globe. In 1867, James Taylor pioneered tea development and production there, with the first tea being sold in 1872. The Ceylon Tea Museum in Hatane displays many of Taylor’s original tea-making implements. Thomas Lipton also first made his tea base there and we all know how that story turned out.
In those early days, the natural environment, still one of Sri Lanka’s sources of pride, was even denser and expeditions through the jungles to find suitable planting areas or make surveys for future roads were activities for only the brave as well as industrious. Though there is a nice system of roads through most of the country now, there are still a number of places where one can be “a little closer to nature.”
On a recent World Tea Tours’ Tea Tour of India, we first enjoyed a visit to the “Resplendent Isle” to learn about her teas, but also to experience both the human and natural culture. The bustling city of Colombo is as restless as any other major city. Our hotel, Mt. Lavinia, was a pleasant hour’s drive down the coast and overlooked the magnificent Indian Ocean. Its own private beach was the setting for some fun in the surf as well as a meal of freshly caught and prepared seafood. In the days that followed, we visited the tea gardens of Kandy (Sri Lanka’s ancient capital) and Nuwara Eliya, tasting dozens of wonderful teas. We visited cultural heritage sites, had a spice massage, saw sapphires refined, gorged on succulent pineapple, and saw a colorful performance of native song and dance, including fire walkers / eaters. But perhaps the most special experience was visiting the Uda Walawe Nature Reserve.
An open-topped Jeep safari is the only way to really enjoy the beauty of this wildlife sanctuary. It is famous for elephants, leopards, crocodiles, deer, and dozens of species of birds. An all-day affair, our guided trek brought us up close and personal with many of the park’s residents. At one point, we held our breath (out of excitement and perhaps a little fear) when a large female elephant approached our vehicle in a show of authority. As she trumpeted a number of times that we were “trespassing on her property,” we held still and silent until she felt we had been sufficiently admonished. Of course, I failed to record the encounter on my video camera (user error), but I do have several witnesses.
With the sun high in the noon sky, we stopped to stretch as well as enjoy our picnic lunch. The spot for our meal was none other than the watering pool, where the animals come to quench their thirst. Fittingly, we did so too, but with freshly made tea along with finger sandwiches, fruit, and pastries. Tea on the Savannah. Life just couldn’t get any better. Even our experienced guide, Mithra, had never before seen such a thing. “You really love tea,” I think I remember him saying. The smiles on our faces confirmed his remark.
This October, World Tea Tours will again visit Sri Lanka on the Tea Tour of India 2012. Again we will visit a number of verdant tea estates in the main tea-growing areas, pick and make our own teas, taste dozens of fabulous teas, and experience the vibrant and rich culture and many other sights. I wonder if we’ll have a reunion with that same elephant and if she will remember her old visitors. Perhaps we’ll make some new “wild friends.” How about crumpets with a crocodile this time, or maybe petits fours with a flamingo?
What a fabulous tour. I wish I was free to join you in the fall. You’re on my bucket list Dan – to join you on one of your amazing tours.
I hear that Lipton chose to fill his tea bag with “tiny little tea leaves” that were actually fannings/dust? Is that true? Why would he not have considered quality instead of price?
Thanks Michelle. That tour was great and the one in October will be even better – though I can’t promise another charging elephant. Tea lover of all levels have a great time and even seasoned tea professionals learn a lot. They come back with knowledge they can really put into practice in their tea businesses. It’s hard to say why Lipton did what he did but he was known in the grocery industry for the “pile ’em high and sell ’em cheap” style.
Dan, your encounter with the elephant reminded me of my elephant ride in Jaipur, India, at the Amber Fort. The elephants in Jaipur are all tamed of course.
Hi Ifang. We’ll do the elephant ride (camels too) in Jaipur this time. We actually rode some work elephants in Assam a few years back. Lots of rockin’ and rollin’. Fun too. I’ll put a post on the World Tea Tours FB page for those who wish to see.
Hey Dan, this feels like so long ago now. Wish we could have spent more time on the island and wish I could come with you on the 2012 trip, but not to be. Sri Lanka is an amazing place! Have a great trip this year!
Hi Dan, sounded like you had a great trip! Was wondering if I could find out more about your India trip in October – could I join even if I was coming from Singapore?
Hi Melanie: I’m glad you are interested in the Tea Tour of India. Happily, there are still a few places open. Of course you can join. Tour members come from all over the world. Everyone flies from their home and we meet in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Please send me your email address and I’ll forward the information to you directly. Info@worldteatours.com.
Dan, I actually prefer seeing elephants in the wild to riding elephants. I enjoyed the ride in Jaipur as it was scenic.