Travel Tips | Sri Lanka Tea & Noritake

Am sure most people would want to know about this... heheheehehee...

This will be my last entry for this trip as I realized I depart at dawn on the 4th day. 

I think I will share 2 things that a few people have been asking me of ie (1) Sri Lanka Tea & (2) Noritake product (Factory Outlet).

Sri Lanka entries :

Day 1a | Missed AA Flight, Repurchase Sri Lankan Airlines

Day 1b | Pinnawala - Elephant Orphanage
Day 1c | Sri Lanka Beedi Cigarette & Giritale Sunset
Day 2a | Giritale Hotel And Environ 
Day 2b | Parakrama Samudra & Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO)
Day 2c | Ancient City of Sigiriya & King Coconut (UNESCO)
Day 2d | Dambulla Cave Temple & Kandy at Sunset

Hotel Review | Richmond House Kandy, Sri Lanka

RED BANANA of Sri Lanka

I know some people would have pending question on the usage of bone China, am no expert hence I am sharing you the links below and I will be ever so grateful for any advice or sharing. Feel free to share any links in the comment column, I will try to include it below.

Other info

- Bone China via Wikipedia

- Noritake via Wikipedia

- Noritake via Noritake

- Bone China via Al-Qayyim

- Bone China via Tanya Ustaz

Somehow I can't access the e-fatwa site... perhaps I will include the link in the morning.

This Noritake shop is not a planned trip, how it happened was that I saw the directional signage few km before the factory outlet; thus enquire it to my tour guide cum driver. He told me that there is factory outlet in Sri Lanka and that we can get fatcory outlet price here.

Wahhhh!!! The curious cat in me obviously wanted to check it out. Wouldn't you want to know the options and price right?

In I go.... it's basically a very small (the showroom), and you can walk to the back/storage area to check out the design and stock available. Bear in mind that you might not get the whole full set of the design you like... Begger can not be chooser kan??! Please redho ok!

The options offer are not that bad from what I see (but tak cukup untuk set jek ler... maka sila simpan angan-angan mu untuk memiliki berset-set dengan harga yang murah). The cost are all in USD, and  yes! Credit Card is accepted.

The one stored in the room are of nicer design... all those floral, sweet, dainty type.... pompuan suka ler kot kan.

The one display at the showroom are sold in a set. I think (failed to ask ler tuh) it is of previous or an old model/design.

The price stated there, no further discount given. 

You can also get loose item... the range is between USD3-10 depending on the size etc. It can be more I think.... ehheheh... terlupo.

They will do proper wrapping too I noticed. So, rest assure that you purchases are well taken care of. 

Need I say more...  

Sri Lanka Tea - Mesna

The tea.... delicious! Seriously!! But to be fair, am not a coffee drinker so tea is me!

Yeah, you can have your tea at the showroom/shop as well.

The caramel tea is the bestest! Regretted buying too few... who will be going soon? Tumpang order leh?

This is new to me, flavoured green tea?



Travel Tips | Sri Lanka - Scenic Train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

This is what I plan to go and do in my next Sri Lanka trip of which I have no idea when will this ever materialise, but to hope is good right?!

Sri Lanka's scenic train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya!

Was at #Selangorlicious event last night and chatted with Azuan on his future trip to Sri Lanka (apaprently after he saw my entry of this country, eh... betul ke?). He said he will be covering southern part of Sri Lanka as mine was centre of Sri Lanka. Azuan also mentioned that he will not be covering Kandy. Huh!!! But whyyyyyyy....? It's so beautiful and cold (ehhehehheh.... baru rasa cam oversea sikit).

Courtesy of Heritage Tours In Sri Lanka

I told him about this scenic route that one must do if ever to visit Kandy. Oh! I did not cover this route and all this pictures are from Mr. Google and I will hyperlink to the rightful owner (if tetiba tak bergambo, makna nye owner suruh remove ler tuh tau).

Since I have yet to try this route and heard so much of it, and as I dont have much info nor experience, I will share details that I think and feel will benefit you.

Hope you will share your experience with me instead.

Courtesy of Virtual Tourist

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya : 78km, 2-2.5 hours per/way by car or scenic train, 3.5 hours (the nearest station is Nanu Oya, 9km away)

From Seat61:
You can check train times using the official Sri Lanka Railways website, www.railway.gov.lk, but please check all times locally.

Nuwara Eliya - Nanu Oya is 6 km from central Nuwara Eliya, with plenty of taxis and auto-rickshaws available.  It's also possible to walk.

Kandy - Peradeniya Junction is only 6km (3½ miles) from central Kandy, easily reached by taxi or tuk-tuk.  It can be used to join trains to Hatton, Nanu Oya, Elle & Badulla that don't call at Kandy.

Courtesy of Sri Lanka Gallery

As on where and what to do in both cities, you can ask Mr. Google as the options are at abundance. But what most people are unaware are the scenic train ride and probably miss one of the greatest experience in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka entries :

Day 1a | Missed AA Flight, Repurchase Sri Lankan Airlines

Day 1b | Pinnawala - Elephant Orphanage
Day 1c | Sri Lanka Beedi Cigarette & Giritale Sunset
Day 2a | Giritale Hotel And Environ 
Day 2b | Parakrama Samudra & Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO)
Day 2c | Ancient City of Sigiriya & King Coconut (UNESCO)
Day 2d | Dambulla Cave Temple & Kandy at Sunset

Hotel Review | Richmond House Kandy, Sri Lanka

RED BANANA of Sri Lanka

Hotel Review | Richmond House Kandy, Sri Lanka

For those visiting Sri Lanka and planning to stay in Kandy, and looking for a quiet, cosy, quaint and friendly accommodation; this would be an ideal place.

Sri Lanka entries :

Day 1a | Missed AA Flight, Repurchase Sri Lankan Airlines

Day 1b | Pinnawala - Elephant Orphanage
Day 1c | Sri Lanka Beedi Cigarette & Giritale Sunset
Day 2a | Giritale Hotel And Environ 
Day 2b | Parakrama Samudra & Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO)
Day 2c | Ancient City of Sigiriya & King Coconut (UNESCO)
Day 2d | Dambulla Cave Temple & Kandy at Sunset 

I stayed for 1 night here and regretted till this date. 

For one, I arrived at night around 9ish when the whole view was pitch black, to make matter worse; we almost got lost! Minimal street light to a point I thought the driver was going to sell me to some mobster or something (yeah yeah.... very drama of me, but I WAS panic then okay! Hehehhee...) in this semi jungle (it wasn't even close to a jungle), my imagination runs wild as usual.

So, upon arrival I was clearly fascinated of the guesthouse. Makes all the anger of getting lost, no street sign, no street light seems so minute - you will get to see the pictures later lar.

After checking into my princess room (felt like one!), surfing some net, I went to bed (what else for me to do right?!?! Semi jungle feel, remember!). The next morning, I woke to the below view and did my round of this guesthouse. This is when I start regretting staying for one night!

Hope you enjoy them pictures :)

THE RICHMOND HOUSE KANDY
195/56, Richmond Hill Place
Heeraslagala, Kandy
Sri Lanka

Tel : +94-81-2218495
Email : info@therichmondhousekandy.com

Sunrise view from my room

Yes!!!! Cold/chilly Kandy!! 

  

Entrance to the house 

This is rather steep and slippery went wet  

Waiting/lobby area 

Dining area (love the dining table)

View from my floor 

My princess ROOM!

The balcony for afternoon tea 

Yes! FREE WiFi

This is where you park you car/van... kinda scary huh! 

THE RICHMOND HOUSE KANDY
195/56, Richmond Hill Place
Heeraslagala, Kandy
Sri Lanka

Tel : +94-81-2218495
Email : info@therichmondhousekandy.com

Day 2d | Dambulla Cave Temple & Kandy at Sunset

I just realised I still have pendign Sri Lanka entries that I need to complete, hehhehehhee.... notty me heh!

Sri Lanka entries :

Day 1a | Missed AA Flight, Repurchase Sri Lankan Airlines

Day 1b | Pinnawala - Elephant Orphanage
Day 1c | Sri Lanka Beedi Cigarette & Giritale Sunset
Day 2a | Giritale Hotel And Environ 
Day 2b | Parakrama Samudra & Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO)
Day 2c | Ancient City of Sigiriya & King Coconut (UNESCO)



As you can see, we covered miles and attractions on Day 2 (hence I grew abit tired blogging about it, sampai part 2a, b, c, d tuh). So, let's continue...

We stop over at Dambulla Cave Temple, however; I did not manage to go ii as we were press for time. We snapped a few pics outside (ambek syarat orang kata).

From Wikipedia

Dambulla cave temple (Sinhala: දඹුලු ලෙන් විහාරය dam̆būlū len vihāraya, Tamil: தம்புள்ளை பொற்கோவில் tampuḷḷai poṟkōvil) also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include two statues of Hindu gods, the god Vishnu and the god Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.

Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave complexes.

LCOKED ok!

We reach Kandy in the evening, enough time to catch their culture show by the lake, there's way to many pics to share thus I shall only share this few. The highlight was the Fire-Eating performance. 

  

Asking for blessing before the performance.

The show start with simple act. 

Fire-tasting part. 

Fire-eating... 

This is THE Kandy lake..... Sumpah cantek!

Will share more stories on Kandy tomorrow...



RED BANANA of Sri Lanka

First, jangan fikir serong. Haahahahahha....

I don't plan to give you guys a lesson on banana, not to worry. However, this was my first experience seeing and eating a red banana. You heard me alright, RED BANANA. Experienced this during my trip to Sri Lanka. Figure I should must blog about this (minus boring you to death on banana origin, history etc etc etc...).

I have been harping at the driver cum guide on red banana (a must see and eat apparently), he kept delaying it... Until we reached Kandy, thats when I found out that it is a native fruit for Kandy. Rupanyee.... (Yeah, am yet to blog on Kandy, will be doing so in a few days time).

Red banana versus green banana

I also found out that Kandy's weather suits the growth of red banana thus explain why I could not get it in those places I passed by. Hemm...

Konon-konon photoshot canggih lah. Padahal idak pung...

So, little ignorant me decide to buy one to taste and guess what.....

The fruit looks the same as other banana, and tasted the same as other banana's which is to my dissapointment, however some says it's sweeter. Oh well...

After reading here and there, I found out that the redder the banana is, the more carotene and vitamin C level tends to be higher too.

Tah dah..... RED BANANA versus GREEN BANANA versus YELLOW BANANA.