Ashburnham Tea Estate was a hastily made up plan as Jo was feeling a bit crook. It meant we could stay in the Knuckles Ranges although our planned trek in the area was off. So glad we did it this way! This was old Ceylon in the 1930s, a bungalow built for the big wig of the plantation. It is now a working tea estate, 98 acres, an idyllic retreat with its own waterfall. This is where I came to a new understanding of what goes in to get the tea from the bush to my cup and it was a life lesson that will make me think with every pot of tea I drink! Thanks to Mr Chandima the manager at Ashburnham we were guided as we watched the pickers, saw them carry the bags of leaves they had picked and weigh them. Next it's off to the local tea factory where we went to see the process in action. After that it will be sent to Colombo to be auctioned off. Walks around the rolling hillsides with beautifully manicured tea trees with amazing views and gazing out from the terrace where we ate meals was unforgettable. |