Gilpin observer., 1912-10-10
d51Es5T M0GX U1NsEEW @NoW

are rice fields terraced on the slopes
like the vineyards of Italy.
The train stops at a station. Near
by are bullock carts loaded with
punches of bananas; natives on the
platforms offer bananas for sale and
oranges which are ripe though
bright green.
Soon mountain peaks appear. You
see them through a waving mass of
palms, cocoanuts. arecanuts and tall
pots in flower.
AS we ascend the hills we look
down on valley filled with rice
fields. Hundreds of terraces filled
with water CLEAN like irregular silver
steps leading up the mountainsides.
A vast green world spreads before
us, shut in by lofty ranges.
Where the red soil appears on the
slopes are tea gardens. cocoa and
coffee plantations. Gray rocks jut out
amidst the waving jungle grass. The
scene grows wilder A crenellated
summit standing out against vast
white cloud looks like ruined castle.
Some halfnaked men grouped in front
of hut matched with palm leaves.
their long hair hanging over their
shoulders, have a wild and almost
terrifying appearance.
Alagala peak, $500 feet high. comes
into view: it was from this precipi-
tous summit that the last king OF
Handy hurled the prisoners taken ir
battle.
Through the broad leaves Of the wild
banana you see the mountain carriage
road passing through a sort Of cave
or hole cut in spur Of the mountain
side. A native tradition was that the
Kandyan country would be conquered
by invaders who came through rock.
Tunnel Through Rock.
and when the road was built for mill
tary purposes this rock was purposely
tunneled that the natives might be
awed by the fulfillment of the proph.
ecy.
Along the banks of rock-strewn
mountain rivers, along hillsides GOV.
cred with jungle. through cacao and
rubber plantations the train comes to
Handy, the popular hill resort of the
merchants in Colombo and of the low
country planters.
Here we are 1000 feet above the
sea; Nuwara Eliya is nearly 5000
feet higher still up the mountains.
AS the train ascends we find our
selves passing through region de-
voted to tea gardens. 1t is the very
center of the industry. We have left
behind us the tropical scenery. From
the carriage window we no longer see
palms or bamboos or the brilliant
green of the rice fields The views
grow more and more enchanting.
There is glimpse of the distant In
dian ocean. a vision of Adams peak.
the famous mountain of pilgrimage.
A waterfall dashes down the noun
tainside up which we crawl in amaz-
ing curves. Through a forest the
train comes to Nuwara Eliya. the
chief pleasure resort OF Ceylon. 1t
is in the midst of vast plateau
of jungle grass. These highland plains.
which are often covered with rhodo-
dcndron trees and with wild flowers.
are called in Ceylon patanas. They
form n striking feature of the high
land scenery and the traveller arriv.
ing at Nuwara Eliya and looking
across the rolling grass country to
the encircling hills. covered with drift
ing mist, might well suppose himself
to be standing on Scottish moor.
From here It is easy to climb to the
summit of Peturutalagala and 30 to
reach the highest point in Ceylon. 1t
is $500 feet above the sea and over
looks the entire central portion Of the
island-a blue-green world of forest
covered mountain. of hills embedded
| in Jungle and of lake-like upland
plains OF waving grass. The noun
tain from which the traveller looks
down upon this scene is covered with
diminutive trees. gnarled and twisted
into fantastic shapes. Upon the bent
and grotesque boughs and trunks
grow moss and fern and orchids as
II to remind the spectator that. though
a cool wind strikes upon his cheeks
he is standing on summit In the
tropics, within few hours. Journey
OF the steamy heat Of Colombo, whence
he started.