Moving from Mirissa beach to mountainous Ella is like going from mellow to mellower. The little village is so peaceful, I immediately reach the stage of relaxation that borders on brain death. Ella to a tired tourist is what coconut water to hangover: soothing.
The village itself consists of a single street, but numerous trails lead to guest houses that nest along the hills. The moment I get off the bus (a fairly painless five hour ride from Matara; 190LR/USD1.75), a number of locals surround me offering accommodation. They talk simultaneously in broken English and I grow weary pretty soon. It all seems to be the same: prices are low, some have internet, many advertise hot water, but nobody says anything about view – the only thing that truly concerns me! I finally go with the least pushy guy who throws in a free tuk-tuk ride. We agree that I check it out and if I don’t like it the same tuk-tuk will take me back to the village.
Yeah, well… I don’t go back to the village – in fact I don’t go anywhere for a week: it’s too perfect, too quiet, too pretty. Continue reading
