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photosworthseeing · 3 years

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Lipton tree… ( Dambetenne - Haputale)

Blog recommendation of the month

@themazette

Interview

1. When and how did you start to become interested

I was really surprised and quite honored to have been invited to participate to this exercise. First I would like to apologize for my broken English and the literal translation I did on my answers. (Feel free to ask for further explanations if needed). Then I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the lovely people of PWS, for the passion of Photography they share with a bright and generous talent and all the support they bring daily to the original photographers on Tumblr.

It starts many years ago, as I saw my father with his Bolex16 filming butterflies and our children’s performances in the swimming pool. It fascinated me. When I was 14, I filched my brother’s Praktica which I later traded for a Nikon FM2, a more feminine camera. A quote from Garry Winogrand inspired that part of my life : « If I photograph something, it is to know what once that will look like photographed. »

I chose to study Cinema in parallel with long studies in Contemporary History and Social Sciences as the reporter I wished to be. I tried B&W with street sceneries widely inspired by photojournalists that I love such as Gérard Depardon, René Burry and Marc Riboud then I switched for Color with minimal landscapes in cinematographic spirit quite inspired by Wim Wenders.

Because of my job, I have spent a lot of time traveling all over the world, for film shootings during years and years. In this whirlwind, where each place erases the next, I wanted to keep impressions of the places and people I met and my response was to do so with my personal camera. Maybe that was my first steps for my future blog…

2. How would you say your photography changed since you started?

Several years ago, I realized that I no longer needed to tell it all in one picture. A detail was enough to describe a real meeting, or a soulful landscape… Then my photographs became more moving, more impressionistic…

3. What inspires you?

So many great and famous photographers and artists … my house is filled with books of photos, arts, sociological, artistic, semantic and philosophical questions and comments on our relationship to the Image and the way we think about the representation of the world . Of course, I have my endless personal list which includes Irwing Penn, Edward Steichen, André Kertész, Keiichi Tahara, August Sanders, Izis, Paul Strand, Peter Lindbergh, Paolo Roversi, Richard Avedon, Brassaï, Robert Capa, Gérard Depardon, René Burry, Marc Riboud, Bruce Chatwin, Mari Ellen Mark, Josef Koudelka and many others… Over the years, this love of photography and photographers has shaped and transformed my sight on what I could do with a camera as much as my feelings and emotions have also done so.

4. If you’d have to describe yourself as a photographer in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

I surely would like to be describe as a simple amateur photograph.

5. Is there something you learned during your photographic journey that you would have loved to know when you were just starting out?

That the simplicity often brings strength to a photograph.

That the balance has to be always obvious in a frame.

That digital photography was about to come…

That words from Joe Strummer: « We aren’t particularly talented. We try harder! »

PWS - Stephi

#pws #blog recommendation of the month #photographers on tumblr #original photographers #artists on tumblr #original photography #submission

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isleoftrails · 5 years

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Haputale, Sri Lanka

Things to do in Haputale

Haputale is a quiet little town on the hills south of Nuwara Eliya. Not well known among avid travelers, yet, the lucky few who cross paths of Haputale wouldn't hesitate to spend a couple of nights here.

"Haputale is one of the best places to get some much-needed rest from your busy work-life. You can either tick-off some of the things you can do in Haputale or, relax with some incredible scenery; the choice is yours."

Haputale is known for its production of some of the best Sri Lankan tea. The climate and vegetation provide great nourishment to the surrounding land covered by tea bushes. Mornings here are cold and usually covered by blankets of mist. On a clear day, the views of the rolling hills are surreal, and we think all this makes Haputale one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.

We decided to take the train at 8:45 am from Kandy (Podi Menike). As usual, the train was late, but we managed to arrive in Haputale by 2:30 pm and the journey on the train itself is a treat! There are multiple ways you can reach Haputale. We've listed down some great information at the end of this story on some bus routes and trains you can take to reach Haputale.

Based on our experience, if you want to explore what's around Haputale, then, spending two nights in Haputale would be perfect. We decided to list down a couple of things that you can do during your stay in Haputale.

Lipton’s Seat

Located on top of the Poonagala Hill, Lipton's seat is named after the British tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton. It is also one of the best viewpoints in Sri Lanka. Sir Lipton used this viewpoint to survey his impressive tea fields surrounding it. Today, it is open to visitors from around the world, and it doesn't disappoint. On a clear day, you can view Sri Lanka's south coast including the Hambantota port. The cloudy days are also a treat with waves of mist rolling through the mountain vistas.

From Haputale town, it is a one and a half-hour drive. We recommend taking a tuk-tuk which would cost about LKR 1,500 (USD 8 / EUR 9) for a round-trip. Many wake up at 4:30 am to catch a glimpse of the sunrise from Lipton's seat. You can treat yourself to a hot cup of tea plucked from the fields below. On your way back to Haputale, you can visit the Dambetenne tea factory.

While a morning trip is the common practice, we opted for a sunset drive on our Day 1 in Haputale. What surprised us was that no-one else was at Lipton's seat in the evening, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences we've had. The sunset over the mountain ridges of the west was incredibly satisfying, and the return trip gave us the perfect opportunity for some great astrophotography.

Quick tip: If you do the sunset trip, then, don’t forget to grab some warm local vadai from the street-side shops closer to Haputale town on Dambatenne road. Tell your chauffer or tuk-tuk driver to get you some. Its a treat not to be missed with a hot cup of tea.

Dambetenne Tea Factory

This colonial tea factory is one of the oldest tea factories in Sri Lanka built in the year 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton. Even after 100 years, the factory produces a majority of the Lipton's tea you drink today. The tour of the Dambetenne tea factory is the perfect way to learn the intricate processes of tea production. From fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving, and grading of tea along with a tea tasting experience makes this tour the perfect tea experience.

The tea tour costs just LKR 250 (USD 1.30 / EUR 1.20) is conducted daily between 8 am and 6 pm. The factory and estate are not open on Sunday so there is nothing much you can do on a Sunday.

Adhisham Bungalow

Named after a small village and parish in the English county of Kent, this bungalow was built in the year 1931 by the planter Sir Thomas Villiers, a descendant of the Dukes of Bedford. This Jacobean style structure was home to several prominent personnel during the colonial era. In the year 1961, this bungalow was purchased by the Roman Catholic church and converted to a Benedictines monastery.

Today, this monastery, run by Benedictine monks, is open to the public during the local school holidays, weekends and Poya holidays. A perfectly manicured fruit and flower estate surround the Adhisham monastery where the locals produce organic fruit jams and cordials.

You can take a tuk-tuk from the Haputale town for LKR 600 (USD 3.30/ EUR 3.00). The bungalow is open for visits between 8 am and 4:30 pm but closed on weekdays except during the local school holidays.

Diyaluma Falls

Diyaluma Falls is located in another quaint village 20 km south of Haputale. The trip to Diyaluma would take a half-day, and this is not just to see the waterfall but also to trek to the top. The road from Haputale that leads to Diyaluma falls is the perfect example of how beautiful Sri Lanka's country-side can be.

The trek to the top is roughly 45 minutes, and we recommend taking at least 2-liters of water, and a swimsuit. The journey to Diyaluma falls deserves a separate story, and you can read about it on our blog, soon.

Idalgashinna Railroad hike to Haputale

For adventurous travelers, this is a spectacular experience that requires you to take the train to Haputale from Kandy or Nuwara Eliya. Idalgashinna railway station is the last train stop before the Haputale railway station. Walking about 250 meters back towards Ohiya on the railroad brings you to a kilometer long foot-path leading to the top of Idalgashinna Mountain. The view of the rail-lines from the top, overlooking the tall pine and eucalyptus trees is a must-do.

From the Idalgashinna Railway station, your hike to Haputale is about 8 kilometers which would take up to 3 hours to complete depending on your fitness level. You can get off Ohiya railway station and extend this trek by another 9 kilometers provided you are a seasoned hiker and not alone.

Keep in mind, there are 14 railway tunnels between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations, and knowing accurate train times is a must. It is also advisable to note that there won't be many people residing in the vicinity during the hike.

1 or 2 Nights in Haputale

Traveling by train, bus or private car, you will most likely reach Haputale by noon or early afternoon.

Our ideal itinerary for two nights would be for you to start your trip with the Idalgashinna - Haputale railroad hike. This way, you would have a great first day filled with gorgeous views. The next morning, you can visit Lipton's seat and Dambatenne tea factory. In the afternoon, you can hike up to the top of Diyaluma Falls and reward yourself to a well-deserved swim. On the day of departure, you can visit Adhisham Monastery in the morning (provided you visit on a weekend, Poya holiday or during school holidays.

Depending on your fitness levels and of course your interests, how you spend your time in Haputale can change. We think Haputale is one of the best places to get some much-needed rest from your busy work-life. You can either tick-off some of the things you can do in Haputale or, relax with some incredible scenery; the choice is yours.

Reaching Haputale

You can reach Haputale by bus, train or car. Our recommended mode of reaching Haputale is by train even if you are on a private guided tour.

By Car:

From Colombo: Up to 7 hours.

From Kandy: Up to 5 hours.

From Nuwara Eliya: Up to 2 hours.

From Ella: Up to 1 hour.

From Galle: Up to 7 hours.

By Bus:

From Colombo Fort: Route No: 99 (Colombo to Badulla).

There are multiple buses that you can take to reach Haputale. The bus is the most convenient method to get to Haputale from just about any location in Sri Lanka. Each main town has a bus that either arrives in Haputale (direct or connecting) or goes past Haputale.

Note: We will do extensive research on various bus routes you can take, from key locations, and update this article soon.

By Train:

Up to 6 trains reach Haputale each day. We created a table of departure times from three key locations most travelers frequent during their travels.

You should also keep in mind that only three trains go past Kandy, but five trains go past Peradeniya. These two railway stations are just 10 minutes apart.

You should also keep in mind that these train times can vary due to multiple factors. We recommend that you arrive at each train station at least 20 minutes before the departure time.

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Train Colombo Fort Kandy Peradeniya Nanu Oya Arrival in Haputale Train - 1126 (Daily) 0555 hrs 0330 hrs 0347 hrs 0918 hrs 1105 hrs Podi Menike (Daily) 0830 hrs 0847 hrs 0857 hrs 1245 hrs 1415 hrs Udarata Menike (Daily) 0945 hrs 1110 hrs 1055 hrs 1450 hrs 1626 hrs Train - 1007 (Daily) 1230 hrs 1151 hrs 1726 hrs Train - 1159 (Week Days Only) 1744 hrs 2057 hrs Night Mail (Daily) 2000 hrs 2306 hrs 0311 hrs 0455 hrs

Livelihood

The local community in Haputale are not so well-to-do. The people are very friendly and welcoming with nothing but smiles on their faces. Half of the town earn minimum wage of not more than USD 5 a day working in the tea estates. When traveling to Haputale, we recommend taking a few books and stationary for the local kids or opt to support the local community in any way you can.

We also request that you minimize the use of plastic, and properly dispose of any garbage you accumulate during your journey.

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#Haputale #Sri Lanka #Travel #City Guide

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