Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
robes. A friendly monk will open the building and explain the murals. Some of the Jataka
tales (stories from the Buddha's lives) painted here are 200 years old. Turn inland and
drive for 1.2km right at the 134km marker.
DON'T MISS
HUNDUNGODA TEA ESTATE
Hundungoda Tea Estate
TEA PLANTATION
( 077 329 0999;
www.virginwhitetea.com
;
off Kathaluwa Rd; 8am-6pm)
Sri Lanka's tea industry can seem like one vast outdoor factory, with workers toiling end-
lessly for little money to produce a product that's been stripped of any cachet. That's not
the case at the Hundungoda Tea Estate, an exquisite tea plantation in the hills above Kog-
gala, 6km inland via Kathaluwa Rd from the Galle-Matara Rd near the 131km marker.
Here tea isn't a commodity to be off-loaded in bulk to the highest bidder, rather it is a
simple indulgence to be savoured. Presiding over this small plantation is Herman Gunar-
atne, one of the legends of the island's tea industry. On a free one-hour tour you'll sample
and learn how they produce over 25 varieties of tea. Of these the most coveted is Virgin
White tea, a delicate brew made from the tiniest and newest leaves. Where the average
large plantation worker will pick 23kg of black tea in a day, the workers here manage but
150 grams of the virgin white leaves. Be sure to pick up a copy of Gunaratne's autobio-
graphy,The Suicide Club: A Virgin Tea Planter's Journey, which is a remarkably entertain-
ing and insightful read about his life, tea and Sri Lanka, from the waning days of the Brit-
ish Raj to today.
Sleeping & Eating
Thalpe
Thalpe is popular with those looking for a more sedate alternative to Unawatuna. There are
a number of very exclusive places to stay as well as a few cheaper options. The beach is
largely hidden from the road by a solid line of villas, houses and hotels, each with thick
walls and massive gates. Many beach rentals can be found here.
