After a nice first walk in Ella we deciWded to visit the tea
factory, as the sky starts showing signs of rapid nearing
rainclouds we decide to take a tuctuc rather than to walk
there. Negotiating with the driver was slightly possible, 20%
off in case of return journey. In general price have
increased here a lot since 2011, the year of the lonely
planet edition I’m carrying with me. Either tourism is
seriously on the rise, or lonely planet is really out of date
consequently. I’m guessing and hoping for Sri Lanka the first
one. The factory is nice, warm, intense tea odours jump in my
nose, the machines are theo ones with the  most highly
advances technology according to out guide, a retired
ex-teafactory CEO. After this our tuctuc driver insists on
bringing us to the nearby Dowa temple. For 800 rupees, but
soon 500 Rupees extra. I guess he needs the money
desperately. We decided to go along, as weather remained
unstable it seemed a good way of finishing our first day in
the Ella region. Once at this whitewashed temple my first
opinion is what a small overrated temple. However there was a
downstairs level, with 2000 years old paintings and 600 years
old reclining Buddha statues and well in shape rock
paintings. Getting in the temple felt a bit like a scam. The
temple guy said if we can make a donation. Sure, no problem.
So we decided to give 150 rupees. He insisted on us paying
200 rupees and he showed other persons donations. I reminded
him it being a donation which shouldnt involve a minimum
amount. With a fierce voice he then said its 100 rupees each.
All the sudden I’m lost between paying an entrance fee or
giving a voluntary donation which he wants to be minimum 200
rupees. With still fresh memories of Indian temple touts and
high so called donations, I felt insecure. We paid up and
focussed on the temple.  A tall Buddha cut out off a
standing rock made the temple visit pretty remarkable for the
eyes. But I still don’t know this was a scam or not… Well
whatever. Let’s enjoy a Lion lager.

7/3/2013