Arabs, French and assorted Europeans had hankered after “the beautiful and most sumptuously tropical island “by the time Mark Twain encountered Ceylon in 1896. The Portugese and Dutch built Forts to protect their Ivory, sapphies, cinnamon and elephants. Merchants mansions filled with intricately carved Margosa and ebony furniture, paintings and porcelain are a fitting legacy.

When the British ruled the tea slopes, Gentlemans clubs became a reminder of home, golf links were manicured with the legendary blue grass, hill stations had parks lovingly created by amateur gardeners whose strawberry fields Up Country became an essential part of the great Tea Escape .

The Waterfalls are still spectacular. The Ceylon of first class railways with restaurant cars serving mutton cutlet and Oxtail soup has gone to join Morris - Minor taxis whose drivers spoke impeccable Noel Coward English, but todays intrepid voyager can take the legendary tea train or opt for hiring a Helicopter.