NUWARA ELIYA VS. ENGLAND! You WON’T BELIEVE What We Found 🇱🇰

Abby and Gaz
15 May 202414:51

TLDRIn this video, the hosts explore Nuwara Eliya, a region in Sri Lanka often referred to as 'Little England', to determine if it lives up to its name for two British travelers. They start their journey at Gregory Lake, enjoying the greenery and cool climate, which is a welcome change from the typical heat of Sri Lanka. The lake offers various activities like horse riding and boating. They compare the experience to visiting a UK nature park, noting the European-style chalets and the organized, clean surroundings. Afterward, they indulge in a full English breakfast at Cafe Noha, which, despite a few differences, is a satisfying experience. They also visit the historic post office, now a tourist attraction where visitors can create custom stamps. The hosts then explore Victoria Park, which resembles a UK park with its cleanliness and tropical trees. They try local beers at 'The Pub', noting its local vibe. Lastly, they visit a strawberry farm to savor the famous strawberries of the region. The video concludes with the hosts recommending Nuwara Eliya as a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka, offering a unique blend of English and local Sri Lankan experiences.

Takeaways

  • 🏞️ Visiting Nuwara Eliya, known as 'Little England', the travelers aim to experience if it lives up to its name for two Brits.
  • 🏠 They stayed at Gregory House, which is located next to Gregory Lake, their first stop for the day.
  • 🌿 The area is notably green and has a pleasant temperature, a refreshing change from the usual heat and humidity in Sri Lanka.
  • 🐴 Activities around Gregory Lake include horse riding, cycling, and speed boating, with various transport options available for a fee.
  • 🎟️ Entry to the lake area costs 600 rupees for foreigners, with the locals possibly paying less or nothing.
  • 🏡 The architecture around the lake and town resembles European styles, particularly Dutch and Swiss, rather than traditional English.
  • 🍔 They enjoyed a Full English breakfast at Cafe Noha, which was a good attempt but not quite on par with those in the UK.
  • 🏣 The post office in Nuwara Eliya, built in 1894, is one of the oldest buildings in Sri Lanka and offers a unique experience where one can stay and create custom stamps.
  • 📮 They bought a postcard from the post office and are hosting a competition where they will send it to a random subscriber with a personalized note.
  • 🌳 Victoria Park is kept very clean and resembles a UK park, with the exception of the tropical trees that give away its Sri Lankan location.
  • 🍺 The Pub in Nuwara Eliya offers a similar experience to a UK pub, although it lacks some traditional UK beers and has a different atmosphere.
  • 🍓 They visited a strawberry farm to try local strawberries, which were a highlight of their food tour and a fruit they had been missing since traveling in India and Sri Lanka.

Q & A

  • What is the nickname for Nuwara Eliya?

    -Nuwara Eliya is also known as 'Little England'.

  • What is the name of the accommodation where the travelers stayed?

    -The travelers stayed at a place called Gregory House.

  • Why did the travelers initially go to the wrong place?

    -They mistakenly asked to be taken to 'Gregory Hotel' instead of 'Gregory Lake', leading them to the wrong location.

  • What is the first impression of Nuwara Eliya that the travelers have?

    -The travelers' first impression is that Nuwara Eliya is very green and has a comfortable temperature, which is a nice change from the heat and humidity they've experienced elsewhere in Sri Lanka.

  • What activities are available at Gregory Lake?

    -Activities at Gregory Lake include horse riding, cycling, and speed boating.

  • What is the cost for foreigners to enter Gregory Lake?

    -Foreigners have to pay 600 rupees to enter Gregory Lake.

  • What type of food did the travelers have for breakfast at Cafe Noha?

    -They had a full English breakfast with baked beans, french fries, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, eggs, and toast with jam.

  • What is special about the post office in Nuwara Eliya?

    -The post office in Nuwara Eliya was built in 1894 to handle British Colonials' post and is one of the oldest buildings in Sri Lanka. It is now a tourist attraction where visitors can create their own stamps and buy postcards.

  • How does the traveler feel about the pub experience in Nuwara Eliya?

    -The traveler felt that the pub was similar to those in the UK but lacked the vibrant atmosphere they expected. They also noted that the selection of beers was not as diverse as they would find in a typical British pub.

  • What famous fruit did the travelers try at a local farm?

    -The travelers tried strawberries at a local farm, which are a famous fruit in the region.

  • What is the name of the strawberry farm they visited?

    -The name of the strawberry farm they visited is Agro.

  • What did the travelers suggest for future visitors to Nuwara Eliya?

    -The travelers suggested that future visitors should not miss visiting Nuwara Eliya, as they enjoyed their day and found it to be very similar to England, with a few differences that made it unique.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Exploring Nuwara Eliya: A Slice of Little England

The video begins with a warm welcome to Nuwara Eliya, a place affectionately known as 'Little England'. The hosts, two Brits, embark on a journey to experience the top activities in the area to determine if it lives up to its English reputation. They start their day next to the scenic Gregory Lake, noting the pleasant temperature and greenery, which is a refreshing change from the rest of Sri Lanka. They observe various activities around the lake, including horse riding, cycling, and speed boating, and comment on the cost of these activities for tourists. The area's beauty is compared to a nature park or National Trust site in the UK, with mentions of Dutch-style architecture and a vibe similar to the Swiss Alps. The presence of restaurants and souvenir shops adds to the experience, and the hosts express amusement at the sight of a UK brand being imitated locally.

05:00

🍳 A Full English Breakfast Experience in 'Little England'

The hosts continue their exploration by seeking out a quintessential English breakfast at a renowned cafe, Cafe Noha. They are particularly interested in how the breakfast will compare to those back in the UK. The breakfast is described as a close approximation of a full English, with beans, French fries, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, eggs, and toast, albeit with a few local variations like the inclusion of fries instead of bread. The hosts appreciate the consideration for dietary restrictions and the effort to cater to their preferences. They also enjoy the cafe's ambiance and the stunning views it offers, which they note would be hard to find in England. The segment ends with high praise for Cafe Noha and a recommendation for others to try it.

10:01

🏤 Visiting the Historic Post Office and Local Attractions

The hosts visit the historic post office in Nuwara Eliya, which was established in 1894 to serve British Colonials and is now one of the oldest buildings in the country. They are intrigued by the opportunity to stay in the post office building and to create personalized stamps and purchase postcards on-site. After browsing through traditional stamps and buying a postcard, they step outside to the classic red post box and announce a competition for their subscribers. The competition involves sending a personalized postcard to a randomly selected subscriber. They then proceed to Victoria Park, which they note is well-maintained and reminiscent of a UK park, despite the presence of tropical trees. The hosts also mention a local pub called 'The Pub', where they experience a taste of British pub culture, although they note some differences and a more local feel than expected.

🍓 Strawberry Farm Visit and A Day of English Comparisons

The video concludes with a visit to a strawberry farm, where the hosts indulge in the local strawberries, a famous delicacy in the area. They try chocolate-coated strawberries and a strawberry pancake with ice cream, expressing delight at the freshness and quality of the fruit, which is a welcome change from the advice to cook or peel fruits in other regions of India and Sri Lanka. The hosts reflect on their day, noting the similarities to an English day out, with activities such as visiting a park, having a meal at a pub, and enjoying a local delicacy. They express a desire to have spent more time in the area to explore additional activities like hiking and visiting waterfalls. The video ends with an encouragement for viewers to visit Nuwara Eliya and participate in their postcard competition.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, also known as 'Little England,' is a city in Sri Lanka renowned for its cool climate and scenic beauty. It is a key location in the video where the hosts explore and compare it with England. The city's name is significant as it sets the stage for the entire video's theme of comparison and discovery.

💡Gregory Lake

Gregory Lake is a picturesque lake situated in Nuwara Eliya, which serves as the starting point for the hosts' exploration. It is a focal point in the video, representing the natural beauty and recreational activities available in the region, such as horse riding and boating.

💡Full English Breakfast

A traditional Full English Breakfast is a meal that typically includes eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, and toast. In the video, the hosts seek to compare the breakfast experience in Nuwara Eliya with what they are accustomed to in England, highlighting the cultural exchange and adaptation.

💡Post Office

The Post Office in Nuwara Eliya, built in 1894, is an old building that now offers a unique experience where visitors can stay overnight and create their own stamps. It symbolizes the colonial history and the blend of British influence in the architecture and services of the city.

💡Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a well-maintained public park in the heart of Nuwara Eliya that resembles parks in the UK. The park is depicted as a clean and serene place for leisure, contributing to the 'Little England' atmosphere the hosts are experiencing.

💡The Pub

The Pub in Nuwara Eliya is a local drinking establishment that the hosts visit to experience a typical British pub atmosphere. It represents an attempt to recreate a British cultural institution in a different setting, which the hosts evaluate for authenticity.

💡Strawberries

Strawberries are a famous local produce in Nuwara Eliya, and the hosts visit a strawberry farm to try the fruit. Strawberries symbolize the agricultural bounty of the region and provide a sensory experience that contrasts with their expectations from England.

💡Cultural Comparison

The act of comparing Nuwara Eliya to England is a central theme of the video. The hosts engage in a cultural comparison to determine the extent to which the city resembles or differs from their homeland, which is a significant part of their travel experience.

💡Travel Experience

The travel experience encompasses the hosts' journey through Nuwara Eliya, their interactions with the local culture, and their personal reflections. It is the core of the video's narrative, providing viewers with insights into the city's appeal as a travel destination.

💡Sri Lankan Cuisine

Sri Lankan cuisine is represented through the local dishes and the adaptation of a Full English Breakfast. The video showcases the hosts' experience with the local food, which is an integral part of understanding the culture and lifestyle of the place they are visiting.

💡Tourist Attraction

Several locations in Nuwara Eliya, such as the Post Office and Victoria Park, are highlighted as tourist attractions. These places are important for the video as they offer unique experiences and insights into the city's history, culture, and natural beauty.

Highlights

Exploring Nuwara Eliya, known as 'Little England', to see if it lives up to its name for two Brits.

Starting the day at Gregory Lake, a picturesque spot with various activities like horse riding and speed boating.

Notable difference in temperature, feeling greenery, and absence of sweating, unlike the rest of Sri Lanka.

Transport options available by the lake include swan boats, speedboats, motorboats, cars, and jet skis.

The cost of activities and entry fees for foreigners, with a mention of the price for a speedboat ride around the lake.

Comparing the architecture around the lake to a mix of Dutch and Swiss styles, rather than traditional English.

Visiting a local café known for its full English breakfast and comparing it to breakfasts back in the UK.

Experiencing a full English breakfast with a twist, including French fries instead of bread and a gluten-free option.

Café Noha is highly recommended for its breakfast and service, offering a view of the lake.

Checking out the historic post office in Nuwara Eliya, one of the oldest buildings in Sri Lanka.

Opportunity to stay in the old post office building and create personalized stamps as a tourist activity.

Victoria Park, reminiscent of a UK park, requires an entrance fee but is well-maintained and clean.

Visiting a local pub called 'The Pub' for a drink, noting the similarity to UK pubs but with a local vibe.

Enjoying local strawberries at a strawberry farm, a famous food item in the area.

Trying chocolate-coated strawberries and a strawberry pancake with ice cream, a delightful treat.

Recommending a visit to Nuwara Eliya for its unique beauty and activities, despite the need for more time to explore fully.

Mentioning other attractions like hikes, waterfalls, and The World's End that they wish they could experience.

Encouraging subscribers to participate in a postcard competition from Nuwara Eliya to a subscriber's home.