Relaxation
Traveling eastwards through a landscape of
thrilling waterfalls, the road dives dizzily to Haputale, which was one of tea
millionaire Thomas Lipton's favourite haunts. Here, in the Benedictine
monastery of Addisham, you'll find a natural bird sanctuary with blue magpies,
paradise flycatchers, green barbets, brilliant orange plumaged mini-verts
hornbills, golden orioles and a host of other bird life.
The house resembles Leeds Castle in Kent,
England,
and was in fact built by Kentish gentleman, who filled it with imported
carpets, porcelain, furniture and glassware. He even had an English chauffeur
for this Daimler. Today it is run as a monastery, which produces homemade jams
and jellies from wild guavas and fruit cordials for sale (open 9am-12 noon and
3-5pm). Though in no way a full commercial guesthouse, Addisham can accommodate
up to 12 people by prior arrangements
