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Hatton and Dickoya
Hatton and Dikoya are two popular holiday destinations in the mountains of Sri Lanka. Both cities show a lot of similar characters on weather, vegetation and landscape. Hatton and Dikoya are also two leading tea producing areas in Sri Lanka. Even though they are not well-developed cities such as Colombo and Kandy, a limited number of shops and the market attracts a large crowd every day.
Dikoya and Hatton are about three kilometres away from each other and can be easily reached from Colombo. These are a holiday destination for people who value the calm and serene atmosphere with a healing climate. If you want to get rid of the hustle and bustle and routine life in the cities, you are well on the way to your target here. Both cities are loved by local travellers and it is difficult to see foreigners here. Both cities are very unpopular among foreign travellers and not included in most Sri Lanka road trips while it does not provide any historical or culturally important place to visit.
Hatton and Dickoya can be best describe as adventure holiday destinations, due to the large concentration of mountains, escapements, rocks, streams and waterfalls. There are many locations in the region that can be best suited for adventures sports such as hiking, mountain climbing, caving, walking, mountain biking and trekking. It harbours a large number of best places for trekking in Sri Lanka, all of them are within the easy reach of Hatton and Dikoya. One major attraction of Dikoya is the Castlereigh reservoir. This beautiful reservoir is surrounded by mountains, tea plantations and patches of forests.
Hatton and dick Oya both are the set off points for the Adams peak adventure. Climbing of Adams peak is one of the most adventurous mountains climbs in the country. On average it takes nearly 6 hours to reach the top of the mountains. A large number of people is going up the mountain owing to religious reasons. Adams peak is a well-known pilgrimage site for Sri Lankan Buddhist, Hindu, Muslims and Catholics.
Kotagala is another beautiful village in the direction of Nuwara Eliya from Hatton, where two beautiful waterfalls are to be found. Devon fall is the first waterfall to be seen when travelling from the direction of Hatton and Colombo. This waterfall is narrower than the other waterfall but it is the taller (92 meters) of the two waterfalls. Several hundred meters in the direction of Nuwara Eliya from Devon fall is the St.Claires waterfall.
St.Claires waterfall is known as bridal fall as well and it is wide and rich in water than Devon fall. This cascading waterfall can be clearly separated into three parts. Both waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful tea estates and mountains.
Due to the recently constructed upper Kotmale hydroelectricity project, several water resources that feed St.Claires waterfall is diverted away from the waterfall. Therefore the waterfall does not produce the majestic roaring sound as it used to have in the past.
Hatton and Dikoya are predominantly inhabited by Hindu community. Therefore a large number of Hindu temples can be found in the region. The main lively hood of the people, who live here, is the vegetable farming, animal husbandry and working in tea estates.
The poverty of the region considered to be very high compared to most other parts of Sri Lanka and according to the statistics literacy rate is also at a very low level in the area.
Dick Oya
There lies a small hamlet about 100 km to the west of commercial (Colombo) centre of Sri Lanka. Hidden in the mist at the time of dawn, it is where the fresh, cool climate invites you to have a holiday and escape from the oppressive heat in Colombo. It is where; as the sun rises warming up valleys below, Adam’s peak (Holy Mountain) keep its eye on the valley from the distance. It is where the history of the colonial rulers, a distinct commodity mingles with tourism.
Dick Oya is located 4000 feet above the sea level on the A4 main highway past adventure sporting hub of Kitulgala. Hatton city and Norton bridge two other famous landmarks on the way. Dick Oya and the region are well known for its finest Ceylon tea. These picturesque tea valleys belong to famous tea planters of the island.
One can enjoy the beautiful scenes of endless rows of lush green tea buds. Mountains, escapements and waterfalls around Dick Oya add more variation for its beauty. Colonial buildings in Dick Oya are reminiscent of centuries of colonial rule in the region. The landscape of Dick Oya changed from natural forests to tea plantations, where the British planters lived and lead.
A refreshing trek in a tea estate will leave you with a smile on your face; not just in letting go of your stress, but in smiling with the friendly tea puckers and local folk that you would meet on your way. There are few temples along the way giving fine insight into culture and religion. One can enter the temples and check them out; one can learn the temple art and the faiths, one need to take off shoes and hats before entering the building.
Warleigh Church built during British rule, shows typical British architecture. William Scott of the Governor’s Mansion, an Englishman, constructed the structure in 1878, and it serves as the final resting place for British planters and their family members. One feels the overwhelming calmness of the Church, Holy bible dating back to 1879 is another asset of the centuries-old Church. Warleigh Church overlooks the blue expanse of the Castlereigh Lake; nestled in the Golden Valley of Tea, the lake is simply spectacular.
Darawala cricket club is the place where the British planters gathered to play cricket. The current planters and local folk now gather at the club for sports and celebrations, keeping its spirit alive.