Since our last bus journey proved to be a little exhausting to say the least, we were happy to be departing Ella by train to Nuwara Eliya. The train journey from Ella is listed as one of Lonely Planet’s “must do” activities in Sri Lanka, so to make the most of it we opted for the observation car expecting fantastic views. The views did not disappoint but the cultural side of the train trip was not there so I spent most of the time in the second class area chatting about Canada with a group of Muslim boys and a car load of their siblings. For those interested, second class is a much livelier scene with songs being sung, food being passed around and loud conversation booming through the car compared to the rather sullen mood of the observation car.