James Taylor's Story
Loolkandura Estate in the Kandy district is the first tea plantation in Sri Lanka, started in 1867 by then 21 year old English planter James Taylor. He was a big made man who weighed 246 pounds with a long beard who planted the first few tea plants in the veranda of his log cabin. The tea leaf was hand rolled on a table and sold for Rs.1.50 at the local market. Later on Ceylon Tea became so popular that large foreign companies bought over Loolkandura (Loolecondera) as Taylor himself was dismissed in 1891. An year later Taylor died due to illness. Twenty Four men carried his coffin to the Mahayyawa Cemetery in Kandy. James Taylor lived and died in this beautiful tea estate that we are about to explore.
It was my friend Jordan's first weekend in Kandy and both of us wanted to hike some nice mountain but with rain only had a few options left. So we got into a Bus from Thennekumubura and ended up with Loolkandura after 3 bus rides and 3 hours later. Then we had to walk about 4km's to get to the tea plantation. It was a curvy road uphill but the cold wind and the mist made it fully worth walking as took a break or two to just sit and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
Ruins of James Taylor's Cottage, Taylor's Seat and Well were some main attractions in the tea plantation. Instead of making a turn first we kept walking until we reached a thick forest and according to locals it wasnt safe to enter due to leopards. The sights were beautiful so we didnt mind walking back. Taylor's Seat is a rock chair where James Taylor used to relax and look at the surrounding mountain rage of Hunnasgiryia, Knuckles, Thoppigala, Brandygala and also the Victoria Reservoir. Following are some photos of the Seat, Well and the path.
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