Everybody's Cup Of Tea

The tiny island nation of Sri Lanka has bounced back with a lot of heart after the infamous Easter attacks. Designers and A-list advisers Shivan Bhatiya & Narresh Kukreja explore the lush green tea estates of Hatton and the famed wilderness of Yala National Park on their fourth visit.

- Shivan Bhatiya & Narresh Kukreja

Sri Lanka has been an interesting flame for us. We chanced upon it on a work trip in 2016, and the island nation caught us off guard with its beauty. From gastronomy to pristine beaches, rich culture, colonial influences, and the architecture of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka was seductive. It grew on us, slowly and steadily, year on year, much like that love you never expect. We visited it again in 2017—twice! Once, for a friend’s post-wedding celebrations, and later, for a family holiday. Fast forward to 2019, when we heard about the deadly Easter attacks, it only made sense for us to go back and love it even more. Our fourth trip to the destination turned out to be the most experiential, and so far, the most memorable.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO TEA

Having done the shimmering western coastline of Sri Lanka, covering Colombo, Bentota, Galle, and Mirissa on our previous three visits, we chose to venture inwards this time—to the fabled tea estates of Hatton—and savour the unique topography and experiences of the region. After a comfortable three-hour flight from Delhi—made easy by SriLankan Airlines and their extensive menu of fine teas of the land—we were ferried to Hatton on lush winding roads. Endless plantations of tea and pleasant weather ensured tranquillity. And the charming villas of Ceylon Tea Trails matched their enchanting surrounds. A collection of five bungalows restored by the Relais & Chateaux-certified Resplendent Ceylon (which owns the famous Dilmah Tea company), strewn across the valley estate, oozes with old-world elegance.