Sri Lanka by train is MINDBLOWING! Nine arch bridge & Ambuluwawa Tower

Available subtitles (auto generated) ENGLISH CHINEES HINDI SPAANS RUSSISCH POLISH ARABIC BENGALI INDONESIAN THAIS VIETNAMESE GERMAN NEDERLANDS Instagram: @benontheroad Gear Panasonic Lumix s5II DJI Osmo Action 4 DJI Mini 4 Welcome back to our channel and thank you for joining us early this morning at the 9 Arch Bridge. I've always thought of this bridge as a tourist trap, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The view is breathtaking, and it exudes the rich history of Sri Lanka. As the morning dew dissipates and the sun rises, I fly my drone over the area. It's incredibly beautiful—I have to eat my words about it being overhyped. This bridge is absolutely worth a visit. Our advice? Go early. As if on cue, a train horn echoes through the valley. The rumble of a diesel engine grows louder, and soon the train crawls past. Many early birds have chosen to ride the train over the bridge, which must be spectacular. But I can assure you, walking to the bridge is just as magnificent. Now it's back to the village because we're heading to Kandy by train. It's just before 9 AM, and our journey to Kandy is about to begin. We've learned that it's school holiday season in Sri Lanka, so many young, excited local tourists are boarding with us. At 9 sharp, the train arrives—right on time, something we're not used to in Holland! Soon we're leaving Ella in a packed train. The first 20 minutes are a struggle as we stand with our bulky backpacks, but luckily most tourists exit after one stop. They're just after a quick train experience and that Instagram-worthy shot hanging out the door. But if you're committed and want the BEST Sri Lanka experience, stay on until Kandy. As I mentioned, the first 20-30 minutes were uncomfortable, but things improved. The passengers were incredibly kind, helping us store our backpacks safely. We found a great spot in the doorway. Sitting there as the train winds through stunning scenery, you have to pinch yourself—is this real? As we learned in Weligama, traditional tuk-tuk drivers aren't fond of those using the app. Pick Me offers fixed prices, preventing overcharging, and the set destination eliminates the hassle of explaining where to go. The pick me app is fantastic for arranging transport in Sri Lanka BUT if you booked your ride and another driver is coming to you, don't brag about it that you arranged transport by using the app. It seems that the pick me app is not appropriated by the drivers who want to make the most money out of a tourist. Fixed prices, preventing overcharging, and my bigget the set destination eliminates the hassle of explaining where to go. After a comfortable night in Kandy, we returned to the train station. We bought tickets to Gampola, a city 10km from Kandy that's easily accessible by train. Our destination? The Ambuluwawa Temple. In Gampola, we took a tuk-tuk to the tower. There's an entrance fee to the park, followed by a steep climb to the temple. Climbing the stairs isn't really safe , and I'm surprised it's allowed. The staircase is really narrow with a low railing— it's not exactly a safe field trip. My mom would definitely forbid me from going higher than the first floor! Oke im the last one who should talk about safety.. Just be careful if you visit, and again, go early. One thing's for sure: the view is AMAZING. A word on tuk-tuk fares: don't overpay, but remember that drivers set their own prices as the Pick Me app doesn't always calculate fair rates. We thought 2,500 rupees was reasonable, and we tipped generously. Our driver was a great guy. We're taking the train back to Kandy, and since we left early, we still have plenty of time to explore the city. But that's for another episode. If you enjoyed our time in the Pearl of Asia, please leave us a like. And lastly, I want to thank everyone who's subscribed and supported this channel—you've helped push our small account over 1,500 subscribers! We're truly grateful!