After afternoon tea on our veranda and a short rest, Olivia and I were off to climb Sigiriya. I have a previous post about our last visit there - January 23 2011. Conditions then were the opposite of today's - then very wet, low visibility and an early morning climb. On arrival we found the ticket office and paid our RS3,900 - the admission price fluctuates according to the value of the rupee, I was told, as the owners and government have a declared practice of getting as much as they can from the tourist. We then began out walk through what, in King Kassapas time, were the water gardens. First we had to cross over the moat.
Moat, Sigiriya |
Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka |
Olivia pauses on the first steps |
The late afternoon sun casts a surreal glow behind the trees |
Sigiriya ladies |
The side of Sigiriya |
Lion's Paw entrance |
Hornets |
Ruins of King Kassappa's Palace |
The lower part of the rock was used as a cave monastery in the 5th Century BC. King Kassappa's time there was around 477 - 495. After his death it was used as a monastery again until the 14th century after which it seems to have been abandoned until the 16th - 17th Century when it was used as an outpost by the Kandyan kings.
Palace ruins on Sigiriya |
Gardens below |
It was very pleasant and surprisingly still on top as we walked the perimeter taking in the views from all around. The sun was setting alarmingly fast and, as we didn't relish the idea of descending torch-less in the dark, we reluctantly headed down the staircase. There are a few alternative paths down after the Lion's Paws and we took one past the new excavation area and through the quiet park. There was one couple ahead of us but they soon disappeared from view leaving us alone in the peace of the end of the day.
Last sight of the Rock from the alternative path |
Great post, as always. I had no idea Sri Lanka had that kind of landscape. Breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteAn alternative or an add on to India? It's a beautiful country.
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