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Lion Rock
Yep, I managed to get to the top! Today was an early start and off we went to Sigiriya (Lion Rock). I'd read a bit about this landmark before we went, but, hadn't realised quite how big it actually is. It seems to pop up out of nowhere as it's surrounded by trees and we couldn't see it until we were pretty much there and it's immense.
Sigiriya is a medieval site and once housed the palace of King Kassapa, the aim of the morning was to get to the top to check out the view and walk round the ruins, frescos and monuments on the way up. To get from the bottom to the top there are just over 1200 steps to climb... Given the humidity this morning it was a 50/50 chance I'd get up there!! But I made it after a very hot hour or so :-)
We stopped off on the way to take in a few of the views and look at the frescos on the walls in a recess in the rock, they have been preserved really well and are pretty impressive when you consider they've been there for hundreds of years. We continued up the steps to the mirror wall
Last bit...
Started to think twice when I saw that ladder! - a highly polished wall treated with honey, egg white and lime to keep it shining. On the mirror wall is ancient (and some not so ancient) graffiti. This eventually led us to the lion platform where there are the remains of a what must have been an enormous lion statue, only it's paws remain and they're HUGE!
Next stop was the summit and I have to admit at this point I looked up and saw a rickety metal staircase bolted to the outside of the rock and did think twice! But I'd got that far I thought I might as well carry on to the top... The staircase wasn't actually as bad as it looked and was pretty stable but it was steep and looking down through the gaps wasn't necessarily the best thing I could've done! When I finally reached the top I was rewarded with an amazing view and took some great photos. The remains of a 2 storey palace, throne and swimming pool are at the summit. Amazingly there is evidence of drainage systems in and around the ruins. unfortunately there is quite a lot of erosion and it really needs some investment in restoration
I did it!
The highest step and preservation before it erodes too much and disappears.
We each made a point of standing on the highest, final step with a touristy photo as proof We made it. In and around this world heritage site there is quite a lot to see, fountain gardens, boulder gardens and evidence how people have lived. There are a number of areas cut into the rock and made into meditation areas for monks, many of the original frescos in these areas have been removed by the monks as most of them are of topless women, but, again there are bits left.
On the way back down we came to cobra hood so named as it looks like a cobra :-) a natural rock and it's pretty big.
All in all a very tiring trip to the top, but, I wouldn't have missed it.
We returned to the hotel for a cookery demonstration from the chef, he made a couple of curries and I got the recipes so I might have a go when I get home. They were so nice.
We had some free time this afternoon so I arranged to go on an elephant ride quite
close to the hotel. I love elephants, I always have. It's amazing how huge they are, yet they're still elegant. The ride was around an hour and cost $30 and was worth everything I paid. I got to sit on the elephants neck for much of the ride and managed to not fall off despite not really having much to hold on to (didn't think it'd appreciate me grabbing its ears!!) we went through water and I had to get over my banana phobia a bit and feed the elephant as we went along. I never thought I'd ever get so close to an elephant in all my life so, but, I'm so glad I managed to. Fantastic animal.
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Lindsay
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Yipppppeee!
Yippppeee looks amazing. Hope you are having a fantastic time. xxxx