Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
After Dambulla we went to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. We went through the museum, and saw some of the frescoes and artifacts. We walked through the water gardens and it rained a little. We decided against taking umbrellas. I didn't really want to have to climb up with them. We approached the rock through the water gardens. In the rainy season, when it rains hard, the water flows down the mountain, under the gardens and the pressure causes the old fountains to work. I saw pictures, they are only small bubbles, but it's still pretty impressive after thousands of years.
While the cloud maiden frescoes were lovely, dare I say they are slightly more impressive in pictures, except for the fact to view them you have to stand on an iron platform halfway up the side of the rock. The lions paw feet on either side of the step were magnificent and the view from the top spectacular. The ruins were mostly foundations and baths, what was most impressive about the place is its location. When you look at the picture, Kate and I climbed to the top of the rock. It was mostly steps, and Kate filmed the entire way. A lot of our film will probably be jumpy as we are taking it as we walk or drive along. After we left, Charminda took a 'shortcut' to Polonarruwa. Along the road we came across a wild elephant. All traffic had stopped as the jungle is right next to the road and you can't drive past the elephant or it will charge. There were a couple of vans and motorcycles and three-wheelers (like motorized rickshaws) all stopped and waiting and tooting their horns at this elephant who didn't have a care in the world. The tourists, us included, were all taking photos and the elephant turned and ambled towards the cars. Man did they back up quick. One Japanese tourist on the back of a
motorcylce behind his guide was trying to us his legs to back the motorcycle up. But then the elephant wandered off into the jungle. By the time we drove past where he disappeared about 15 seconds later, you couldn't see him the jungle was so thick.
- comments