Sigiriya - All human life is there.....especially if you are silly enough to go on a public holiday!
This rock is an amazing sight, rising as it does from sweltering jungle and the fortifications at the top give fantastic views over a large part of central Sri Lanka. However, the reality of the climb up "iffy" staircases pinioned into the rock, and a very tedious "one step every five seconds" spiral staircase take away the romance. At least it was tedious with about 300 people ahead of you! I was so sweaty when I got to the top, I forgot to take photos. The breeze is no use since it's as hot as you are, and the humidity makes sweating less effective....mmmm nice.
I'm afraid all I could think about was the pool at the Hotel Sigiriya, from where you have a superb view of the rock. This is a nice place to stay, with good local food - I ate spicy food for at least 2 of the 3 daily meals with no ill effects whatsoever, although it did ruin my social life. There is a jungle lodge "African" feel to the place, enhanced by the news that during one of our nights there, they had had to scare off a wild elephant that was wrecking the flower beds! The hotel were quite happy to arrange impromtu early morning wild life trips - don't kick termite hills, especially the ones with LARGE holes in them, that's where the cobras live!
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Sightseeing
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