Dambulla/Sigiriya

I can’t explain in words how lovely this place is. There is accomodation for only 2 couples and you can barely see the other room from ours. We have our own pool and it’s insanely quiet.

Getting here was an experience. We took turns driving and we’ve been driving pretty well. I had to negotiate a crazy intersection at Kurunegala with no traffic lights and traffic coming from 4 directions. It’s just put your head down, give way to anything bigger than you and just trust the process.

It was amazing to see the change in scenery from the coast and up to Dambulla, driving through jungle/forest and then fields of coconut trees and grass, with random little villages scattered in between.

Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla Cave Temple is over 2000 years old. There are 5 separate caves with carvings of Buddha and artwork all over the walls and ceiling. Because it was the day before Poya (a Buddhist full moon celebration) there were loads of Sri Lankans making the trip to the temple. There are about 600 steps to the top and it’s pretty hard going as the steps are carved into stone so every step is a different size and height. I will admit I stopped quite a few times and Sean thought I may have a stroke before getting to the top. Mind you it was the middle of the day, 30 degrees and 80% humidity so I was a beetroot by the time we got to the top. I was put to shame by these spritely old Sri Lankan ladies who just powered up the hill holding bunches of lotus and jasmine flowers for offerings.

Click on the images to expand them.

Sigiriya

All I can say is don’t miss leg day at the gym before coming here. Holy smokes there are over 1200 steps and around half are stone, really high and uneven. The rest are metal and make their way up the side of Sigiriya Rock to the top. Originally a temple, then a palace and lastly a monastery, it is now just ruins but you can still see all the pools and building foundations cut into the rock. Below the rock is an immense garden made up of rock pools and paths. Well worth the hike up to the top for the amazing 360-degree view for kilometres. Photos really don’t do this place justice.