On the way to the rock we stopped to see this statue of Buddha.
This is the start to climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. A long way up.
The start of the climb.
Walk through this rock to the entrance.
These are the wire walkways attached to the side of the rock. At this stage I decided that I couldn't go any further due to the heat. Just getting to here was really hard work and I didn't want to collapse on PT. He continued on his own as the guide was supposed to come up with us but he ate something last night and he had a bad stomach so he couldn't risk it. I walked back and waited for PT hoping he would be OK. The guide said it would take about two and half hours all up. PT was back in two hours and I was relieved when I saw him although his face looked like a beetroot, and he was wet through with the heat.
Looking back down from were PT had walked up, so high. PT will take over now to write about the rock climbing.
At the top which was once a castle where the king lived. And again below his swimming pool.
There were two swimming pools. This one which still retains its water by way of artisioan water and a lap pool which wasn't water proof
nearby. Amazing that they had thought of a lap pool way back for the king in the 12th century when he lived up here.
A lovely view. This railing is all that is between the rock and below.
These people are ascending. There were two paths for both up and down. I (PT) used the same path for both up and down as I wanted to be next to the rock as much as possible. Definitely not the outside railing! Below photo. Coming down to a spot at about 125m. I sat next to the chap in the red shirt sitting on the wall. We had quite a natter about the "rock". He elected to only go that high but his wife went up to the top segment.
Tour group going up and down on the wire track.
Great view coming down.
We have nowmoved on to Polonnaruwa Ruins a world heritage site which was built 1200ad.
The steps up to parliament.
This is the remains of the old parliament. Each pile was where the MP's sat and the piles had appropriate etchings denoting what Port folio they had. The king of course sat where those two people are standing. 18 ministers in all. We were told that Sri Lanka now has 253 MP in Sri Lanka's parliament.
This used to be a Palace which was seven stories tall. Burnt down by the Southern Indians. The top of the now ruins was built of wood and the remaining structure was of stone.
Our guide, who is our driver and tour guide, and PT
Inside Guide and PT. Many small bedrooms behind us. Over 1000 rooms of all natures in all. It was a big Palace.
A scrupture on the walls.
One of the Temples. We have to take our shoes off, wear below the knees pants and take our hats off before entering any Palace even if it is a ruin.
Inside the Temple
This is another Temple which we didn't go inside as we had to remove shoes and by this time the heat was tremendous and too hot to walk round bare footed on these hot floors. The temperature would have been around 35degs if not more and very high humidity which is the killer. Exhausting.
Another Temple which you could climb up on the outside, steps on left but again way too hot for this.
Yes another Temple out of the ruin city. It's massive
Further on again outside another Temple. Carving of Buddha on the wall of the Temple. I think we are getting Templed out and we are just starting in Sri Lanka. This Buddha represents a Buddha in the meditating position.
On our way back to the Hotel, we were very fortunate that our driver spotted some wild elephants in the fields. A rare sight as I think they mainly come out at night. This one is a male.
Then a little further along the road we stopped at this herd of elephants. We were so lucky as one doesn't usually see then out, especially near the road. There were 9 here in all including a number of babies
Our last dinner in our hotel in Dambulla.
When we got back from dinner the housekeeping staff had been in and left these swans made out of towels. Beak to beak to make a shape of heart ❤️
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