We arrived in Sigiriya and looked at the rock mountain. We thought that it was beyond us!
Sigiriya was a 1-2 century BC temple but was the Island Capital during the reign of King Kassapa from 473-491.
It looked an impossible challenge to make it to the top!
On the first afternoon we travelled around the base on back roads and tracks. Along the way we saw lots of birdlife like this cormorant drying his wings in the afternoon sun.
The next day we faced the challenge. We set ourselves the target of making it to the one third level where there are a series of ancient frescoes. It was about 400 steps.
We were up early and ready to go when the complex opened. This is the best we would look today!
Posing at the inner moat.
The first few steps lots to follow!
It was a very hard climb for us but we did make it to the first level. The frescoes were excellent.
Before we had time to think it through we were on the next steps and heading up and up. Our knees were calling to stop and our brain stopped working as we kept going. Yes we finally made it to the top! We felt a great sense of achievement and that night our legs felt a great deal of pain.
The third stage. At least there were steps up the face of the rock.
The views were stunning.
View down onto the formal gardens, It is one of the oldest in Asia.
Gail at the lion paws. They are on either side of the steps going from the second to third stage.
Rob resting at the top. The footprint of the Royal Palace is all that remains. It was a seven storey structure.
The "Dancing Terraces" shimmer in the sunlight.
The steps down at times even more difficult!
The final steps down
We are about to tell our legs that we are down. Then back for breakfast.
Sigiriya was a 1-2 century BC temple but was the Island Capital during the reign of King Kassapa from 473-491.
It looked an impossible challenge to make it to the top!
On the first afternoon we travelled around the base on back roads and tracks. Along the way we saw lots of birdlife like this cormorant drying his wings in the afternoon sun.
The next day we faced the challenge. We set ourselves the target of making it to the one third level where there are a series of ancient frescoes. It was about 400 steps.
We were up early and ready to go when the complex opened. This is the best we would look today!
Posing at the inner moat.
The first few steps lots to follow!
It was a very hard climb for us but we did make it to the first level. The frescoes were excellent.
Before we had time to think it through we were on the next steps and heading up and up. Our knees were calling to stop and our brain stopped working as we kept going. Yes we finally made it to the top! We felt a great sense of achievement and that night our legs felt a great deal of pain.
The third stage. At least there were steps up the face of the rock.
The views were stunning.
View down onto the formal gardens, It is one of the oldest in Asia.
Gail at the lion paws. They are on either side of the steps going from the second to third stage.
Rob resting at the top. The footprint of the Royal Palace is all that remains. It was a seven storey structure.
The "Dancing Terraces" shimmer in the sunlight.
The steps down at times even more difficult!
The final steps down
We are about to tell our legs that we are down. Then back for breakfast.
3 comments:
Wow, I think you deserve your breaky today! I'm impressed!
Apparently there are 1,080 steps on the walls of Dubrovnik - but they were not all straight up and down.
PS autocorrect wanted to change breaky to creaky. :-)
Harrison and Alex have enjoyed looking at the photos of you and said a big hello. They particularly liked the lion paw.
You both have my admiration
My knees are already hurting looking at the down journey
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