SRI LANKA Sigiriya Rock

Sigiriya rock is Sri Lanka's main heritage site. 

And it was certainly impressive. 

They say the rock formation was used in the late 400 AD as a fortress and palace city by King Kassapa complete with royal gardens at the summit. Also used as a Buddhist monastery filled with statues and paintings until it was abandoned and forgotten in the 14th century. It was later rediscovered in 1898 and excavated by British explorers.

It was a hot steep climb in some places, past the boulder gardens, the water gardens, and the meditation caves. 

We made it to the base of the rock! Can you see Gage? 

Along with a 100 Japanese tourists. 

The view from the base of the rock with a huge white standing Buddha statue in the distance.

Up another flight of stairs is a open air spiral staircase that led us to a long sheltered gallery. 

Right along the rock face there are a series of paintings. No one quite knows how old they are. Some say 5th century, some say 12th. And no one knows exactly who the women in the frescos are; some say apsaras, some say a female form of the Tantric in Buddhism.   

But they were pretty in their classical realism and glowing colors.

This shady spot on the other side of the gallery was the perfect spot for a break. We had snacks, changed a diaper and Sybil fell fast asleep. The boys appreciated the break too. Especially from all the unwanted attention they were getting - people ruffling their hair, pinching their cheeks, taking their pictures. 

So Gage entertained us with his funny faces. 

It was blazing hot by the time we made it to the Lion's Paws, so Noah and I stayed in the shade with sleeping Sybil while Gage and Dave braved the final climb to the summit. 

Foundations of ancient buildings with ruins of a dagoba at the very top.

Time to head back down. 

The kids had fun choosing a souvenir at the exit. Gage chose a big wooden mask and Noah chose a painted elephant. I'm glad Noah snapped a couple pictures here. 

The trees in the parking lot were full of monkeys. Sybil was so intrigued, "Mommy look! Monkey in the trees! Eating a banana!"