Sigiriya

Sigiriya (Lion Rock)	An ancient magma plug from a long-ago-eroded volcano	Rising from the central plains, it's very impressive	People on the top
Water gardens on the approach to the rock - crocodiles about	Yep, we saw one take this bird	Water gardens	Water gardens
Gardens	Water gardens	The climbing starts	Passing through these two huge boulders
We can see spiral staircases on the wall of the rock, all will be revealed later	Near the base of the rock	Then we climb steep stone staircases	We get great views as we go...
...it's also an opportunity to catch our breaths	We reach the The Lion's Paws	At one time a gigantic brick lion sat at this end of the rock	We walk up between the paws...
...and start the final ascent...	...to the top	Yay, we made it, Pete at the top	Jackie at the top
King Kasyapa (r477-495) built...	...a garden and...	...palace at the top	This spectaculer terraced summit...
...covers 1.6 hectares	It was worth the climb	Ruins of the palace buildings	Water tank hewn out of the rock
We also get fabulous views all around	Pidurangula	Pidurangula	Views off into the distance
We can see the water gardens down below	Water gardens	Forest all around	Macaques at the summit, grabbed a fellow tourist's cola
We start our descent, stone steps	Then metal steps	You can see the original grooves and steps cut into the rock	It's a popuar site
Still going down...	...then we traverse a metal walkway around the rock	It takes us to the Mirror Wall	Then to the spiral staircases
These go up and down to frescoes decorating the rock face	No photos of the frescoes are allowed but there are photos below, from the museum reproductions	Back at the bottom, we explore the Cistern Rock	The Cistern Rock
Frogs in the cistern	Near the Audience Hall	Boulder Arch	Cobra Hood Cave
Cobra Hood Cave	Carved plaque 4th -5th century	Buddha image 8th - 10th century	Buddha image 5th - 7th century
Female deity 5th - 7th century	Lion 13th - 14th century	Reproductions of the rock frescoes	Frescoes that represent apsaras (celestial nymphs) or...
...King Kasyapa's concubines	Frescoes	Lots of macaques	Macaques
Macaques	Having a wee drink	Using the power cables to get around	Elephant ride
Beer and cocktails on the river	Fun restaurant	Oxen pull carts...	...for village tours
We stayed at Jungle Path Lodge, aptly named	Cheers from Sigiriya	Cheers