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Peter & Jackie Main | profile | all galleries >> World Galleries >> Asia >> Sri Lanka >> Sigiriya tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Sigiriya

Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
An ancient magma plug from a long-ago-eroded volcano
An ancient magma plug from a long-ago-eroded volcano
Rising from the central plains, it's very impressive
Rising from the central plains, it's very impressive
People on the top
People on the top
Water gardens on the approach to the rock - crocodiles about
Water gardens on the approach to the rock - crocodiles about
Yep, we saw one take this bird
Yep, we saw one take this bird
Water gardens
Water gardens
Water gardens
Water gardens
Gardens
Gardens
Water gardens
Water gardens
The climbing starts
The climbing starts
Passing through these two huge boulders
Passing through these two huge boulders
We can see spiral staircases on the wall of the rock, all will be revealed later
We can see spiral staircases on the wall of the rock, all will be revealed later
Near the base of the rock
Near the base of the rock
Then we climb steep stone staircases
Then we climb steep stone staircases
We get great views as we go...
We get great views as we go...
...it's also an opportunity to catch our breaths
...it's also an opportunity to catch our breaths
We reach the The Lion's Paws
We reach the The Lion's Paws
At one time a gigantic brick lion sat at this end of the rock
At one time a gigantic brick lion sat at this end of the rock
We walk up between the paws...
We walk up between the paws...
...and start the final ascent...
...and start the final ascent...
...to the top
...to the top
Yay, we made it, Pete at the top
Yay, we made it, Pete at the top
Jackie at the top
Jackie at the top
King Kasyapa (r477-495) built...
King Kasyapa (r477-495) built...
...a garden and...
...a garden and...
...palace at the top
...palace at the top
This spectaculer terraced summit...
This spectaculer terraced summit...
...covers 1.6 hectares
...covers 1.6 hectares
It was worth the climb
It was worth the climb
Ruins of the palace buildings
Ruins of the palace buildings
Water tank hewn out of the rock
Water tank hewn out of the rock
We also get fabulous views all around
We also get fabulous views all around
Pidurangula
Pidurangula
Pidurangula
Pidurangula
Views off into the distance
Views off into the distance
We can see the water gardens down below
We can see the water gardens down below
Water gardens
Water gardens
Forest all around
Forest all around
Macaques at the summit, grabbed a fellow tourist's cola
Macaques at the summit, grabbed a fellow tourist's cola
We start our descent, stone steps
We start our descent, stone steps
Then metal steps
Then metal steps
You can see the original grooves and steps cut into the rock
You can see the original grooves and steps cut into the rock
It's a popuar site
It's a popuar site
Still going down...
Still going down...
...then we traverse a metal walkway around the rock
...then we traverse a metal walkway around the rock
It takes us to the Mirror Wall
It takes us to the Mirror Wall
Then to the spiral staircases
Then to the spiral staircases
These go up and down to frescoes decorating the rock face
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
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
Back at the bottom, we explore the Cistern Rock
The Cistern Rock
The Cistern Rock
Frogs in the cistern
Frogs in the cistern
Near the Audience Hall
Near the Audience Hall
Boulder Arch
Boulder Arch
Cobra Hood Cave
Cobra Hood Cave
Cobra Hood Cave
Cobra Hood Cave
Carved plaque 4th -5th century
Carved plaque 4th -5th century
Buddha image 8th - 10th century
Buddha image 8th - 10th century
Buddha image 5th - 7th century
Buddha image 5th - 7th century
Female deity 5th - 7th century
Female deity 5th - 7th century
Lion 13th - 14th century
Lion 13th - 14th century
Reproductions of the rock frescoes
Reproductions of the rock frescoes
Frescoes that represent apsaras (celestial nymphs) or...
Frescoes that represent apsaras (celestial nymphs) or...
...King Kasyapa's concubines
...King Kasyapa's concubines
Frescoes
Frescoes
Lots of macaques
Lots of macaques
Macaques
Macaques
Macaques
Macaques
Having a wee drink
Having a wee drink
Using the power cables to get around
Using the power cables to get around
Elephant ride
Elephant ride
Beer and cocktails on the river
Beer and cocktails on the river
Fun restaurant
Fun restaurant
Oxen pull carts...
Oxen pull carts...
...for village tours
...for village tours
We stayed at Jungle Path Lodge, aptly named
We stayed at Jungle Path Lodge, aptly named
Cheers from Sigiriya
Cheers from Sigiriya
Cheers
Cheers