Sri Lanka: Dambulla & Sigiriya

Dambulla is a small town with a big monastery. Outside you have nice views, sporty climbs and mischievous monkeys. Inside you have 5 caves in different sizes but with the same type of Buddha statues. There is also a very big one on top of the modern museum.

On the bus to my destination, Sigiriya, I meet Nicolai from France. We decide (in French) to stay at the same place, the very relaxing Nilmini Lodge. We don't have enough time to go to the rock complex, and decide to check a neighbouring Pidurangala Rock. The climb starts easy but quickly escalates to a real challenge were we have to jump from rock to rock to reach the top. But the great view of our goal for tomorrow makes it all worthwhile!

However, our immediate goal is finding the way down and this proves quite difficult. Especially with increasingly loud noises (pigs, monkeys, leopards?) from the jungle! After backtracking we find the right road just before it gets dark.

The next day we leave early for Sigiriya Rock. This is actually the name for an Unesco Herritage Site compromising a museum, ruined gardens and the rock itself. We are reminded of the mischievous behaviour of monkeys when we see one of them stealing the sandwiches from a group of girls. But something else concerns us more, HORNETS! The entire site is filled with signs like 'keep silence in the area, wasps attacks are likely' and 'when an attack of waps occur the ticket fare will not be refunded'...

On route to the summit we pass the pleasant gardens, lovely paintings, mighty lion pawns and the HORNETS!

Luckily they are not awakened and we reach the top safely enjoy the amazing views.

While everything is quite tiring because of the heat and the many steps, it's only 1 pm when we get back. I leave for my scheduled safari while Nicolai is going for a lazy afternoon. Kaudulla national park forms a duo with Minneriya, together housing some 200 roaming elephants. Sometimes they escape and wreak havoc on the farmers in the area! I have been a bit spoiled last year in Tanzania, because this park isn't as big and varied as Serengeti. But still it is impressive to see so many elephants at the same place.

The day ends with a quest for beers, which could only be served in the dark back corner of the restaurant. Eating curry is less frowned upon, so we could sit next to a funny white wall, filled with tourists messages from all over the world (even Belgium)!

For me this day was the highlight of the entire trip! All the different parts on the Sigiriya site form a perfect whole and tell you the history of the people living around this impressive magma rock. The many elephants, good food and great company all contributed to an amazing experience. Merci Nicolai! :)