Tuna
Tuesday 13 August 2013
Today was a big tick day. We went to Sigiriya, a really big rock with amazing ruins around and on top. There are many stories and theories on what the ruins were from. One popular story/myth was that it was built as a fort in 477 AD for the local king with the ruins on top a garden and palace. However archaeological analysis and evidence doesn’t quite agree with this and points to a monastery built around 3rd century BC which by the 10th century AD was an important monastery.
It is a stunning place, only marred by the hordes of tourist, I suppose it is to be expected but it would be really nice if we had it to ourselves.
Anyway, the place is amazing and we had a really good day. We asked if we could not have a local guide to see this. We find that with a guide we don’t have enough time to really look around but just get moved to the spots they want within their timeframe. We also kinda like just being by ourselves.
We wandered up a path and found a bunch of monkeys. They were all crowded around a small bath carved out of the rock. We wanted to have a look in so edged closer. There were monkeys having a swim. Only problem is that one of the males didn’t like us being so close so snarled at us. My heroic Albatross snarled right back, whilst backing away.
On the way down we stopped and watched the man with the cobra and python.
A quick lunch and we headed back to our hotel, a rather swish place built against a rock face. Feeling exceptionally sticky, smelly and hot we had a quick dip in one of the pools.
We are trying to dry some of our laundry on the balcony. The only problem is that have to keep a really close eye on it as the monkeys around here are very keen on stealing it. We’ve seen at least three that keep just going for a stroll past to see if we are watching.
Time for another Long Island Iced Tea and dinner.