My first visit to Sri Lanka was 12 years ago on a business trip. During that time, the civil war was still on and army carrying guns were everywhere in the Colombo city. Every 50m, there was a check point and the soldier checked every vehicle entering and leaving the city.
The airport was heavily guarded and security check was mind blogging. Literally they would open your luggage and check every damm thing inside! You need to be at the airport at least 3 hours ahead because of the tight security check.
Situation is better now after the war and everyone is flocking to Sri Lanka, an island of mystery and best known as the Tear Drop of India (The shape of Sri Lanka is like a tear drop if you look carefully on the map)
Two years ago, I made a trip back to Sri Lanka again and took the opportunity to visit the World Herriatge site of Sigiriya - The Lion Rock! I was a bit worry to go there because of the wasp attack. There was an incident that a Malaysian tourist was killed because of wasp. Lucky for me, I survived!
Lion Rock is rich in story. You can read the story in the Google. After visited the site, I am convinced that many great buildings or architectures were built by insane rulers to protect their power! Like the Great Wall of China, Castle of King Ludwig in Munich and many more....
From Colombo to Lion Rock was about 3 hours drive and road condition was not too bad but just slow. We stopped at one restaurant and tried the typical Sri Lanka food, egg hoppers and amused by the "tree man", see photo below.
I couldn't remember the entrance fees to the Lion Rock but foreigner need to pay higher fees. There were tour guides outside the entrance and you could easily get one. The place was huge and you need to walk a fair bit before you reached the toe of the mountain. Then you you need to take stairs up to the peak and on the way you could see precious old wall paintings.
The peak was flat and you could see a small pool that never get dried. The King used to take bath in this pool. From the peak, you could also see a white Buddha statue standing far away. The locals believe the statue was build as landmark so people will not get lost.
I couldn't remember the entrance fees to the Lion Rock but foreigner need to pay higher fees. There were tour guides outside the entrance and you could easily get one. The place was huge and you need to walk a fair bit before you reached the toe of the mountain. Then you you need to take stairs up to the peak and on the way you could see precious old wall paintings.
The peak was flat and you could see a small pool that never get dried. The King used to take bath in this pool. From the peak, you could also see a white Buddha statue standing far away. The locals believe the statue was build as landmark so people will not get lost.
Looks like Putu Mayam !
Egg hopper
This guy will play the instrument to entertain you while you are having your food
Lion Rock from far
At the toe of the mountain
Can you see the Buddha statue?
Wall painting
Wall painting
The pool for bath
The Castle of King Kashyapa
At the peak of Lion Rock
Another View
