Climbing Sigiriya Rock at Dambulla, Sri Lanka
We checked out around 8 am at the Euro star Hotel on the 10th day of our Family refreshment vacation. We started our drive to Dambulla from Colombo after our breakfast while our driver checks in from another hotel, yet he arrived on time and picked us. We rented a car with its driver, which served as a tourist guide for our whole week’s stay in Sri-Lanka.




After breakfast, we drove to Dambulla to see the famous tourist attraction of Sri-Lanka. We slept for around 3 hours while on the road trip as we arrived the previous night so late at Colombo. Then stop by this local restaurant by lunch before we continue to our destination.


SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS
After hibernating in our car while on the way to Dambulla, we gained so much energy for our next stop, children were playing inside the car and cant wait to go. After less than an hour for more drive, we arrived at Sigiriya rock entrance. Before we climbed, we bought a ticket for all of us. The price for each person for foreign tourists (adults and children) is indicated on the counter. There were no long lines during our visit, so we got our ticket so fast.
According to the locals of Dambulla, Sigiriya Rock is referred to as the world’s eighth wonders. The forest swallowed an ancient Archeological palace and the most visited Sri Lanka place; we think it is lovely. The rock was said to be formed because of an extinct volcano emitting magma, which is 200 meters higher from the ground. It gives a beautiful view when you reach the summit, one of the reasons it attracts tourists from all over the world every year.





It is dangerous in this part, but we managed to pass the semi bridge. Realized later that there is another safer way to get inside the murals. Taking pictures of the painted women on the walls is prohibited, but it was just a portrait of the women said to be the king’s wives. The area is being protected or guarded by local staff, ensuring no photo will be taken from that place.


The Sigiriya rock has a lion designed, but the lion’s upper body is not detailed during our visits. Only the Lion claws are visible. Based on my readings, the lion rock was built by a King in the fifth century and became the Unesco World Heritage site in 1982.

We decided to let my husband go up the stairs alone. We also feel that it’s dangerous for small kids to go up higher as it’s crowded because of the two-way people going up and down the stairs.

On our way down the ancient rock, our son caught the attention of the cobra. Just after we passed the Cobra cave, a man with a flute offering to any tourists the snake dance show, controlling the snake without biting him. Paid him to show it to the kids and performed the flute, the snake being hypnotized going high up the air.

The man assisted our son took a picture with the other snake in his basket. Our son was bravely holding on to the snake while it rested on his neck. It looks like our son enjoyed watching the python rather than climbing up the Sigiriya rock. The man required every tourist to pay for 300 rupees, but we gave him 500rupees since we took some time playing with the snake.


After a tiring journey from Sigiriya rock, we asked our driver to drop us at our next hotel. Our driver turned to be as the tourist guide waited for us at the Sigiriya rock entrance and called him once we arrived at the ground.
SIGIRIANA RESORT BY THILANKA
Our home for three nights and three days in Sri Lanka, booked via Agoda, included the free breakfast. The hotel staffs are so friendly and assisted us from the day we arrived until we left their vicinity. The ambiance is perfect as it is situated in a farm-like place with forestry vibes everywhere we look. They have a pool, but we didn’t bother to swim because of the rainy season during our visits.




We got a shower right away at the hotel and went to the restaurant at 6 PM. Children were so hungry and can’t find any kids snacks at the store during our tour. Not familiar with the Sri Lankan foods somehow, so we can’t buy anything that will suit our stomach.


Overall we enjoyed our first-day mini-adventure in Sri Lanka. As usual, we went to bed early to prepare ourselves for another physically challenging tour on the next day. Keep following until we finish this family refreshment vacation story from us. Thank you for reading.
Discussion
New Comments
No comments yet. Be the first one!