Dambulla Day 2
It was a 4.30 am muster this morning in order to get to Sigiriya (Lion Rock) to watch the sunrise, but also importantly to walk the 1200 steps in the relative cool of the morning and without the crowds. It was still dark as we arrived and we walked the long path to the rock with what looked like archeological remnants to our left and right, so I was wondering whether it would be worth it…you know how some people get really worked up about an archaeological site, and yet all you can see is a pile of bricks….well then you have some idea of what I was thinking.
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| AI pic of what they believed it looked like originally |
Well, Sigiriya did not disappoint. It was a little challenging at times, not for the muscles but more for the mind! At points it was an open metal staircase, relatively steep and my bifocal lenses did not help…by the time I got to the top, the knee was telling me it was time to rest but my stomach was telling me to stay on hard ground for a while! We climbed the last few platforms to dangle our legs over the terrace walls and watch the sun rise to the east through misty mountains and lineal cloud formations - it was beaturiful. When the sun was fully up the enormity of the Lion Rock was more evident than it had been in the dark. At the top of the rock was once a palace - complete with throne and swimming pool - all built into the rock-a huge feat of engineering and labour and Arni advised it was built into 18 years! I can only imagine it must have been thousands of people and/or they were worked extremely hard!
When we descended, the lion feet were more obvious - we had walked right through them in the dark.
It was back to the hotel for some breakfast and a short power nap before we climbed into the bus for another adventure…but on the way one of the most wonderful things happened. We were driving along the road, and blocking the traffic coming the other way was a wild elephant. He just stood there! The tuktuks were not game to drive past him for fear of him tipping them over, however our big bus posed no problem so we just drove right up to him and I stared a wild elephant in the eye! He was magnificent and looked right back to me. Absolutely magical.
We drove on further to the Village of Murray Kadawala - to watch a Mother/Daughter-in-law combination of master potters who demonstrated traditional Sri Lankan pottery techniques. THey use no machinery - one turns the potter wheel by hand, while the other shapes the pot from local clay. They explained that the process from forming to firing can take 2 to 5 days depending on heat drying the clay pot before putting glaze on. The firing is in an open kiln that they make each time, smoothing the mound of posts with a mixture of rice hay and mud to seal it. It was quite fascinating.
They also served us a local herbal drink made from belly fruit and Jalapa, a sweet treat wrapped in kenda leaves.
Lunch was in a Farmers Rest Hut in a local village. A series of locally homemade vegetables, rice and curried fish, topped of with fresh fruit desert. It was a great experience to visit how genuine locals live, and one of the ladies demonstrated how they weave palm leaves for thatching and how to dehusk the rice and grind it with a grinding stone.
After the walk up and down 1200 steps, a couple of us felt a little spoiling was in order and attended a local Ashram for Ayurvedic Massages - I had the full massage and foot reflexology topped of with a 20 minute steam room….the massage was full body, including head and hair. When that was done the masseur worked on all the pressure points in my feet for another 40 minutes. My skin was buzzing for hours after - all the stimulation was a natural high. I was covered in oil from all the massage and then taken to a steam room that was the hottest I have ever experienced. The floor was covered with need leaves and it was to take 20 minutes. At the 15 minute mark the masseur checked on my - every part of my body, including the soles of my feet were sweating! I stayed another a few minutes before leaving - it was suffocating! I took a cool shower which was wonderful but the skin buzzing is still happening some 6 hours later!
A jeep ride back to the hotel before meeting for a quick drink and dinner with some of the group. It will be a good sleep tonight!
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