Sigiriya: Lion Rock Conquered.

​weather continues to be a bit mixed so we are continuing inland before heading back beach side. 
We left Kandy yesterday. Kandy is the biggest city we've seen yet - it even has a KFC, but alas no Chicken Cottage. 

We didn't explore much of Kandy but we did find a really nice playpark which the kids spent Saturday and Sunday morning in. It was full of slides, swings, climbing frames and loads of playmates so was a big hit. We were the only white people in there but otherwise it was exactly like a play park on a weekend at home - dads on duty and kids running riot. 

We also found a great bar/restaurant - Slightly Chilled Lounge, which had great views over the lake, good food, lovely staff and cold beers and cocktails. And relax...
We have travelled by taxi to Sigirya - the site of the ancient palace of King  Kasyapa built in AD477 it was the ancient capital, built as a city and fortress with a huge lion gate leading to the top of a 200 metre sheer rock.

History lesson over. It has 1200 steps, many of which are slippery rock or rickety iron and is beset with swarms of wasps, thieving monkeys and poisonous snakes. The perfect morning jaunt for a family of 4!
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Anyway, despite the searing heat and the nervous mother we all made it to the top. Jessica walked up every step to the top and Otto walked all but one flight (the steep iron lion staircase near the top). I felt suitably proud of them both and they earned a lollipop for their efforteffortss and a carry down. Thankfully, we had a carrier for one so I could still use both hands coming down. Which helped the nerves somewhat.