Saturday 10th February

We’d organised for a driver to collect us at 9am and set off to Danbulla Caves. It took nearly 3 hours although we did make a couple of stops; one to a wood carving shop, the amazing thing here was the rainbow wood demonstration. Literally one piece of this wood grated finely can create numerous colours, essentially they file the wood to fine shavings which look like turmeric then they then mix with water, it turns pink. They then take a metal file smeared with fresh lime, the water turns deep purple, next they added copper sulphate (I think) which turned it back to bright yellow and then after that I wandered off. Back in our car, being driven slowly by our cautious driver Ranjit, onto the next stop which was to sample something called Curd by the side of the road. It was utterly delicious, basically it’s a cross between yoghurt and crème brûlée served with honey… finally back in the car and the caves at Danbulla are in sight. Strangely we have to drive to a ticket office which is well away from the main site, from there you climb many steps up to the caves. Inside a series of caves a number of Buddha’s have been installed and the ceilings and walls elaborately painted. It’s definitely pretty hot but once on the hill top the wind gets up and provides a bit of relief. As we’re collecting our shoes, James has a bit of a moment with a monkey. We walk back down the hillside to the large gold buddha and finally find Ranjit, who actually found us by coming up behind us and asking us whether we’d like a taxi! He has a great sense of humour and does speak very good English, certainly much better than we speak Sinhalese. Back in the car he checks whether we want to stop at the gem factory (it was a unanimous No thanks!) and after about 30 minutes we reach our hotel In Sigiriya, we’re staying at Ekho Sigiriya. It seems nice and is certainly quieter than the other place we’ve just stayed. Relaxed by the pool reading for a bit, a quick swim and then some yoga under the trees. We head out for an early dinner at Wijesiri Family Restaurant for yet more rice and curry, I had veggie curries and J had vegetarian noodles. I just can’t face eating meat here!! Back to have a shower, do some laundry and then an early night as we’re up at 5am tomorrow to climb Sigiriya Rock (also known as Lions Rock).