We arranged for an early breakfast and for a tuktuk to arrive at 7:30 so we could get an early start on the climb up to the top of the rock. I don't know how many steps there are, but its an ascent of 370 meters with very few stopping places along the way. The views are stunning. About halfway up there is a long corridor of painted frescoes of very voluptuous ladies. One could almost say Barbie-like with those round big breasts (implants?) and tiny waists. On the opposite wall (known as the mirror wall, for unknown reasons), there is some very old 6th to 14 th century graffiti extolling their beauty. The graffiti is of historical importance as it shows the development of the Sinhala language.
There seems to some disagreement was to whether there was ever a palace up,on the top. certainly there was a monastery and there are many meditation caves all around different sides of the rock, at different levels. its a pretty arduous climb, but well worth it for the ruins and the view. Nearly at the top, there is lion staircase believed to have been used by the king, probably King Kassapa(477-495). No lion's head, but impressive feet. After the descent, there are boulder gardens and water gardens, all incredibly peaceful. Oh, and a snake charmer too.
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