Middle-aged flash packers

U

Up early for our visit to the ancient city and settlement of Sigiriya.
I can only describe it as a mini Machu Pichu. It’s amazing and very pretty. The main attraction is the climb up to the top of the rock where part of Kasyapa’s kingdom was built. Kasyapa was a bit of a player as the rather sexy frescos of big bosomed ladies show. You can see them about half way up the rock.
When paying our entrance fee, we yet again suffered reverse apartheid. Let me explain – There is a special entrance for foreigners, a separate car park for foreigners and last but certainly not least, a separate ticket booth where the foreigners can be fleeced. The fee for both of us was 60US dollars. Sri Lankans pay next to nothing. Now, I understand there is a disparity between what the average Sri Lankan earns and the earnings of a “foreigner” but I really think this is taking the proverbial. There is an element of greed in the Sri Lankan government’s mindset which I’m beginning to find unattractive. You know the story about killing the golden goose…
Anyway, we climbed up the rock and it is totally stunning. Fabulous views and just an awesome city. The best so far.
We returned to our room, had a shower, grabbed some lunch, then off to Kandy.
Kandy is only 90km from Sigiriya but it took 2.5hours. Horrible traffic and windy roads made it a long drive.
We are staying at the Sovereign Hotel which is an old tea plantation members club. I love it. It’s all high ceilings and teak floors. It’s a bit faded and run down which is exactly as it should be! I’ve got the most amazing clock on my bedside table.
Steve and I were absolutely gagging for a beer. Did I mention getting a beer is a bit of a mission in Sri Lanka? Hardly any of the restaurants or small hotels have licences so you have to find a specific hotel or bar. There are “grog shops” but it’s like going to a prison to buy it. You purchase it through a booth with iron bars on it – not a fun experience.
Anyway, the manager here suggested “just chilling”, a bar and restaurant owned buy an English guy. (Why is that no surprise?!) Without further ado, a tuktuk was summoned and whisked us away to the Nirvana that is Mike’s bar. Even better, it was happy hour! Yahoo!
Just Chilling has a balcony area that has a great view over Kandy . At first just a few people sat there watching the world go by, but it soon became apparent that everyone had got the nod about Mikes and soon it was overflowing. Drinks were being stockpiled before the end of happy hour and there was a great sense of bonhomie.
Unfortunately that is almost always a sign of hangover horror for the next day and sadly we were not immune.