Travel Eat Drink Like a Local

Sigiriya is famous for a very high red stone cubic fortress and palace ruins. These are surrounded by the ruins of a network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. It is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescoes). The complex was built by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE), who had siezed power from the rightful heir, Moggallana, who fled to South India. Fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved the capital and his residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura to the more secure Sigiriya. Kashyapa was defeated in 495 CE by Moggallana, who moved the capital again to Anuradhapura. Sigiriya was then turned back into a Buddhist monastery, which lasted until the 13th or 14th century. The walk all the way up to the top and back takes about 1.5 hours. It's very important to carry water and few energy bars for the kids since it gets very hot and you sweat a lot. During the rain season some spots can get slippery. Therefore wearing the right footwear is ...

The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site. Polonnaruwa Rest House on Parakrama Samudraya (Ocean of King Parakrama). We stayed here in December of 2011 for one night. Beautiful location. I believe even the Queen Elizabeth stayed here during one of her visits to Sri Lanka in the good old days. However, the property has not been maintained well. I will not recommend lodging here. Especially the bathrooms are way below standard: wet, mouldy, and dirty. Worth a trip for a Sri Lankan style meal however, just to see the location and monkeys just outside the property. Fishermen on Parakrama Samudraya A local woman washing clothes on the edge of the Parakrama Samudraya wearing traditional bathing woman's bathing wear(Diya Redd...