Sigiriya https://2hungrywanderers.com/ en The best elephant safari in Sri Lanka - full guide to Kaudulla and Minneriya https://2hungrywanderers.com/best-elephant-safari-sri-lanka-full-guide-kaudulla-and-minneriya <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <h1 class="page-header">The best elephant safari in Sri Lanka - full guide to Kaudulla and Minneriya</h1> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--post.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" about="/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">2hw</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--post.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sat, 10/03/2020 - 00:14</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--extra-field-block--node--post--links.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node.html.twig * block--extra-field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodepostlinks clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1587.jpg?itok=KTpFiij- 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1587.jpg?itok=7z9zN4zV 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1587.jpg?itok=94dcvO5X 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1587.jpg?itok=KTpFiij-" alt="The best place for an elephant safari in Sri Lanka - all the info you need about Kaudulla and Minneriya" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--body.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostbody clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--post--default.html.twig * field--node--body--post.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Located close to some of Sri Lanka's main historic sites are two excellent opportunities to observe the local wildlife and have an amazing experience in nature. Those two national parks are famous for being the best spots to see large herds of elephants, plus countless other animals and birds. Located right next to each other, they do have a lot in common, but there are some differences too. Keep reading on how to choose which one to visit on your safari and why you should definitely do so.</p> <oembed><a href="https://youtu.be/Wv10ahc3KZs">https://youtu.be/Wv10ahc3KZs</a></oembed><h2>How to visit a national park and how to choose a tour?</h2> <p>The parks do not offer any services directly, so you have to hire a private ride. There are plenty of operators in the area, but it is advisable to do your own research as prices vary greatly. Some have better vehicles, but a higher price doesn't guarantee this, if you want to be sure what you get - ask to see a photo of the jeep (that's what the modified off-road vehicles used for safaris are called). Most companies offer safaris in both parks, and some even can take you to both on the same day.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="babies stay close to their moms" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c241b82c-ebf6-4c8c-9eb2-53427eccd0fa" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1568.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1568.jpg?itok=jO0AYltN 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1568.jpg?itok=kGUkbaSz 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1568.jpg?itok=pPJCXvIe 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Babies stay close to their moms</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>Our advice is to choose a safari tour in advance. A simple Google search will give you lots of options - get in touch, check their availability and prices. You can always ask your accommodation to help you organize it, our host, however, was most unhelpful in this matter. Some people recommend to go to the park and find a ride there, I cannot recommend this option unless you are prepared to get whatever vehicle is available at whatever price they ask. Negotiating may be easier if you know what the prices are in advance. It is also possible to spend the time to go there just to find that no jeeps are available.</p> <p>Usually, the tours include transport from your accommodation. If you have your own transport and want to save some money, the cheapest option should be to drive yourself there and meet at the park entrance.</p> <h2>What is the best starting point?</h2> <p>Anywhere in the Cultural Triangle will do! It doesn't make a big difference if you are staying in Polonnaruwa or Sigirya, even Dambulla is not too far and the centrally located Habarana is closest to both parks. All these cities are good places to add an extra day for a wildlife safari and plan a visit to one of the national parks. Here are the distances and time needed according to GoogleMaps, which is usually very accurate.</p> <table><caption>Distances between the national parks and nearby cities</caption> <thead><tr><th>From/To</th> <th>Kaudulla</th> <th>Minneriya</th> </tr></thead><tbody><tr><th>Sigiriya</th> <td>48 min / 39 km</td> <td>26 min / 20 km</td> </tr><tr><th>Polonnaruwa</th> <td>46 min / 34 km</td> <td>47 min / 37 km</td> </tr><tr><th>Habarana</th> <td>27 min / 24 km</td> <td>11 min / 9 km</td> </tr><tr><th>Dambulla</th> <td>52 min / 45 km</td> <td>37 min / 31 km</td> </tr></tbody></table><h2>When to do the safari?</h2> <p>The majority of tours are called "half-day" and start either in the morning or in the afternoon. All people we've talked about this have recommended the afternoon as there is a higher chance to see more animals and especially elephants. They tend to wander for a bath and to drink water before sunset, after spending the day hidden in the shade. Of course this means more people and more jeeps will be hoping for the same, so afternoons also get more crowded.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Just a part of the largest herd we saw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eaa43f69-457c-4e8e-a4e5-e6b36dc7b135" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1602.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1602.jpg?itok=2FZsL7NF 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1602.jpg?itok=L_57UvEb 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1602.jpg?itok=YseSZsbu 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Just a part of the largest herd we saw</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>To minimize the crowds of people it is advisable to avoid the weekend and especially public holidays. That is the time when locals swarm from the big cities and the parks can get really busy.</p> <p>Don't forget that this is not a zoo, so your luck plays a big role in your experience - one day visitors may see hundreds of elephants, the next - just a few.</p> <h2>How much does it cost?</h2> <p>The total cost is comprised of two elements - the national park fee and the safari tour. Both Kaudulla and Minneriya national parks have the same pricing as the majority of wildlife parks in Sri Lanka. For the entrance, you will have to pay the sum of:</p> <ul><li>$10 per person for foreigners</li> <li>$8 service charge (per group)</li> <li>40 LKR entrance fee for your driver, locals pay about 50 times less than us</li> <li>250 LKR vehicle fee</li> <li>8% tax on the sum of the above</li> </ul><p>When we visited Kaudulla, for us two the total entrance fee was about 6000 LKR.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01452a93-e5cb-4cff-a20f-30673d8b2f39" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1680.jpg?itok=O2BdGXxr 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1680.jpg?itok=c7inL2XB 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1680.jpg?itok=jGFh7dOQ 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1680.jpg" alt="elephant safari" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>For the tour, it makes a big difference if you do it in a shared jeep or you prefer to hire a private just for you. Most offers we got for a private half-day tour were between 4000 and 6000 rupees, again this depends on many factors like the season, type of the jeep and your haggling skills. A seat in a shared jeep goes around 1000-2000 rupees, but those are not always available. </p> <h2>So, should I visit Kaudulla or Minneriya? Where are the elephants?</h2> <p>It's time for the most important question - which park is better? Which gives you better chances to see more elephants? Honestly, there is no easy answer. All kinds of stories have been shared online regarding what people experienced or were told about the parks. A common opinion is that Minneriya used to be more popular, so it got more crowded. There are stories about drivers getting too close to elephants and even vehicles being attacked. Blessed by ignorance people claim that one park has way more elephants than the other. Some even say that many elephants have left both parks in recent years. </p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfb13bd7-3629-4b39-9f6b-be8e81df8fc9" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1651.jpg?itok=HHjzWZjm 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1651.jpg?itok=ozd7UzGb 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1651.jpg?itok=TjaP9sms 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1651.jpg" alt="elephants at the water" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The truth is that the situation changes. The elephants are free to move between the areas and they do so as they please - because the grass is greener, or there are fewer intruders or just because they want to. Instead of reading advice from years ago, just ask the tour operators. People who drive through the parks on a daily basis have the complete, fresh picture. We chose Kaudulla because a helpful driver told us that there are much more elephants there than in the other park and he was right. They have no reason to lie, as the prices are basically the same.</p> <h2>Elephant gathering</h2> <p>The Gathering is an event when an unusually high number of elephants come together in one place. Usually animals migrate according to their mating seasons, but the reason for the largest elephant "convention" is different. In Sri Lanka, July and August are the peak of the dry season. The weather is hot, rain is rare and rivers and lakes dry up, forcing the large animals to move closer to water sources.</p> <p>The huge mammals need a lot water to survive. The average adult elephant will drink about 100 litres per day, but it is not uncommon to double this amount, especially when it is hot and sunny. </p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Most of the time males roam alone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2291a926-2199-4552-8e1c-a8766fa2fbef" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1667.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1667.jpg?itok=eP0wR0zl 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1667.jpg?itok=x7F1Ti6H 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1667.jpg?itok=j2hYakAF 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Most of the time males roam alone</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The two national parks of Minneriya and Kaudulla are the perfect "summer getaway" for elephants, with dense jungles and large water reservoirs. Most elephants from central Sri Lanka spend several months there resulting in the largest in the world gathering of Asian elephants. The numbers vary, but it is common to reach 300-400 at times.</p> <p>Your best chance to observe The Gathering is during or right after the peak of the dry season. Reports from previous years stretch the dates from June to September, but it all depends on the weather.</p> <h2>Our visit to Kaudulla National Park</h2> <p>We got picked up from our hotel in Sigirya at 13:30 and were at the parks entrance before 14:30. Ten minutes later we were lucky to see the first small herd of elephants, four females and a couple of babies happily grazing under some trees in the distance. Absolutely lovely picture, but we were not impressed yet, just hoped our luck didn't run out so soon.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Keep your camera ready at all times" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aab8e7f2-4afe-48fe-b5fb-756bc33dea99" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1764.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1764.jpg?itok=lGSTdfw0 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1764.jpg?itok=sSUryjyJ 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1764.jpg?itok=nWFH8TWu 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Keep your camera ready at all times</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>Soon after this, on a curve of the road, our driver slowed down, stopped and pulled back a little bit. A group of four grey giants was just coming out of the jungle just a stone throw away from us. A small group with one baby hiding between its moms legs, but this was our closest encounter so far, a truly exciting moment! We watched them for a while and continued our ride, our guide pointing some large storks in the distance.</p> <p>If we knew what was waiting for us we wouldn't have wasted time with the birds. The first big herd - about 30 elephants were literally on the road ahead of us. Our driver got us as close to the animals as possible without disturbing them. After watching the group and taking lots of photos we eventually had to turn around and go along a side road as they were blocking the main one.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Not many have beautiful tusks like this one" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46136012-55b7-494c-9c5a-ffe454109d70" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1703.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1703.jpg?itok=xMPZxxTU 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1703.jpg?itok=n9Zm0cH- 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1703.jpg?itok=BoKPG-0j 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Not many have beautiful tusks like this one</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>In the next 2-3 hours we encountered several single males roaming the park, other groups of elephants, watched two separate herds merge at a lake where some bathed and others just drank water, even saw some who had tusks. Along the way there were other animals like deer, crocodiles, several species of monkeys and plenty of birds, making the tour more complete. Observing just a single wild elephant in nature is something that can make your day, we were lucky to see about 150 of them in just one afternoon. An absolutely amazing experience!</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-date-visited.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-date-visited clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-date-visited--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited--post.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-date-visited field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Date Visited</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'time' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> <time datetime="2020-08-10T12:00:00Z">August 2020</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> </div> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="row bs-2col"> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-destinations.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-destinations clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Destinations</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-destinations--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations--post.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-destinations.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> <ul class="field__items_list"> <li><a href="/destination/asia" hreflang="en">Asia</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sri-lanka" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/dambulla" hreflang="en">Dambulla</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/polonnaruwa" hreflang="en">Polonnaruwa</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sigiriya" hreflang="en">Sigiriya</a></li> </ul> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--right"> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--comment.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostcomment clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Comments</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--post--default.html.twig * field--node--comment--post.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--block-content--33e89c58-379a-4510-9f42-cd3599b682d0.html.twig * block--block-content.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-block-content block-block-content33e89c58-379a-4510-9f42-cd3599b682d0 clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--block-content--body--basic.html.twig * field--block-content--body.html.twig * field--block-content--basic.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><div class="loginBtnSocialDiv"> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--facebook"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/facebook">Login with Facebook</a> </button> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--google"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/google">Login with Google</a> </button> </div></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> Fri, 02 Oct 2020 21:14:55 +0000 2hw 115 at https://2hungrywanderers.com https://2hungrywanderers.com/best-elephant-safari-sri-lanka-full-guide-kaudulla-and-minneriya#comments Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views https://2hungrywanderers.com/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <h1 class="page-header">Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views</h1> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--post.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" about="/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">2hw</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--post.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sat, 10/03/2020 - 00:08</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--extra-field-block--node--post--links.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node.html.twig * block--extra-field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodepostlinks clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-08/XXX_1772.jpg?itok=bbzeXt5J 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-08/XXX_1772.jpg?itok=mzaEuVP8 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-08/XXX_1772.jpg?itok=GGDnsj8G 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-08/XXX_1772.jpg?itok=bbzeXt5J" alt="Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--body.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostbody clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--post--default.html.twig * field--node--body--post.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>When visiting the popular Sigiriya Fortress, you will almost definitely hear about the nearby Pidurangala rock, and even if you don't, you can't miss the scenic hill, which is located just 1 km as the crow flies from the main attraction. When reading about this place one can easily get confused by the conflicting opinions about it. Is it very difficult to climb? Is it overpriced? Is it unfairly ignored by many? Here we will tell you the truth about Pidurangala, so you can decide if and how to enjoy this site.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ce954462-7bf3-49f1-bf6a-99eca4576749" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--109--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--109.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="109" role="article" about="/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/mixm.jpg?itok=4kx3g9A_" width="100" height="67" alt="The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat" hreflang="en">The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <h2>Going in... is it worth it?</h2> <p>Finding the place is easy enough by following the directions on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/7BWGvcrJa81Lxt2t5">GoogleMaps</a>. Prepared for a hike with good shoes, hats and water we got to the entrance of the temple, where visitors are required to take off shoes and hats to enter (carry them through the monastery section and put them back on at the start of the trail). There we were met by a grumpy staff member who collected the entrance fee of 500 LKR per person. Of course, this applies to foreigners only, but we also got a leaflet saying "Thank you for your donation" and vaguely hinting our money will be used for good causes. Many tourists claim the fee is too high and I tend to agree. It also feels like Pidurangala is piggybacking on the fame of the nearby top attraction and have embraced the opportunity to fleece even more the tourists who paid the extremely high fee for the fortress. Keep reading, so you can decide for yourself if the 500 rupees is money well spent or you prefer not to visit the site. I am personally on the fence.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Just a portion of the scenic views from the top" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4bf051b7-da49-4544-a49d-a3ea1af6017e" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1781.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1781.jpg?itok=DIwUjWob 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1781.jpg?itok=ii6CoD4W 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1781.jpg?itok=s1icArL2 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Just a portion of the scenic views from the top, Ritigala Mountain in the distance</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><h2>Should I just climb Pidurangala rock?</h2> <p>Some people say that you can just visit Pidurangala and skip Sigiriya Fortress, which makes sense financially, but I can't agree with the whole idea. Yes, the side attraction is a lot (more than 11 times) cheaper than the main one, but it can only be considered a close match when talking about nature views. Read our post to find out about all the unique things you can see in the admittedly overpriced, but rich in history Sigiriya Fortress.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="79c151c2-5191-47c1-9bcb-0b6a6e16ea3d" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--110--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--110.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="110" role="article" about="/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/XXX_1083_1.JPG?itok=1o0rAWuf" width="100" height="67" alt="Lion's Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more" hreflang="en">Lion's Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <h2>The temple</h2> <p>There have been Buddhist monks living in the area for more than 2000 years, but the same king who built Sigiriya Fortress, Kasyapa (477-495 A.D.), built the Pidurangala Monastery and the place became a religious centre. Today it is a small and not very impressive temple with the usual bodhi tree, a dagoba and some ruins.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a16e740-b273-4c55-afc6-1417ea30e234" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1834.jpg?itok=fzA3iwlL 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1834.jpg?itok=Q_pv2JjB 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1834.jpg?itok=5ITMbSYr 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1834.jpg" alt="image house" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The main attraction there is a small image house covering a colourful statue of a reclining Buddha. The interior of the building is also decorated and some paintings look like they are heavily inspired by the Sigiriya Ladies frescoes. The artist tried to outdo the originals but managed to do so only in chest size, failing in the quality department.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Left: Pidurangala temple decorations | Right: Originals at Sigiriya Fortress" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a1e58a03-9656-45ff-938f-8371e688a42c" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/ladies.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/ladies.jpg?itok=v2NrFM_J 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/ladies.jpg?itok=Kfpc5BSI 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/ladies.jpg?itok=GVrnBS7s 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Left: Pidurangala temple decorations | Right: Sigiriya Fortress</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><h2>The first stage of the climb</h2> <p>Right after the image house, following the path going up the hill people are allowed to put their shoes and hats on, and so we did this, ready for the climb. Some people claim it took them several hours to climb the rock, the leaflet itself gives an estimate of 2 hours. With that number in mind, we started the path, which is uphill (surprise?) but not unpleasant - wide and clean, with lots of steps. We consider our fitness level to be about average, so we were mentally prepared for several hours of walking.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="caves" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="667de5f4-61c8-4f9f-a525-4f75a6486716" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1810.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1810.jpg?itok=NyalX_KK 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1810.jpg?itok=EuQxkL-0 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1810.jpg?itok=Dl4ZE_kF 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Empty caves with paint traces on the ceiling</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>Walking past some drip ledge caves, in less than 15 minutes we got to a larger cave, which marks the end of the "easy" path. Inside the cave is a 12.5 meters long statue of a reclining Buddha made out of bricks. The statue has been destroyed in the past, but restored in recent years and now is a curious sight because some sections of it are bare brick, others are covered in white plaster, one can say that the brick Buddha is wearing only pants and a left sleeve.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="51979366-9887-482e-b3b6-830f4e0ea05c" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1809.jpg?itok=H7il1pmJ 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1809.jpg?itok=Nt4pCmzl 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1809.jpg?itok=LV2qwbDj 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1809.jpg" alt="Ancient brick Buddha statue" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>Looking at the time, we were a bit confused because we got to this spot so early, but at this point assumed that the more difficult part of the path to the top is longer.</p> <h2>The second stage of the climb</h2> <p>Took a sip of water and we continued uphill, following the now narrow and squeezed between boulders path. Almost immediately we met two local men coming downwards, both were barefooted and carrying their bike helmets in their hands. One had a bag in his other hand. Even more confused, we asked them how far is the top and they said that it was just over there, pointing to the rock behind them. Well, if somebody without shoes and stuff in both hands got to the top, it was fair to assume it wasn't a two-hour climb.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="The path is clearly visible" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="91192739-fdda-490d-a37f-2a5e88e08e8c" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1797.JPG" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1797.JPG.jpg?itok=zlTmrj00 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1797.JPG.jpg?itok=2nJbvYYm 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1797.JPG.jpg?itok=PDgFybjK 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">The path is clearly visible...?</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>We continued going up and yes, we had to climb some big rocks and make several small jumps from one boulder to another, but we got to the top in about 5 minutes from the brick Buddha, 20 from the start of the path. That's right, the total amount of time an average person needs to go up and down the Pidurangala rock is about 40 minutes, not including time for breaks and photos.</p> <p>Here is the place to say that if you have any limitations regarding mobility, for example, if you can't climb a smooth rock that is about 1 m high or jump the same distance, you probably will not be able to reach the top. This, unfortunately, means you will miss out on the best part - the views from above because almost all the path is through a forest and doesn't offer good vantage points before reaching the end.</p> <h2>At the top</h2> <p>Of course, the first thing one notices up there is the awesome view towards Sigiriya Fortress. The legendary rock stands out, powerfully demanding attention at a perfect distance - both far enough to be admired completely and close enough to see details. Unfortunately, the lion's paws of the main staircase are not visible, hidden by the trees around them, but the higher sections of the staircase can easily be spotted, as well as some of the ruins at the top. We just looked at it and tried to imagine what it was like centuries ago when the gigantic lion was perfectly visible from there and the palace/monastery of Sigiriya stood like a crown on the stone outcrop.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Sigiriya Fortress" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d4060788-174b-4490-a3dd-12ef9f615ec9" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1793.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1793.jpg?itok=e0gkWErP 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1793.jpg?itok=J2xkq2Bo 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1793.jpg?itok=LpRa8CJx 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Sigiriya Fortress</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>When you are ready to take your eyes off the fortress you will discover that climbing Pidurangala was worth it, even just for the sweeping views of the jungles and lakes around. We were lucky to be there on a clear day with good visibility, all the way to Ritigala mountain, which is 20 km away (straight line).</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Can you find the stupa?" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23e63afa-52d7-4276-8c3f-67af34999f57" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1784.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1784.jpg?itok=yNE7PIp4 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1784.jpg?itok=vPU64zz5 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1784.jpg?itok=fdHXBOyk 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Can you find the stupa?</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>Exploring the top is also a nice way to relax, the sloped rock was not suitable for large scale construction like its famous neighbour, but the ancient people have left their mark there as well. Two small stupas are now just piles of bricks being taken over by cacti. Looking at the ground we discovered some very symmetrical channels in the rock, probably used to hold wooden foundations of buildings.</p> <h2>When to visit Pidurangala?</h2> <p>The good news is that whatever time you pick to climb the rock, you will have something nice to look forward to.</p> <ul><li>Sunrise - considered a must-do by many. Watching the sun come up from such a high vantage point is guaranteed to reward you with great memories. Sigiriya Fortress will be bathed in the first rays, a sight surely worth getting up early.</li> <li>Daytime - most people choose this option because it is easier to plan, so might get crowded. More sunlight means more heat as well as better visibility in all directions.</li> <li>Sunset - watching the sun set behind the fortress is surely a magical moment. If you are lucky you might get a multicoloured Sri Lankan sunset on top of that - countless hues of yellow, orange and purple sometimes create unbelievable scenes.</li> </ul></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-date-visited.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-date-visited clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-date-visited--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited--post.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-date-visited field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Date Visited</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'time' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> <time datetime="2020-08-11T12:00:00Z">August 2020</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> </div> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="row bs-2col"> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-destinations.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-destinations clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Destinations</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-destinations--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations--post.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-destinations.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> <ul class="field__items_list"> <li><a href="/destination/asia" hreflang="en">Asia</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sri-lanka" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sigiriya" hreflang="en">Sigiriya</a></li> </ul> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--right"> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--comment.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostcomment clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Comments</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--post--default.html.twig * field--node--comment--post.html.twig * 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field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><div class="loginBtnSocialDiv"> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--facebook"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/facebook">Login with Facebook</a> </button> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--google"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/google">Login with Google</a> </button> </div></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> Fri, 02 Oct 2020 21:08:51 +0000 2hw 111 at https://2hungrywanderers.com https://2hungrywanderers.com/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views#comments Lion's Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more https://2hungrywanderers.com/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <h1 class="page-header">Lion&#039;s Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more</h1> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--post.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" about="/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">2hw</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--post.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sat, 10/03/2020 - 00:08</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--extra-field-block--node--post--links.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node.html.twig * block--extra-field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodepostlinks clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1083_1.JPG.jpg?itok=Tvijg7Xq 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1083_1.JPG.jpg?itok=iSCzg3AZ 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1083_1.JPG.jpg?itok=cxBpzk0L 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1083_1.JPG.jpg?itok=Tvijg7Xq" alt="Lion&#039;s Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--body.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostbody clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--post--default.html.twig * field--node--body--post.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Also called the Lion's Rock, The Eight Wonder of the world and included nearly in every "Top X places to visit in Sri Lanka" list, Sigiriya Rock Fortress is undoubtedly one of the country's most famous attractions. This UNESCO world heritage site has a lot to offer and here I will walk you up and down the rock and will show you all of the popular and some of the less known sights.</p> <p>Lion's Rock Fortress is the main attraction in the small town of Sigiriya, for more things you can do there check our article</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ce954462-7bf3-49f1-bf6a-99eca4576749" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--109--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--109.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="109" role="article" about="/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/mixm.jpg?itok=4kx3g9A_" width="100" height="67" alt="The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat" hreflang="en">The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <p>Many mysteries surround the history of the famous area. There is evidence that people have lived there since prehistoric times, but many theories exist about the remains of the buildings we see today. The most popular and established theory is that Kasyapa was not the rightful heir, but he took over the throne from his father King Dhatusena by force in 477 AD. As the supporters of the rightful king expected strong support from India, King Kasyapa (477 - 495 AD) moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya, a place he turned into an impenetrable fortress-palace and a prosperous city developed around it. The majority of buildings that are visible today have been built during this period. </p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ee4d723-55ad-4dee-81af-ae9a119fe525" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1235_1.JPG.jpg?itok=NdOEDQQL 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1235_1.JPG.jpg?itok=CkWZN3xx 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1235_1.JPG.jpg?itok=_-S2__iZ 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1235_1.JPG" alt="stupa" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>People rarely talk about Sigiriya without mentioning the high price of the attraction, I have left this discussion as the last point in my article, wanted to focus on the positives first.</p> <p>An early start is a good idea because the top of the rock has almost no shade at all. I have arranged the points of interest in the same order as one would reach them by going up the main path, but in fact, we rushed to the top first and I recommend you do the same if you prefer to spend less time climbing in the midday heat. After this, the lower levels and gardens offer some shade and exploring them is a pleasure.</p> <h2>Water gardens</h2> <p>Walking from the main entrance of the complex towards the rock the first area visitors enter is the water gardens. The main path is also an axis of symmetry for the pools, just the ones on the right side are restored, but most of the left side is untouched in recent centuries. These gardens are a true technological achievement of the ancient people as the fountains and lakes are fed and drained by a complex system of canals, dams and pumps, both underground and on the surface. Now, as many centuries ago, they are a wonderful opportunity for a relaxing walk.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fa986a79-5390-4a3f-afbd-5576a206b640" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1275.JPG.jpg?itok=h7ZpxIPs 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1275.JPG.jpg?itok=cADkxaXl 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1275.JPG.jpg?itok=wEwibkJv 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1275.JPG" alt="Water gardens" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>There are some man-made islands in the gardens, where a secondary palace has been built. The palace is still awaiting to be fully excavated and currently, the islands are off-limits for tourists. We joked that maybe the king didn't like going up and down to the main palace, so he built the "summer" palace to avoid the long climb.</p> <h2>Boulder gardens</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf66c30a-637f-4d8d-b655-7feb3304863a" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1090.JPG.jpg?itok=eYLC0xsP 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1090.JPG.jpg?itok=CI7sS9SB 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1090.JPG.jpg?itok=bP-AXA8m 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1090.JPG" alt="Sigiriya boulder gardens" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>One of the most mysterious areas in Sigiriya, the huge boulders here form many passages and caves that have been used for millennia. To what degree their current position can be attributed to the people who build the palace is unknown. Many of the boulders have holes and flat surfaces that were probably used to support the foundations of buildings. Some of the caves hold interesting remainders of the past - altars or stone beds, brick walls and traces of colourful paintings. At least an hour can be spent just exploring this area and wondering what it actually looked like when it was inhabited by the royal court, or later - by monks.</p> <h2>Terraced gardens</h2> <p>The lower section of the hill between the boulders and the Lion's paws has been transformed into flat gardens using brick walls, similar to rice terraces. This gardens must have had a more functional role as they lack the beauty and sophistication of the water gardens and the history of the boulders.</p> <p>While walking along the main path you will encounter an important intersection, unfortunately without any indication where each direction leads. Straight is the path towards the top of the hill, our advice is to do this first. If you choose the right path, it will take you to the mirror wall and frescoes gallery. There the path is narrow and marked as one-way, which was not enforced when we visited, but maybe during busier times, people will not be allowed to go back. This will mean a very long detour, if you go to the frescoes first and want to climb the rock afterwards.</p> <h2>Lion's paws and staircase</h2> <p>On the highest terrace is the monument most often used to represent Sigiriya - two paws of an enormous lion framing the foot of the staircase leading to the rock summit. Sadly, just the front paws remain of what must have been an amazing statue with the staircase going right into the lion's mouth.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c7dacee8-f826-4ea9-94f9-68f40f71e41d" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1102_1.JPG.jpg?itok=OaKPUHGD 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1102_1.JPG.jpg?itok=cYva7AlA 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1102_1.JPG.jpg?itok=jR5MGpXA 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1102_1.JPG" alt="Lions paws" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>What follows is the main climb, so the lion's paws are not just a photo opportunity you should not miss, but a chance to catch your breath before going up the numerous steps. Older reports mention a dangerous and difficult climb over the original steps carved in the rock, but now there is a metal staircase with rails on each side that feels safe and solid. </p> <h2>The summit</h2> <p>Reaching the highest point was a tiny bit of a letdown. The views are awesome in every direction, closest and easiest to spot of the nearby landmarks is the Pidurangala rock.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="Pidurangala rock" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bb08118b-9bdd-4c29-836b-7678a12b7dbd" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1117.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1117.jpg?itok=tTMG7MEA 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1117.jpg?itok=G2Xsjt6Y 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1117.jpg?itok=95CuhXxd 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">Pidurangala rock</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>What is left from the buildings on top is just restored foundations, which fail to impress, with just a couple of exceptions. A large bathing pool is the centre of attention, looks like nobody leaves without taking some selfies with it. I got the impression, that locals consider it the only note-worthy place at the summit. The central pond is surrounded by brick staircases which indicate the scale of the buildings that once covered the tall rock.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de82e376-b98e-4dd3-af91-5998901d594b" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1133.JPG.jpg?itok=OPpCF7Gt 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1133.JPG.jpg?itok=6FkISdOf 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1133.JPG.jpg?itok=Di_ZK-EO 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1133.JPG" alt="The summit" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>A perfectly smooth throne is carved out of the rock remains in situ, a large rectangular surface with in-built back support which may even be called a "cushion". Strangely, it is not in a central position, but currently sits in what looks like to have been a hallway.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16f6745b-58a2-4ae9-a7b2-4190f55cf6ba" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1173.JPG.jpg?itok=kY5zOfei 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1173.JPG.jpg?itok=ZzCmwJ3Z 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1173.JPG.jpg?itok=kp2IDZZQ 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1173.JPG" alt="throne " typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>Apart from those, the top doesn't offer much more to see, so the best approach is to head for the higher vantage points and feel free to skip walking around the whole place.</p> <p>Going down the steps is much easier and soon you will find yourself at the intersection we mentioned earlier in the terraced gardens. Head left and soon you will reach the Mirror Wall, walking past it will take you to a spiral staircase leading to a unique art gallery.</p> <h2>Mirror wall - Sigiriya Graffiti </h2> <p>A long time ago the tall brick wall was covered in white plaster and polished so perfectly that the king could see his reflection when walking past it, hence the name - Mirror Wall. It is still super smooth in some spots, but the no longer reflective surface is even more interesting now. A visitors book of sorts, the wall contains over 1800 writings from ancient tourists scribbled over a period of 800 years and the oldest have been dated as far back as the 8th century.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64bacea4-aca6-4f2e-9961-61701b19bfe3" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1186.jpg?itok=DPejsz44 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1186.jpg?itok=NCe7CNRG 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1186.jpg?itok=r__6FUHq 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1186.jpg" alt="Mirror wall - Sigiriya Graffiti " typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The texts give a unique insight into the history of Sri Lanka as many people included their names, professions and home towns. Hundreds of different authors have been identified so far, most of which had higher social position - government officials, teachers, priests, high ranking soldiers. It is not clear if travelling used to be a privilege for the rich or simply the lower classes visited the place as well, but did not "sign the guest book" due to being illiterate.</p> <p>The contents of the writings cover a wide range of emotions from simple "I was here" through expressions of astonishment from the site to truly inspired poetry. The wall holds many poems praising the beauty of the semi-naked ladies from the paintings. A great example of art inspiring art, between the scribbles, there are numerous verses proclaiming love, adoration and worship of the heavenly women.</p> <h2>Frescoes - the Sigiriya Ladies</h2> <p>Ancient texts mention vast areas of the rock covered in paintings depicting over 500 women, which surely has been one of the largest works of art on the island. Today only eighteen of the beautiful damsels remain in a small niche on the western side of the rock, most likely protected from the elements by their location.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c279d3a-3319-47ec-8691-763018bc994d" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1190.JPG.jpg?itok=nX8mHAzs 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1190.JPG.jpg?itok=lmpGHehm 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1190.JPG.jpg?itok=KiZgc9Hf 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1190.JPG" alt="Frescoes - the Sigiriya Ladies" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The Sigiriya Ladies are a true masterpiece, a celebration of female beauty, there are intricate details in their jewellery and faces. Many carry flowers as part of a religious ritual, most are smiling. The artist put a really strong emphasis on their femininity by portraying them topless and with cup sizes guaranteed to attract attention.</p> <p>Many questions about those paintings remain unsolved - for example, they are dated back to the Anuradhapura period, but the style of applying paint is different from the rest of the artwork from that age.</p> <p>The biggest mystery is the identity of the ladies. Some believe they are portraits of King Kasyapa’s wives and concubines, this theory is supported by the fact that every woman has distinct facial features. Others are convinced that the beautiful ladies are in fact priestesses or goddesses because they are represented sitting on clouds, a common attribute of divine creatures.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'filter_caption' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --> <figure role="group" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center"><span class="caption-span"> <img alt="100 rupees note from 1954, featuring the Sigiriya ladies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="27d91b49-f55c-4cc4-b0af-07d289d110db" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/XXX_1290.jpg" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1290.jpg?itok=exFmT0uw 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1290.jpg?itok=FcGK7A6a 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/XXX_1290.jpg?itok=sqarcYsX 1000w" typeof="foaf:Image" /></span> <figcaption class="figure-caption">100 rupees note from 1954, featuring the Sigiriya ladies</figcaption></figure><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/filter-caption.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>During the excavation of the historic site, archeologists have found clay figurines very closely resembling the painted ladies. Considering their mass production, it is assumed they were sold as souvenirs to the visitors in ancient times.</p> <h2>Is Sigiriya Rock Fortress worth its high price?</h2> <p>The entrance ticket for foreigners is $30. It is the most expensive tourist attraction in the country and many people do not think this price is appropriate. It is even higher than the 5-day pass for Bagan in Myanmar, which is $25 and exploring a whole valley with thousands of temples over five days gives you incomparably more in every aspect than climbing the fortress.</p> <p>After visiting Sigiriya I agree, it is a nice place and worth visiting, but the price is way too high. I think for that price tourists deserve at least some signs pointing to the different spots and information boards that are not faded and almost impossible to read. Accepting credit cards would be nice too, but I guess the owners of the high-fee ATM on site are quite happy with the "cash only" policy.</p> <p>Also, it might be just me but they could've used some of our money to do something about the huge wasp hives instead of just putting up warning signs.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="35f234b0-abdc-4d85-84a6-ee4884717e66" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--111--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--111.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="111" role="article" about="/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-08/XXX_1772.jpg?itok=cOZJKQA4" width="100" height="67" alt="Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views" hreflang="en">Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <p>To make things even worse think about the difference in the ticket cost depending on your nationality. For foreigners, the $30 are converted to rupees based on the daily rate, on our visit we had to pay 5640 LKR per person. Locals pay 50 rupees. Yes, we pay 113 times the local fee. I generally understand and approve double pricing, foreigners being charged two, three, five times more is something I never complain about, but more than a hundred times is just insulting.</p> <p>The decision is yours - if you are on a tight budget, just skip the famous rock, but if you are set on visiting the top attractions get your wallet ready.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-date-visited.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-date-visited clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-date-visited--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited--post.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-date-visited field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Date Visited</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'time' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> <time datetime="2020-08-07T12:00:00Z">August 2020</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> </div> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="row bs-2col"> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-destinations.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-destinations clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Destinations</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-destinations--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations--post.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-destinations.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> <ul class="field__items_list"> <li><a href="/destination/asia" hreflang="en">Asia</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sri-lanka" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sigiriya" hreflang="en">Sigiriya</a></li> </ul> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--right"> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-gallery.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-gallery clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Gallery</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-gallery--post--default.html.twig x field--node--field-gallery--post.html.twig * field--node--field-gallery.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-gallery.html.twig * field--image.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--field-gallery--post.html.twig' --> <div class="field field-node--field-gallery field-name-field-gallery field-type-image field-label-hidden has-multiple"><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-1 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1107.JPG.jpg?itok=0IwkGWb7 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1107.JPG.jpg?itok=BJQe1Iqk 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1107.JPG.jpg?itok=p5mJmkwh 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1107.JPG.jpg?itok=0IwkGWb7" alt="The staircase" title="The staircase" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">The staircase</figcaption> </div> </figure><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-2 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1162.JPG.jpg?itok=g3qdQPkG 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1162.JPG.jpg?itok=0mqBWwYq 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1162.JPG.jpg?itok=7qzRJRWI 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1162.JPG.jpg?itok=g3qdQPkG" alt="Bathing pool" title="Bathing pool" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">Bathing pool</figcaption> </div> </figure><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-3 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1177.JPG.jpg?itok=YG-oyYsr 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1177.JPG.jpg?itok=vOlsppBA 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1177.JPG.jpg?itok=UMDDfBmr 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1177.JPG.jpg?itok=YG-oyYsr" alt="View at the top of the rock" title="View at the top of the rock" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">View at the top of the rock</figcaption> </div> </figure><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-4 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1189.JPG.jpg?itok=76ZyAGoB 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1189.JPG.jpg?itok=Ml7XybEv 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1189.JPG.jpg?itok=6aQcJufM 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1189.JPG.jpg?itok=76ZyAGoB" alt="Sigiriya Ladies frescoes" title="Sigiriya Ladies frescoes" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">Sigiriya Ladies frescoes</figcaption> </div> </figure><div class="adsense_gallery"> <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- po-sveta.com [responsive] --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6470203795457618" data-ad-slot="8094012753" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-5 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1218.JPG.jpg?itok=D583eh-l 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1218.JPG.jpg?itok=bn5NC1Ev 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1218.JPG.jpg?itok=R_V2OMwN 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1218.JPG.jpg?itok=D583eh-l" alt="Meditation bed and a platform on a rock" title="Meditation bed and a platform on a rock" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">Meditation bed and a platform on a rock</figcaption> </div> </figure><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-6 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1241.JPG.jpg?itok=3d1h3jvK 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1241.JPG.jpg?itok=fghSZmP0 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1241.JPG.jpg?itok=rfbNv8SZ 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1241.JPG.jpg?itok=3d1h3jvK" alt="A whole building was perched on this boulder at some point. Now only the holes that supported the foundations remain." title="A whole building was perched on this boulder at some point. Now only the holes that supported the foundations remain." typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">A whole building was perched on this boulder at some point. Now only the holes that supported the foundations remain.</figcaption> </div> </figure><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-7 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1277.JPG.jpg?itok=EFfemkDn 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1277.JPG.jpg?itok=Daky19d0 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1277.JPG.jpg?itok=XBytzkTv 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1277.JPG.jpg?itok=EFfemkDn" alt="Pool in the garden" title="Pool in the garden" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">Pool in the garden</figcaption> </div> </figure><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-8 caption caption-img" role="group"> <div class="field-type-image__item"> <span class="caption-span"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1282.JPG.jpg?itok=y4G8XQfh 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1282.JPG.jpg?itok=vuhLWCt2 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1282.JPG.jpg?itok=qzROtTXi 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/XXX_1282.JPG.jpg?itok=y4G8XQfh" alt="The moat around the fortress" title="The moat around the fortress" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </span> <figcaption class="field-type-image__figcaption figure-caption" property="schema:description">The moat around the fortress</figcaption> </div> </figure></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--field-gallery--post.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--comment.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostcomment clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Comments</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--post--default.html.twig * field--node--comment--post.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--block-content--33e89c58-379a-4510-9f42-cd3599b682d0.html.twig * block--block-content.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-block-content block-block-content33e89c58-379a-4510-9f42-cd3599b682d0 clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--block-content--body--basic.html.twig * field--block-content--body.html.twig * field--block-content--basic.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><div class="loginBtnSocialDiv"> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--facebook"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/facebook">Login with Facebook</a> </button> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--google"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/google">Login with Google</a> </button> </div></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> Fri, 02 Oct 2020 21:08:49 +0000 2hw 110 at https://2hungrywanderers.com https://2hungrywanderers.com/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more#comments The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat https://2hungrywanderers.com/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <h1 class="page-header">The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat</h1> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--post.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" about="/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">2hw</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--post.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sat, 10/03/2020 - 00:08</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--extra-field-block--node--post--links.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--extra-field-block--node.html.twig * block--extra-field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodepostlinks clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/mixm.jpg?itok=Q2TQ5BV_ 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/mixm.jpg?itok=-gl-man5 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/mixm.jpg?itok=-t64MNu5 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/2020-10/mixm.jpg?itok=Q2TQ5BV_" alt="The top (and only) 3 things to do in Sigiriya and where to eat" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--body.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostbody clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--post--default.html.twig * field--node--body--post.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Sigiriya is a very small town, about 180 km north-east of Colombo and is part of what is known as the "Cultural Triangle" of Sri Lanka. It is home to one of the top tourist attractions in the country and surprisingly little else, but keep on reading to see what the town has to offer. There are tons of articles listing "Top 10" or "20 amazing" things to do in Sigirya, the truth is they either list areas of Sigirya Rock as separate entries or include other towns and attractions hours away. If you are trying to pick your next stop after Sigirya, the relatively close towns of <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/destination/polonnaruwa">Polonnaruwa </a>and <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/destination/dambulla">Dambulla</a> are great choices.</p> <p>There are three reasons to include Sigiriya in your itinerary in Sri Lanka and it is time to start with the main one.</p> <h2>Sigiriya Rock Fortress</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e284f874-b97a-4346-9445-1a30b3c98192" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix1.jpg?itok=VF0DQPWA 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix1.jpg?itok=q3kGnXLj 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix1.jpg?itok=5o6vOdXE 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/mix1.jpg" alt="Sigiriya Rock Fortress" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The most highly praised historic site on the island has remarkable things to offer. The large rock, which geologically speaking is a volcano plug, towering over the surrounding jungle used to be home to a king's palace and later a monastery. Nowadays visitors can see restored gardens, foundations of numerous buildings and a very unusual art gallery which has been a tourist attraction for centuries.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="79c151c2-5191-47c1-9bcb-0b6a6e16ea3d" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--110--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--110.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="110" role="article" about="/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/XXX_1083_1.JPG?itok=1o0rAWuf" width="100" height="67" alt="Lion's Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/lions-rock-fortress-sigiriya-palace-temple-and-more" hreflang="en">Lion's Rock Fortress in Sigiriya - a palace, a temple and more</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <p>The Lion Fortress is as controversial as it is popular. Many people claim that the high entrance fee is not justified, but you can read our detailed post about the fortress and you can decide for yourself. Our advice - if you do not intend to enter the main site, you can just ignore the whole town.</p> <h2>Pidurangala Rock Temple</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d689e2e4-fde5-4e98-a333-223c5f0c7eec" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix2.jpg?itok=dRH_kcCJ 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix2.jpg?itok=RyVTAE_t 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix2.jpg?itok=7iHQVIZh 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/mix2.jpg" alt="Pidurangala Rock Temple" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>In very close proximity to the top attraction, there is a smaller hill with a monastery complex. If you are more interested in nature and scenic views than history and art, the hike there will be a delight. Pidurangala is cheaper and in no way can compare to the historic monuments of Sigiriya Fortress, but regardless - a nice, short hike and a good way to spend several hours.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="35f234b0-abdc-4d85-84a6-ee4884717e66" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--111--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--111.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="111" role="article" about="/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-08/XXX_1772.jpg?itok=cOZJKQA4" width="100" height="67" alt="Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/pidurangala-rock-temple-all-you-need-know-about-hike-price-and-views" hreflang="en">Pidurangala rock temple - all you need to know about the hike, the price and the views</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <h2>BONUS: Small stupas and other archaeological sites</h2> <p>As like any other large central site, Lion Rock has some smaller points of interest scattered around it. It makes total sense that not all ancient buildings were placed in the relatively small area declared as an archeological reservation today. There are many smaller stupas, shrines and other buildings in the area, which have been discovered and at least partially restored. I have to be honest - they will likely fail to impress you after visiting the more popular places, but access to them is free, there are no crowds and the remains still give an indication of the significance this area once had. Majority of those are not even marked on Google Maps, so part of the fun is driving along the roads and looking for the black signs which point to the ancient buildings. </p> <h2>Watch elephants in their natural habitat</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90c6eb66-9907-4d2a-a697-81141be76ce4" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix3.jpg?itok=47DGBoQQ 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix3.jpg?itok=TxamkuUI 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/mix3.jpg?itok=f7SFKrcT 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/mix3.jpg" alt="elephant safari" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>The historic sites in the Cultural Triangle are what brings most people there, but that is not all this part of Sri Lanka has to offer. If you have an afternoon to visit one of the national parks, it is very likely that you will see tens or even hundreds of wild elephants. A highly recommended experience, that will not disappoint you. There are other animals, like deer and monkeys to be seen too, plus many types of birds.</p> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'entity_embed_container' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <div data-embed-button="node" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embeddable_teaser" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6ea99ffa-d88f-4dbe-9391-a7df152682e8" class="align-center embedded-entity" data-langcode="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * node--115--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--115.html.twig * node--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node--post.html.twig x node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * node.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> <article data-history-node-id="115" role="article" about="/best-elephant-safari-sri-lanka-full-guide-kaudulla-and-minneriya" class="post is-promoted embeddable-teaser clearfix"><div class="content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="clearfix bs-2col"> <span class="col-sm-3 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-image.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-image clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-image--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--field-image--post.html.twig * field--node--field-image.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-image.html.twig * field--image.html.twig x field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --><div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_formatter' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> <a href="/best-elephant-safari-sri-lanka-full-guide-kaudulla-and-minneriya" hreflang="en"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image_style' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2020-10/XXX_1587.jpg?itok=Omq89bLW" width="100" height="67" alt="The best place for an elephant safari in Sri Lanka - all the info you need about Kaudulla and Minneriya" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-style.html.twig' --></a> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/image/templates/image-formatter.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> <span class="col-sm-9 bs-region bs-region--right"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--title.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeposttitle clearfix"><!-- THEME DEBUG --><!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --><!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig * field--node--title--post.html.twig * field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --><!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --><div class="embeddable-teaser-title"><a href="/best-elephant-safari-sri-lanka-full-guide-kaudulla-and-minneriya" hreflang="en">The best elephant safari in Sri Lanka - full guide to Kaudulla and Minneriya</a></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--node--title--post--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --> </section><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> </div> </article><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/node--embeddable-teaser.html.twig' --></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/entity_embed/templates/entity-embed-container.html.twig' --> <p> </p> <h2>Food guide to Sigiriya</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'responsive_image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'image' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --> <img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0cfab5cd-217a-4e78-93b8-1a40a0320362" data-responsive-image-style="middle_column" class="middle-column image-style-middle-column img-responsive align-center" srcset="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_520px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/2020-08-10%2018.57.58.jpg?itok=xqvcQwBL 520w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_760px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/2020-08-10%2018.57.58.jpg?itok=vsN48ezg 760w, /sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/styles/w_1000px_wm_optimized/public/inline-images/2020-08-10%2018.57.58.jpg?itok=CdDIxdQ9 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw" src="/sites/2hungrywanderers.com/files/inline-images/2020-08-10%2018.57.58.jpg" alt="egg hoppers" typeof="foaf:Image" /><!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/image.html.twig' --><!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/responsive_image/templates/responsive-image.html.twig' --><p>For a tourist destination, Sigirya is a huge disappointment when it comes to food. There are no supermarkets nearby, just small shops and stalls selling very limited choice of fruits and vegetables.</p> <p>Some hotels may be able to arrange meals for you, but if you prefer to sort it out yourself be ready to drive a bit. </p> <p>There are a couple of restaurants on the main street which offer both local and western cuisine at unreasonably high prices, I can't speak of the quality, but there were no customers when we visited, which is always a bad sign.</p> <p>For most of our meals, we drove about 2 kilometres to the nearby village of Kimbissa. On the main intersection, there is the best option you have for a diner - a nice, very lively and popular restaurant selling local food like curries, kottu, egg hoppers - tasty and reasonably priced. There are also two bakeries open during the day selling, admittedly, limited choice of goods, but everything is fresh and tasty.</p></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-date-visited.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-date-visited clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-date-visited--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited--post.html.twig * field--node--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-date-visited.html.twig * field--datetime.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-date-visited field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Date Visited</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'time' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> <time datetime="2020-08-07T12:00:00Z">August 2020</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/system/templates/time.html.twig' --> </div> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'bs_2col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x bs-2col.html.twig x bs-2col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <div class="row bs-2col"> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--left"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--field-destinations.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostfield-destinations clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Destinations</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-destinations--post--default.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations--post.html.twig * field--node--field-destinations.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig * field--field-destinations.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> <ul class="field__items_list"> <li><a href="/destination/asia" hreflang="en">Asia</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sri-lanka" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="/destination/sigiriya" hreflang="en">Sigiriya</a></li> </ul> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/bs_2hw1/templates/field--field_destinations.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 bs-region bs-region--right"> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/bootstrap_layouts/templates/3.0.0/bs-2col.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'layout__onecol' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: x layout--onecol.html.twig x layout--onecol.html.twig * layout.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--field-block--node--post--comment.html.twig * block--field-block--node--post.html.twig * block--field-block--node.html.twig * block--field-block.html.twig * block--layout-builder.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodepostcomment clearfix"> <h2 class="block-title">Comments</h2> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--comment--post--default.html.twig * field--node--comment--post.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--post.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'block' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * block--block-content--33e89c58-379a-4510-9f42-cd3599b682d0.html.twig * block--block-content.html.twig x block.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> <section class="block block-block-content block-block-content33e89c58-379a-4510-9f42-cd3599b682d0 clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--block-content--body--basic.html.twig * field--block-content--body.html.twig * field--block-content--basic.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><div class="loginBtnSocialDiv"> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--facebook"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/facebook">Login with Facebook</a> </button> <button class="loginBtnSocial loginBtnSocial--google"> <a href="https://2hungrywanderers.com/user/login/google">Login with Google</a> </button> </div></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/block/block.html.twig' --> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/layout_discovery/layouts/onecol/layout--onecol.html.twig' --> Fri, 02 Oct 2020 21:08:48 +0000 2hw 109 at https://2hungrywanderers.com https://2hungrywanderers.com/top-and-only-3-things-do-sigiriya-and-where-eat#comments