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Message: <blockquote data-quote="netlife007" data-source="post: 15245383" data-attributes="member: 79514">That's racy cave paintings, elephant orphanages, 200m fortress and beautiful Sri Lankan beaches<img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g113/netlife007/pic1_zps5d160dbc.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />“DON’T worry! It’s not a problem!” beamed the guard at his little table perched halfway up the side of the astonishing Sigiriya rock fortress. “Everything is OK,” he grinned while shaking his head, “You CAN’T come in.” We’d left the tickets he required with our guide who, thanks to a sudden fit of the vapours, was waiting for us in the stunning landscaped water gardens at the base of the 200metre-high rock. But this being Sri Lanka, our guard couldn’t simply say NO. Smiling, he continued politely to block our way to the top. A very civilised stand-off. For it wasn’t just the incredible views across miles of lush Sri Lankan countryside that had taken our breath away. We’d been climbing giant stone steps and winding along narrow pathways for nearly half an hour in blistering heat and none of us fancied walking all the way down to get our ticket stubs. Minutes later — with a queue growing behind us — a solution arrived in the form of another guide, again beaming, sweating and carrying our precious tickets. With the papers correct, our guard welcomed us up the spiral staircase for the final push to the top. <img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g113/netlife007/pic2_zps474ff82a.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Racy ... cave painting at fortressPausing only to admire a cave and its 1,500-year-old racy paintings of topless Sri Lankan beauties, we toiled onwards and upwards past the giant carved lion’s feet that once marked the entrance to this incredible palace complex. And then finally, we went up some terrifyingly tiny stairs with the thinnest of rails to the summit. The views — and the blessed breeze — were worth every sweaty second of the climb. Little remains of the palace itself, bar a few stones and an amazing natural pool filled with blue water, but the views were stunning. From wide terraces at the top of the rock we drank in the verdant forests, lazy rivers and even a giant, gold Buddha perched on a hilltop in the distance. But as incredible as Sigiriya is, it was the Sri Lankans themselves who had me captivated. Criss-crossing the country to take in the best of its sights in just three days, I was bowled over by the friendly welcome from the cricket-loving people.We’d started our journey in chaotic capital Colombo as the city welcomed the return of British Airways flights after a 15-year absence. The new route will make discovering this incredible island sitting just off the southern tip of India a lot easier for Brits. I had just a few days to take in the highlights but travellers MUST take their time and tour. .</blockquote>

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