Fishermen, Ancient Palaces & Monkey Kingdoms – Day 5 in Sri Lanka.
She Said:
But first, we had a five-hour drive ahead of us, leaving the sunny south coast for the heart of the island.
Our first stop was an unexpected treat: watching local fishermen pulling massive nets out of the ocean. And let me tell you, this isn’t a one-man job. It’s an all-hands-on-deck, community effort that takes over four hours. FOUR.
Speaking of fresh, we also saw how they sell the fish straight off the nets—and let’s just say, it’s not for the faint-hearted (or the overly squeamish).
But soon, the weather turned. Clouds rolled in, the sky darkened, and by the time we reached Dambulla, the heavens opened up with a torrential downpour that would make Noah himself nervous.
Maybe the rain would stop. Maybe the clouds would clear. Maybe the universe had a better plan for us.
We stopped for lunch to regroup, and sure enough, as soon as we finished, the rain vanished, the roads dried up, and the conditions turned perfect. The sun stayed behind the clouds (hello, great lighting for photos!), and the heat let up. It felt like the universe was saying, “Go, you’ve earned this!” And oh, what a reward it was.
Sigiriya is every bit as magnificent as it looks in photos—but the stories it holds are even more dramatic than the rock itself.
Picture this: In the 5th century, King Kashyapa seized the throne by killing his father in a brutal coup. His half-brother Moggallana fled to India, vowing revenge. Knowing that payback was coming, Kashyapa turned this towering rock into his fortress of ultimate protection—and indulgence.
It’s a reminder that even the grandest dreams can crumble, but the legacy they leave behind can still inspire awe centuries later.
He Said:
A new day, a new adventure!
Day 5 of our Sri Lanka trip kicked off with some morning yoga in the hotel room (because, priorities) and a fantastic breakfast to fuel up for the day. Then we said goodbye to our jungle retreat and hit the road toward Sigiriya—one of the most famous and mysterious sites in Sri Lanka.
But first… a detour!
On our way, we stopped to watch a group of fishermen hauling in their catch from the nets they had set the night before. It’s a slow, labor-intensive process that takes a couple of hours, with the human chain growing longer as the net gets closer to shore. The heavier it gets, the more people—fishermen, fish sellers, random bystanders—jump in to help. The anticipation builds, and when the net finally emerges from the waves, it’s like unwrapping a surprise gift from the ocean.
A chaotic but mesmerizing scene unfolds as the freshest fish go up for sale right there on the side of the road. Customers line up, ready to snatch the best catch before anyone else. No middlemen, no fancy market stalls—just fish, ocean air, and a whole lot of haggling.
From there, we continued toward Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress that’s basically Sri Lanka’s answer to Machu Picchu.
Sigiriya – A Royal Story of Power, Paranoia & Betrayal
Rising 200 meters above the surrounding jungle, Sigiriya is this mind-blowing rock fortress built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century. But here’s where it gets juicy: Kashyapa wasn’t exactly the rightful heir to the throne. Nope—he overthrew his own father, had him buried alive, and then, terrified of revenge from his brother (the actual rightful heir), he built this impenetrable palace-fortress on top of a massive rock.
And when I say “palace,” I don’t mean some modest little fortress. The guy went all in. He designed water gardens, fresco-covered walls, mirror-like surfaces polished to shine, and even an enormous lion-shaped entrance (hence the name Sigiriya, which means Lion Rock). Basically, the ultimate paranoid king’s hideout.
But plot twist—his brother eventually did return… with an army. In the battle that followed, Kashyapa’s troops abandoned him, and in true dramatic fashion, he fell on his own sword. Just like that, his grand palace became abandoned, left for nature to reclaim. Today, it’s one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular UNESCO sites, with ruins of his throne, gardens, and ancient paintings still intact.
Climbing Sigiriya was breathtaking—not just because of the history, but because of the views from the top. The whole jungle spreads beneath you, lush and endless. The ruins still whisper stories of the past, and it’s easy to imagine what this place must have looked like in its prime.
That being said, my personal highlight? The real rulers of Sigiriya—its monkeys and stray dogs.
These guys own the place. Monkey families lounge on the steps like they’re running a five-star resort, grooming each other, playing, and stealing snacks from clueless tourists. The dogs roam around, looking like they’re on an important mission, but mostly just enjoying life. Watching the monkeys interact was fascinating—they’re fearless, moving with a confidence that says, “Yeah, we live here. You’re just visiting.”
We had hoped to stay for the sunset, but the clouds had other plans. So, we headed back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest, ready to see what Sri Lanka had in store for us next…
