Climbing Rocks

Next to Sigiriya rock (and I mean really "next to" it), there's Pidurangala Rock. 

From the staircase on Sigiriya

I went there one day when I was bored due to Safari being called off.  I actually thought it was much, much better than Sigiriya itself, at a fraction of the price. 

First, there's a temple where you buy the ticket.  You can look at the frescoes and stuff.

Then you climb.  There are a lot of steps and plenty of nature.

Steps

Hornets' nest

Pretty pretty butterfly!

A pond!

Frogs!

Views!

And a reclining Buddha

It looks like you've reached the end of the trail when you pass the reclining Buddha, but you've actually just got to go off-trail.

Into the rocks....

And this is where it gets tricky--you've got to literally climb your way to the top.  Over boulders and rocks.  It helps to have a guide with you if you're not use to climbing rocks (which I wasn't at that time).  Yes, you literally have to drag yourself up these rocks. 

Then you get to the top.  You get a view of everything, there aren't many people around, and there's a small forest of cactuses and other wildlife you can hang out with for awhile.

This is Sigiriya Rock.

A great view of everything!

The cactus forest

The cactus forest up close.

My tourguide/guest house owner.

I found it much more enjoyable than Sigiriya rock.  Recommended.