Sri Lanka and the Cultural Triangle

After a 5.5 hour ride on crowded roads (with a short break to feed some adorable baby elephants at Pinnawara Elephant Orphanage), an aching lower back and a stressed-out husband from watching our driver pass oil tankers with about 1.5 inches to spare, we arrived at Habarana and the Cinnamon Wild resort.
The place is gorgeous, lush and quiet and full of cheeky monkeys. Unbeknownst to us, yesterday was "Full Moon Day" - a Buddhist holiday each month where absolutely no alcohol is allowed whatsoever. No beers in the bar, no wine at dinner.
Luckily we had bought a bottle of red in Negombo, which we enjoyed a glass of before dinner on our patio. We immediately got into trouble with our upstairs neighbors, who were sitting outside on their terrace, because Victor decided to hold a shouty Facetime conversation with Ped. We apologized and went to the restaurant.
Tuesday morning: The news from the outside world is so incredibly grim and glum, that I cannot even bear to watch the BBC. TV off, it's time to explore Polunaruwa, the 10th century capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO site - which was a fantastic collection of ruins, with a great guide. The architecture reminded me a lot of the Roman ruins we have explored, but they were never here and this (10th C) was a LOT  later - so I guess the Roman influence was ubiquitous by then. Monkeys everywhere!! Such fun!
The Cave Temple - 400 steps to get up to - then Kandy for the train journey tomorrow. We are at a sweet, but worn-out hotel in the hills of Kandy outskirts, with the most incredible views. Train to Ella next.