📍Pink Beach, Komodo Islands 📍Pink Beach, Komodo Islands
🐕Unfortunately, there are over 3 million stray 🐕Unfortunately, there are over 3 million stray dogs in Sri Lanka. 

🇱🇰This is because owning a dog in Sri Lanka is not the norm thanks to economic issues 

🐶Pretty much all the dogs I encountered over there were sweet, calm and just after a bit of attention (and food). Although rabies in Sri Lanka is on the rise. 

😇Also from what I saw it seemed as though the strays were treated quite well (although I know this is not always the case). 

📖If your interested in learning more, or want to support the cause then give these following charities a follow @wecare_srilanka @animal_sos_srilanka @themightyroarproject

Are you a doggo lover?
Tattoo Story time📖 Basically this was my fault Tattoo Story time📖

Basically this was my fault as I had a little twitch and I moved ever so slightly which is when he said “oh no”. I asked my friend to film some tattoo videos and she caught this gem on camera 😂

The tattoo turned out absolutely fab though and I loveeee it 🐘❤️

Does anyone have any tattoo tales? 

PS when I moved my neck here the needle was very much off me 💉
👩🏽‍🦱Rarely post my TT content on here b 👩🏽‍🦱Rarely post my TT content on here but this video seemed to create some conversation so I thought I would share ✌🏽

Also just want to caveat that I personally don’t think this is unconventional at all, hence why in my voiceover I say “what some people might call” … to confirm some people is not me 😂
I had a couple of comments like this on some of my I had a couple of comments like this on some of my TikToks a few months back when I said I was going on a long trip without my BF. 

🧡One thing I’m super grateful for is my supportive boyfriend no matter how ludacris my ideas.

✈️He loves to travel and explore new places but it’s definitely not on the same scale as me! 

💻 He also doesn’t have a job that gives him the same freedoms as mine does 

🌎we were meant to be apart for 6 weeks but I told him I was extending by a week and it was absolutely fine 

❤️Despite the fact we miss each other he’ll always support my travels whether he can come with me or not.

🍉 If your partner doesn’t support or trust you are they really the one?
Nothing compares to being by the sea 🌊 📍@c Nothing compares to being by the sea 🌊 

📍@carrie.ahangama
🌊🐚Ultimate room views for just £22 a night 🌊🐚Ultimate room views for just £22 a night @pelicanbayahangama  above the @pickledpelican restaurant where you can get very decent burgers🍔

📍Ahangama, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
A little insta VS reality. Exploring days look v A little insta VS reality. 

Exploring days look very different from travel days. And you best believe I spend 99% of my days in my frizzy bun 😅

Anyone else like this?
📍Udawalawe National Park Can never have to muc 📍Udawalawe National Park

Can never have to much elephant content right? ✌🏽🍃🐘
Coming to terms with the fact I’ll never be a cu Coming to terms with the fact I’ll never be a cute insta girl 😂✌🏽

FYI the train was stationary in the second pic of me 😂

Also think I need to say that the first few pics are not mine… but I think that’s pretty obvious right? ©️
🏄🏽‍♀️Sri Lanka’s Surf Towns are call 🏄🏽‍♀️Sri Lanka’s Surf Towns are calling… are you going to answer? 🏄🏽‍♀️

🌊Whilst I didn’t get to surf in Sri Lanka due to a broken toe, I absolutely love watching surfers as a pastime. I think it’s such a cool and impressive sport.🌊

🏄🏼Here are the best places to surf (or surf watch👀)

South Coast (November to April) 

🏄🏽‍♀️Hiriketiya 
🏄🏽‍♀️Matara
🏄🏽‍♀️Ahangama 
🏄🏽‍♀️Midigama
🏄🏽‍♀️Thalpe
🏄🏽‍♀️Mirissa 
🏄🏽‍♀️Hikkadawa
🏄🏽‍♀️Unwatuna 

There are also some smaller beach towns in between the above 

East Coast (May-October) 

🏄🏽‍♀️Arugam Bay 
🏄🏽‍♀️Pottuvil Point 
🏄🏽‍♀️Panama 

Do you fancy trying the surf in Sri Lanka?
🚂The most beautiful train ride the in the world 🚂The most beautiful train ride the in the world 🚂🍃

🇱🇰🚂Tips for the Ella-Kandy/Kandy-Ella train ride in Sri Lanka 

🎟️First Class Ticket = 3000lkr (£7.90)
🎟️2nd Class Ticket = 900lkr (£2.40)

🚂You can buy your tickets from the station the night before but the pre book shuts at a certain time, however you don’t need to worry you can easily buy or tickets on the day just make sure to come at least 30 mins before departure 

🚂I would highly recommend booking 2nd class over 1st 

🚂In 1st the doors should open but all the windows will be shut 

🚂In 2nd the windows will be open and the doors will be shut HOWEVER all you need to do is politely ask the ticket collector and they should open these up for you. (We had such a nice guy on our train who was opening up all the doors for us). 

🚂2nd is WAYYY more fun you can hang your head out the window, everyone is super friendly and you end up getting chatting with all the other passengers on the train. I don’t think we sat down once on this train because of all the socialising 

📸PS A lot of my pics turned out blurry because of how much this train moves. I honestly don’t know how some people have the guts to hang right out of it whilst its moving
🔉Sound On 🔉 The only time is Brits can trus 🔉Sound On 🔉

The only time is Brits can trust the governments advice 😅😅
This was my last sunset in Sri Lanka before I head This was my last sunset in Sri Lanka before I headed to the airport and what a nice little goodbye it was 🧡🍑🍊🦁🌅🌇 @lighthouse_ahangama
🐘Sri Lankan Safari’s🐘🇱🇰 🍃Sri Lan 🐘Sri Lankan Safari’s🐘🇱🇰

🍃Sri Lanka has a number of national parks where you can go on a safari experience🍃

Some of these include

🐊Yala National Park (This is the most popular NP in Sri Lanka for Safari) 
🐊Udawalawe National Park
🐊Minneriya National Park
🐊Wilpattu National Park
🐊Wasgamuwa National Park
🐊Gal Oya National Park
🐊Kumana National Park
🐊Bundala National Park

🐆🧸On the Safari you can expect to see elephants, peacocks, water buffalos, crocodiles and if you are really lucky; leopards and sloth bears!🦚🐘

🚗🍃I have been to both Yala National Park (back in 2016) and Udawalawe (this year). I’d say I much preferred the Udawalawe Safari.

🐆WHY DID I PREFER UDAWALAWE?🐘

🐾It felt more natural 🍃

🟢In Yala the drivers would walkie-talkie each other then there would be a rush of all these jeeps trying to crowd around an animal. My experience in Udawalawe wasn’t like that at all. The only time the drivers would communicate is if they passed each other on a track. 

🧘🏽‍♀️It was a lot quieter in Udawalawe 🤫

 🟢This might have been to do with the time of day (we set off at 6 am) but most of it felt like we had the whole park to ourselves. At one point we were at a huge lake with water buffaloes, two elephants and crocodiles and we were the only jeep there. It was Magical. 

TIPS/RECOMMENDATIONS 💁🏽‍♀️

🦎I would really recommend booking a Stay at Lizard Safari Point in Udawalawe. The rooms are just £15 a night and we booked the tour directly through them and it was the best experience. 

🦎The tour cost about £35-£40 which included 4 hours of safari and entrance to the park. 

🌅Wherever you choose to do your safari make sure you go early morning! 

☔️Also, avoid booking on days when it’s going to rain as apparently the animals will hide!
The 20’s where for budgets and the 30’s are fo The 20’s where for budgets and the 30’s are for Boujee’s ✌🏽

I occasionally will try and share budget tips on here but just know I’m bad at it 😅 the important thing is trying though right?
🌊🏄🏽‍♀️Welcome To Hiriketiya 🏄🏽‍♀️🌊

🌴🇱🇰 Hiriketiya is a small beach town located in Southern Sri Lanka and I fell in love as soon as I stepped on the beach

🎥✌🏽(fun fact: I saw a reel about Hiriketiya on Instagram back in January and instantly knew I had to visit. Sometimes you have to take Insta with a pinch of salt but for some reason, I just knew this would be the place for me and I wasn’t wrong) 

☀️Best things to do in Hiriketya ☀️

Do 

🏄🏽‍♀️Surf Lessons 
🌊Have a chilled day @laplaya.hiriketiya
Swim with Turtles at Batheegama Beach (6 mins drive away)
🤫Visit Silent Beach (20 mins drive away) 
🏖️Visit Dickwella Beach (15 mins walk away) 
🧘🏽‍♀️Do some Yoga @saltypelican 

Eat & Drink 

🧄Garlic Cafe - For the best local food (I think we ate here 10 times in total 😂)
🌊@Mond.Hiriketiya - For good coffee with incredible views 
🇱🇰Dunni’s - To try traditional Sri Lankan Hoppers 
⚪️@Dotsbayhouse - Nice food and a social atmosphere 
🎶@laplaya.hiriketiya - For delish pizza, nice wine and amazing music
🐟Hiriketiya Seafood Restaurant - For a V cheap and nice rice and curry buffet 
🍣@Malupoke_SL - Build your own poke bowls and so so good 
☕️@bahia.srilanka - For good coffee and brunch food 
🚬@smoke.bitters -  Voted one of Sri Lanka’s best restaurants. The food is smoky and the cocktails are bitter… But the prices are very London

Play 

🎸@Dotsbayhouse on a Tuesday and Saturday night 
🕺🏽Zing Bar on a Friday night 

Co-work 
👩🏽‍💻@Verse_collective
🧑‍💻@clicscoliving
👨🏼‍💻@Dotsbayhouse

👩🏽‍🦱All great coworking spots - My personal fave was @clicscoliving just because it was super chilled and had no distractions 

✌🏽😎Hiriketiya is one of those super chilled places where you never want to leave We loved in so much we came back twice. Have I convinced you to visit Hiriketiya? 🌊🌴🏄🏽‍♀️
🌊🏄🏽‍♀️Welcome To Hiriketiya 🏄🏽‍♀️🌊

🌴🇱🇰 Hiriketiya is a small beach town located in Southern Sri Lanka and I fell in love as soon as I stepped on the beach

🎥✌🏽(fun fact: I saw a reel about Hiriketiya on Instagram back in January and instantly knew I had to visit. Sometimes you have to take Insta with a pinch of salt but for some reason, I just knew this would be the place for me and I wasn’t wrong) 

☀️Best things to do in Hiriketya ☀️

Do 

🏄🏽‍♀️Surf Lessons 
🌊Have a chilled day @laplaya.hiriketiya
Swim with Turtles at Batheegama Beach (6 mins drive away)
🤫Visit Silent Beach (20 mins drive away) 
🏖️Visit Dickwella Beach (15 mins walk away) 
🧘🏽‍♀️Do some Yoga @saltypelican 

Eat & Drink 

🧄Garlic Cafe - For the best local food (I think we ate here 10 times in total 😂)
🌊@Mond.Hiriketiya - For good coffee with incredible views 
🇱🇰Dunni’s - To try traditional Sri Lankan Hoppers 
⚪️@Dotsbayhouse - Nice food and a social atmosphere 
🎶@laplaya.hiriketiya - For delish pizza, nice wine and amazing music
🐟Hiriketiya Seafood Restaurant - For a V cheap and nice rice and curry buffet 
🍣@Malupoke_SL - Build your own poke bowls and so so good 
☕️@bahia.srilanka - For good coffee and brunch food 
🚬@smoke.bitters -  Voted one of Sri Lanka’s best restaurants. The food is smoky and the cocktails are bitter… But the prices are very London

Play 

🎸@Dotsbayhouse on a Tuesday and Saturday night 
🕺🏽Zing Bar on a Friday night 

Co-work 
👩🏽‍💻@Verse_collective
🧑‍💻@clicscoliving
👨🏼‍💻@Dotsbayhouse

👩🏽‍🦱All great coworking spots - My personal fave was @clicscoliving just because it was super chilled and had no distractions 

✌🏽😎Hiriketiya is one of those super chilled places where you never want to leave We loved in so much we came back twice. Have I convinced you to visit Hiriketiya? 🌊🌴🏄🏽‍♀️
Instagram post 17972116637147209 Instagram post 17972116637147209
🇱🇰 Postcards Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 7 years aft 🇱🇰 Postcards Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

7 years after my first visit and Sri Lanka still remains one of my favourite places. The beautiful landscapes, nature, wildlife and the people make it one magical Island 🇱🇰🌴

I can’t wait to share with you all my Sri Lanka recommendations but for today here are a collection of my favourite shots 📸
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Christina in the Clouds

Adventure around a 9-5

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City Breaks, North America · March 4, 2020

A Guide to San Francisco – How to spend 3 days in the city

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San Francisco has been on my bucket list ever since watching the series “Charmed” as a little girl, and safe to say this place does not disappoint. 

I stayed at the USA Hostels San Francisco in the Nob Hill area of the city, so naturally, my itinerary is based around this (and the fact that my days began at 7am and finished around 9/10PM).

I’ve done my best to make this San Francisco itinerary a quick and simple list of “To-Do’s” in San Francisco as there is just so much to recommend.

So Here Goes…. 

Day 1 in San Francisco

Lombard Street

-A street that is famous for its steep and sharp winding curves.
-A really quirky street, but what’s more impressive is the view of San Francisco city that you get from the top.

Pier 39

=Pier 39 is most famous for its Sealions, and yes they are cute and, but I personally think the best part about pier 39 is the Lotus Biscoff Cafe.
=I highly recommend the Biscoff Latte.

Alcatraz Tour (Departing from Pier 33) 

-It’s the most popular things to do in San Francisco so MAKE SURE YOU BOOK BEFORE. 
-I booked mine here at it cost me around $50 after booking fee and taxes. 
-Allow yourself around 2/2.5 hrs to visit the island.
– When you get to the island you will be offered an audio pack and headset in your preferred language and will embark on a self – guided audio tour.

Clam Chowder on Fishermans Wharf

-This one is pretty self-explanatory, head back down towards Fishermans wharf and try some of San Francisco’s famous Clam Chowder. 
-There are plenty of restaurants who have this on offer …. So the world is your oyster (or clam LOL).

Ghirardelli Square & Aquatic Park 

-Head down there to get ice cream from the famous Ghirardelli Ice Cream store and sit down by the water. 

Golden Gate Overlook 

-To get here from Ghirardelli square jump in a Lyft as the walk is a little bit too long when you have time constraints.
-From this point, you can catch your first close up view Golden Gate Bridge and then head across to the other side.  
-Most people decide to bike across the bridge but as I’m a picture-taking keen bean I decided to walk. 

Golden Gate Overlook, San Fransisco

Golden Gate Bridge View Vista Point

-Once you get to the other side of the bridge you will be led on to this viewpoint. 
-Not only do you get great views of the bridge but also great views of San Francisco city from across the water. 
-It’s also a really great sunset spot. 

View Vista Point, San Fransisco

Sausalito 

-From the View Vista Point, it takes about 50 minutes to walk down to the Harbour town of Sausalito. 
-It’s a lovely, chilled out town and its another great place just to relax by the water and escape the madness of San Francisco City.
-I decided to head here for a few cocktails: https://barrelhousetavern.com/.

Sausalito, San Fransisco

Battery Spencer 

-Yet another Golden Gate viewpoint but probably one of the better ones in San Francisco (opposite side of the road from the View Vista Point).
-Get a Lyft here from Sausalito – Google Maps can send the driver in the wrong direction so make sure he knows what you’re looking for. 
-Another great sunset spot in San Francisco.

Battery Spencer, San Fransisco

Marshalls Beach 

-By far my favourite Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint in San Francisco, not only do you get the bridge, but you also get the beach.
-To get here you will need to either walk back over the bridge towards the city or head back over to the View Vista Point and catch a Lyft. 
-Get here just after sunset (Twilight) to get the best views (& pictures) 
-It can be quite difficult to find your way back in the dark so just something to bear in mind (Thankfully I found a lovely couple who let me walk with them and jump in their Uber.)  

Marshalls Beach, San Fransisco

Day 2 In San Francisco

Transamerica Building & Financial District

-Take a walk into the financial district to have a look at the city’s skyscrapers.
-The main one I went to look at was the Transamerica Building due to its unusual shape.

Transamerica Building, San Francisco

Ferry Building Market Place

-Here you can visit there Farmers Market and stop for breakfast.
-I grabbed a coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee and THE BEST grilled cheese sandwich from Cowgirl Creamery’s.

Blue Bottle Coffee, San Fransisco

Powell-Hyde Tram Route

-From the Ferry Building walk down to the Cable car Turnaround and take a trip on the Powell-Hyde tram route (1-way will cost $8).
-You can get great views of San Francisco city throughout the journey – Especially of Alcatraz as your riding down the hill towards Fisherman’s Wharf.

Powell-Hyde Tram, San Fransisco

Painted Ladies

-Get off the tram just before it heads down the hill to Fisherman’s Wharf and take the 30-minute walk to Painted Ladies.
-Painted Ladies in Alamo Square is a set of colourful Victorian houses that are backdropped by the San Francisco city centre. 
-Although these houses are the most popular, most of the homes in this area of San Francisco have a lot of character, so make sure you do some off-piste exploring around here. 

Painted Ladies, San Fransisco
Painted Ladies, San Fransisco

Haight- Ashbury

-What I would describe as the “hippy” area of San Francisco (in the space of 10 minutes I was offered free hugs and a poetry reading).
-There are lots of Famous houses in the area, but if you’re a 90’s kid like me the “That’s So Raven” house will grab your attention the most (461 Ashbury Street).
-Spend some time here having a look at the vintage stores and grab a drink at Zam Zam.

Zam Zam Bar, San Fransisco

Twin Peaks


-The walk to Twin Peaks from Haight Ashbury is around 35 minutes, and as “peak” would suggest It’s all uphill so be warned. 
-I arrived here around 50 minutes before sunset. The sun sets behind the peak which means you get a stunning view of the moon rise over the San Francisco cityscape (picture below explains it all).

Twin Peaks, San Fransisco

Day 3 in San Francisco

As I felt that I have seen everything I wanted to see in the San Francisco, on day 3 I decided to tour a 1-day tour of Yosemite National park with Extranomical Tours, It was a really great tour, the guide was knowledgeable and did his best to keep us entertained on the 3-hour drive.

If you wanted to take things a bit slower, you could split days 1&2 across 3 days and get the chance to visit more restaurants and bars (as I know this is something I missed out on).

However, if you are like me and want to cram in everything that’s humanly possible whilst you are on holiday then the Yosemite tour is for you!

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park

Summary

San Francisco is now on my list of favourite cities. Not only are there so many iconic landmarks to see but you can simply get great views, with lots of character, just by walking around this very hilly city (you also get a great calf workout).

Basically, 10/10 would recommend xx

If you enjoyed my tips on San Francisco and are interested in checking out other cities in California. Click here for my guide to Los Angeles.

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How to Spend 1 Day in LA: A Guide to Los Angeles, California

Hello Beautiful

I'm Christina a part-time traveller who is exploring the world around my 9-5. From canyons to coasts, I love all kinds of adventures. I've created this space to provide you with all the travel inspiration and my top tips for seeing more of the world in less time.

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📍Pink Beach, Komodo Islands 📍Pink Beach, Komodo Islands
🐕Unfortunately, there are over 3 million stray 🐕Unfortunately, there are over 3 million stray dogs in Sri Lanka. 

🇱🇰This is because owning a dog in Sri Lanka is not the norm thanks to economic issues 

🐶Pretty much all the dogs I encountered over there were sweet, calm and just after a bit of attention (and food). Although rabies in Sri Lanka is on the rise. 

😇Also from what I saw it seemed as though the strays were treated quite well (although I know this is not always the case). 

📖If your interested in learning more, or want to support the cause then give these following charities a follow @wecare_srilanka @animal_sos_srilanka @themightyroarproject

Are you a doggo lover?
Tattoo Story time📖 Basically this was my fault Tattoo Story time📖

Basically this was my fault as I had a little twitch and I moved ever so slightly which is when he said “oh no”. I asked my friend to film some tattoo videos and she caught this gem on camera 😂

The tattoo turned out absolutely fab though and I loveeee it 🐘❤️

Does anyone have any tattoo tales? 

PS when I moved my neck here the needle was very much off me 💉
👩🏽‍🦱Rarely post my TT content on here b 👩🏽‍🦱Rarely post my TT content on here but this video seemed to create some conversation so I thought I would share ✌🏽

Also just want to caveat that I personally don’t think this is unconventional at all, hence why in my voiceover I say “what some people might call” … to confirm some people is not me 😂
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