📍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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Hotel Reviews, UK · January 24, 2022

Staying at Unplugged Rest near London (Cabin Review)

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If you’ve ever wanted to throw your phone away and run away to the woods you’re not alone. It’s something I have mentioned time and time again (especially over the last two years of the pandemic). 

Being constantly connected and contactable can become overwhelming from time to time. And, if you’re anything like me, feeling the need to respond and reply to the world within a split second can also get a bit much. 

Each time I’ve said  “I want to quit the world and move alone to the woods” my boyfriend has politely reminded me that running away to the woods forevermore is just a tad dramatic (he’s right). But the concept of a unique off-grid escape (just for a few days) really appealed to me. After some research, I came across the amazing Unplugged Rest, which specialises in off-grid cabin escapes just a stone’s throw from London.

Unplugged Rest

Who are Unplugged Rest?

Unplugged Rest was created by Hector and Ben, two ex tech start-up workers who were suffering from corporate burn-out (something I think a lot of us can relate to at the moment). 

Upon leaving the tech world and after a trip to a silent retreat in the Himalayas, Hector left feeling inspired. Upon Hector’s return from the Himalayas, he reunited with Ben, where they both discussed the idea of a digital detox. Once the ideas got flowing, Unplugged Rest was born, and the rest, they say is history. 

Unplugged Rest has been created with the hardworking and constantly connected in mind, by founders who have very much been there and done that. The basic concept of Unplugged Rest is that guests lock their phones away in a box for 3 days, replace this with an old school Nokia (for emergencies),  disconnect from the online world and reconnect with nature and themselves

Unplugged Rest


How much does it cost to stay at Unplugged Rest?

Cabin stays are for 3 nights and prices range between £390 for check-in on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday or £420 for check-in on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

What amenities can I find at Unplugged Rest?

In the cabins you are provided with everything you need for an off-grid stay and digital detox: 

  • Loose-leaf English breakfast tea
  • Loose-leaf Camomile tea
  • Coffee beans from Dark Arts
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Small fridge, 2-ring gas hob & sink
  • Coffee grinder & filter
  • Loose-leaf teapot
  • Cutlery, wooden spoons, scissors, chef knives & chopping board
  • Bottle opener, grater, peeler
  • Plates, bowls, mugs, cups
  • 2 Frying pans, lidded saucepan, colander
  • Washing up liquid & scourers
  • Tea towel
  • Shower & off-grid toilet
  • 2 Bath towels, 1 hand towel & shower mat
  • Shampoo, body wash & hand wash
  • Toilet rolls
  • Wellies & umbrellas in the metal storage box at parking/drop off
  • Trolley to help carry items also at storage box
  • Picnic bench, parasol & 2 wooden lounger chairs
  • Firepit & grill with BBQ tongs
  • Phone lockbox with map, compass, torch inside
  • Instant camera with 10-photo film (this is such a lovely touch) 
  • Firewood, kindling & firefighters for wood-fired stove
  • Radio/cassette player with cassettes
  • Board games & books
  • Bed linen, pillows

NOTE: There are no plug sockets at the cabins, but you will be provided with x2 USB charging points.

**Taken from the Unplugged Rest website

Unplugged Rest

What is there to do near Unplugged Rest?

Unplugged Rest has 8 different cabins spread across different locations that are just an hour or so outside of North and South London. Click here to check out the different locations. 

The aim of the game at Unplugged Rest is to disconnect from the world for a few days. So, whether you want to hike around the local area (Unplugged Rest will provide you with a local area map) or chill out in the Cabin, light the wood burner, play games and read books (also provided) – it’s entirely up to you, as long as you leave relaxed and well-rested!

**Photos featured in this blog are from the Monty cabin.

Unplugged Rest
Unplugged Rest

An honest review of Unplugged Rest

I absolutely love Unplugged Rest’s vision and mission and really feel like they have executed it perfectly. 

For someone like myself who works in the corporate world, and spends the rest of their time creating content, it can feel like the only time I don’t spend on the internet is when I am sleeping. Staying at Unplugged rest is a welcomed break and forces you to disconnect. 

You can see that a lot of thought, time and effort has gone into creating these cabins and curating this experience, from the overall design to the amenities provided such as the games, books and my personal favourite, the polaroid camera.

It’s honestly hard to believe that these cabins are located so close to London as you will feel like you are miles away from the world, and have the choice of not interacting with any other humans. 

You are provided with everything you need for a cosy cabin experience, come rain or shine. When it’s raining you pop the fire on and curl up with a good book and if the weather is in your favour then you can grab the local map and compass provided in your lockbox and head outside for a walk.  

Whilst a 3-day digital detox may fly by and you might find yourself easily slipping back into old habits, Unplugged Rest will teach you a valuable lesson about the benefits of switching off and disconnecting. It’s something that we should all try to incorporate into our lives, and something I’m personally going to make more of a conscious effort to do. 

Does Unplugged Rest sound like the perfect experience for you? If so feel free to book your stay here. 

Unplugged Rest

[Gifted Stay] 

Looking for more unique places to stay in the UK? Well, check out more of my hotel reviews here.

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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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