Control your health

Following from my last post relating to some logistical things to know about traveling in Sri Lanka, I'd like to share with you some info on nice places to stay / visit and stuff to do on the South Coast and in the Hill Country which is where I spent a week. 

I'm regards to our itinerary, we a started in Colombo as it's the capital and major city closest to the international airport. I only allocated about 12 hours (overnight) here as I'd heard from several sources it's a bit of a non-event kind of place. If you're in to exploring markets and Buddhist temples, it might be worth giving yourself more time. After a touch-and-go mission in Colombo, we hit the new Southern Expressway south to the beaches. We made a short stop in Galle, a 17th-century Dutch city-within-a-fort, and continued on to Mirissa, one of the South Coast's most popular beaches. Many people go to Mirissa for the surfing, as well as the opportunity to see whales and dolphins on organised boat cruises. From Mirissa, we had only a short drive to Talalla Retreat, a surf and yoga haven near the beach.

I recently had a week in Sri Lanka and had the most fabulous time! Smiling friendly people, endless beaches, majestic mountains, famous tea, cheap prices, yummy healthy food, and plentiful coconuts - what more could a girl want! 

Before visiting, when I pictured what the landscape would be like in Sri Lanka, I imagined gorgeous palm tree-fringed and golden-sand beaches and vibrant blue water. In reality, it was this plus much more! What I didn't know about was how stunning the centre of the country would be with all its waterfalls, mountains and tea plantations. When you can get uncrowded, picturesque beaches, misty mountain tops and lush greenery as far as the eye can see all I'm one short week, I'd say that's a holiday win! 

....but not just a quick jaunt like the other trips I have done over the past few years.  I'm talking a proper break.  And then I am relocating to another continent.  So really, it's more than just a trip! 

I have lived in Sydney for a little over four years now.  I have absolutely loved getting to know this stunning Harbour City in which I was born and, more importantly, getting so much closer with the amazing family and friends I have here.  

Sydney (and Australia in general) has always been very dear to my heart.  That will never change. I will forever treasure all the incredible experiences and opportunities I had here and all the amazing people I got to spend time with along the way.  But, it's time for me to make a change.

For the long weekend, I went camping with an awesome group of people down the south coast at a place called Bendalong.  When Eb, my gorgeous friend and fellow wellness chick (check out her kick-ass blog - http://everyhealthyday.com/), suggested the idea, I immediately jumped on-board despite the fact that I own absolutely zero camping gear here in Sydney.  This minor snag was quickly pushed out of my head to make room for images of roasting s'mores and sleeping under the stars.  I couldn't wait to get out of Sydney for the weekend and spend three days chilling out in the wilderness.  

Even before beginning to think about how and from where I was going to source a sleeping bag, mattress pad, tent, etc. (you know, the camping essentials), I was making a running list in my head of which foods and snack items I'd need to get me through the weekend without my home fridge and pantry.  Whenever I go on a trip away from home, no matter how long or short, civilized or provincial, I always go prepared with healthy food.  As I had never been camping before in Australia, much less to this particular location, I wasn't sure just how far into the bush we were going to go.  Were we hiking to our campsite or car-camping in a caravan park? Were there refrigeration capabilities or were we bringing eskies? Were there cooking facilities or were we eating from packets?  I had no idea.  I didn't have much time to prepare, so I decided to just organize healthy breakfast foods and snacks and hope for the best for the rest of our meals!  Luckily Eb is a seasoned camper so I knew I wouldn't be the only one steering clear of the hot dogs and going in search of nutritious nibbles.