India days 1-3: first days in holy city of Pushkar + Pushkar Lake + Savitri Temple hike + camel safari

April 15, 2022

I made it to India!! My first days have been packed with wonderful experiences in a small, religious desert town called Pushkar. Pushkar is in the Rajasthan state (the largest Indian state and where most tourists go). I’m focusing on Northern India this trip because I wanted a different experience than Sri Lanka, which I … More India days 1-3: first days in holy city of Pushkar + Pushkar Lake + Savitri Temple hike + camel safari

Sri Lanka days 25-28: last days in Ella + more motorbiking adventures + tea factory tour + Ella Rock hike + secret waterfall swim + trip reflection 

April 10, 2022

Our last days in Sri Lanka were just beautiful. We explored more of Ella, the mountain town in Sri Lanka known as “nature’s paradise.” After checking off some of the more popular/touristy sites during our first three days in Ella, we spent these last days exploring new spots that were more off-the-beaten-path. This brought us … More Sri Lanka days 25-28: last days in Ella + more motorbiking adventures + tea factory tour + Ella Rock hike + secret waterfall swim + trip reflection 

Sri Lanka days 22-24: lively mountain town of Ella + Little Adam’s Peak hike + Nine Arch Bridge + scooter adventures to Ravana Cave + Sri Lanka’s economic crisis

April 5, 2022

After a beautiful start to our reunion in Sri Lanka, Joe and I made it to the mountains for the second week of our trip. We are spending one week in Ella, a lively town in the highlands known for its picturesque hills covered with cloud forests, hiking, tea plantations, and hippie vibes. Day 22: … More Sri Lanka days 22-24: lively mountain town of Ella + Little Adam’s Peak hike + Nine Arch Bridge + scooter adventures to Ravana Cave + Sri Lanka’s economic crisis

Sri Lanka days 16-21: vacation mode in southern beach town of Mirissa + Joe is here!

April 3, 2022

Hey friends! This past week has been the best week of my entire trip, and that’s because Joe is here!! We are so excited to be together again after 2 months apart. We have two weeks together in Sri Lanka and have been making the most of it with quality time in this new country. … More Sri Lanka days 16-21: vacation mode in southern beach town of Mirissa + Joe is here!

Sri Lanka days 11-15: Nuwara Eliya continued + waterfalls, hikes, and gardens galore + tea plantation tour + horse ride through the countryside

March 26, 2022

This past week, I grew even more in love in Nuwara Eliya, a small town in Sri Lanka’s tea country (see a recap of my first 3 days here). After 7 days, I can say this is my favorite spot in Sri Lanka so far from its picturesque sites and feeling at home in my … More Sri Lanka days 11-15: Nuwara Eliya continued + waterfalls, hikes, and gardens galore + tea plantation tour + horse ride through the countryside

Sri Lanka days 8-10: iconic train ride + tea country hills of Nuwara Eliya + Horton Plains National Park

March 22, 2022

After my time in bustling Kandy, I headed to my next destination, Nuwara Eliya, a small town in the tea country hills in central Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its beautiful tea plantations, cooler mountain temperature, ample hiking options, and unique western architecture. Nuwara Eliya is usually treated as a 1-2 day stop-over … More Sri Lanka days 8-10: iconic train ride + tea country hills of Nuwara Eliya + Horton Plains National Park

Sri Lanka days 6-7: Kandy botanical garden + herbal remedies at spice garden + Udawattakele park

March 19, 2022

My last two days in Kandy were spent sightseeing the remaining spots in Sri Lanka’s “culture capital,” while also finding time to recharge from navigating this bustling city. Day 6: Kandy viewpoint + spice garden + botanical garden The two previous days, I saw as many sites as I could by foot, but there were … More Sri Lanka days 6-7: Kandy botanical garden + herbal remedies at spice garden + Udawattakele park

Sri Lanka days 3-5: culture capital of Kandy + Buddhist ceremonies + cultural dance show (including a video!)

March 17, 2022

After a beachy start in Negombo, I headed to Kandy, known as the “culture capital” of Sri Lanka. While Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka, it’s nestled in the mountains, so there is ample nature and cooler temperatures too. Aside from some heart rate-pumping moments in the busy downtown, I’ve been able … More Sri Lanka days 3-5: culture capital of Kandy + Buddhist ceremonies + cultural dance show (including a video!)

Sri Lanka days 1-2: Beginnings in bustling beach town of Negombo

March 14, 2022

It feels surreal to be in Sri Lanka as I’ve had my eye on Sri Lanka for last few years. I’ve always preferred smaller countries where you can see “everything” in a few weeks, and I love that Sri Lanka has the mountains, the beaches, and everything in between. So many backpackers I talked to … More Sri Lanka days 1-2: Beginnings in bustling beach town of Negombo