5 practical tips to get by in New York from a born and bred New Yorker
It’s raw. It’s real. It’s New York City. Definitely not for the faint of heart, this city can eat you up and spit you out. Whether you are here for a few days, or a few years, these are a few tips that can help you get by in the concrete jungle.
Two awesome weeks: best places to visit in Sri Lanka travel guide, video highlights, budget and tips
I didn’t know what to expect when I made my plans to go to Sri Lanka. Two old friends from college were going there, and I wanted to meet up with them. Since I didn’t have any firm plans and would be near the region, I said alright and booked my flights. Here’s my Sri Lanka travel blog guide, including the best places to visit in Sri Lanka!
It was one of the more impulsive things I’ve done in recent years, but I’m glad for it! I spent about 2.5 weeks in Sri Lanka, and got to see a lot of the major sights.
[Photo Journal] A must visit place of history: the Lion Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
The cultural triangle is one of the must tour areas of Sri Lanka. Within that, the Lion Rock Fortress in Sigiriya is the must see place of all must see places.
A large rock jutting out in the landscape, there was an old palace at the top where the king lived in ages past. It makes you think about what kinds of secrets must lay hidden in the rock. This is the “Eighth wonder of the world.”
Going up and down Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka
Once upon a time in Kandy, I met three French people and we went on a road trip to climb a small mountain. Here’s how I got there, a brief guide to Adam’s Peak and what it was like!
An ‘I love summer’ budget for a month in Australia
Australia, the land down under, the outback, Oz.
It’s a wonderful place.
But it can break your bank if you aren’t careful.
I escaped winter in the North and spent all of December 2016, and a week in February 2017, in Australia. I had 5 weeks total of glorious summer there and here’s the breakdown of the money I spent.
I’m bringing peanut butter next time. How I ate low FODMAPs on the road!
Eating while on the road can be tricky if you want to try to eat healthily. It might be even harder to stick to some dietary restrictions. I started low FODMAPs in early 2016, and it has helped me with anxiety, bloating, and other related health problems. I knew that traveling while avoiding certain foods would be difficult, but I had a general plan going into it.
My gut issues started in 2012, after have a few incidents where I needed to take antibiotics (one of which may have been Lyme disease). I didn’t really understand what was happening to my body, or what the other symptoms were such as fatigue and brain fog. Eventually, I stumbled upon the nutritional research on FODMAPs.
[Photo Journal] Going on safari in Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka plus tips on planning your safari
The Wilpattu National Park in the Northwest of Sri Lanka does have a lower chance of seeing leopards, but may be a good option for a safari if you are near the airport in Negombo/Colombo or near Anuradhapura in the cultural triangle.
Wilpattu National Park was established in 1938, and has an estimated leopard population of at least 50 individuals that were surveyed by camera traps. The park boasts many natural lakes, some that have quite an eerie feel to them.
Quick hit list of things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
I spent 3 days in Ella, and luckily had a little bit of good weather even though it was raining nearly every day at the time. Though I didn’t get to do a whole lot because of the weather, I did get to relax and decompress. There are plenty of things to do in Ella Sri Lanka to take up a few days, even if you just do one major thing per day.
Ella is a small hill town that has expanded in popularity in recent years. A Sri Lankan I met on the bus to Ella there asked me why so many tourists like it. I think it is a combination of a pretty good location, not too big, good options for accommodation (that has only multiplied), chill vibes, and good restaurants. It’s a village that somehow was more ready to serve foreigners and so has become a hotspot. It’s also along a well-known train line for scenic hill country views.
View from Mini Adam’s Peak in Ella, Sri Lanka
Everything currently in my minimalist travel wardrobe for my trip through Australia and Asia
This is my self-proclaimed practical travel wardrobe for someone who would like to be more minimalist. Here’s my minimalist travel wardrobe for 3 months in Australia and Asia (Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia). It includes a breakdown of what I brought with me and a few things I’ve acquired on the road.
Admiral’s Arch on Kangaroo Island in Australia
Tips for getting around in Sri Lanka
Getting around without hiring a driver or taxi in Sri Lanka is easier than you think. Don’t be intimidated by not knowing the language, or not being familiar with the system. Here are my tips to guide you through taking the major modes of Sri Lanka transport, with some details and costs from my trip in January 2017.
Me on a train in Sri Lanka
Hey, I'm Chewy! I'm a science journalist currently living in New York. I'm an introvert who likes to see new things and learn. Here I write about my travels and musings about food, places and cultures. Check out my photos, reviews, and random thoughts!