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There are some places you get to as you travel that just sing to your soul. They calm you and excite you all in one go. There’s an air of home and comfort surrounding you in a place you’ve never been before yet feels like you’ve been there a million times. I’m currently in that state. It’s bliss, it’s tranquil and it’s exactly what I need.

I’m enjoying myself in Sri Lanka. The first week of travelling being the best, followed by 4 days of being ill. I finally found my groove, my sparkle, in Dutch Bay, Trincomalee. I thought I’d made a mistake coming here but everything happens for a reason. I had to leave Uppuveli to seek medical help and ended up in Dutch Bay for one night, which of course has turned into two nights.

I first stayed in the Dockyard Inn, which was amazing, purely for Amaan, the guest house owner. He came to my aid when I needed someone desperately. I got quite ill and although instagram makes it look like everyone is having the time of their lives, including myself, and #livingtheirbestlife, it’s not reality. Travelling can be the most amazing experience of your life, eye opening, life changing and you learn things you never knew about yourself. The years I’ve travelled have been more educational than any of my five years of study at university level. Travel has moulded me into what I now am as a person, and although these experiences are incredible, they are also daunting, alien and sometimes outright lonely.

When you don’t have the energy to get out of bed from being sick, you definitely don’t have the energy to get up and go make friends with all the other lovely travellers. This loneliness set in a few days ago and continued until I had been to the doctor, pharmacy and back to my guest house. Knowing that Amaan was down stairs, after driving me from pharmacy to pharmacy looking for my prescription, made me feel like I had someone looking out for me. I began to feel more settled and happier in myself knowing I wasn’t so isolated.

I took myself down to the beach for a few hours where I set up camp in Rest Dyke, a cute little guest house with seating on the beach. The owner, Kadira came to speak to me. He had that sweet old man air about him and I instantly trusted him. He brought me tea, we discussed his rooms and I figured out he had been told by the diving teacher I had dived with the day previous that I might come looking for a room. He was willing to give me a discount price and I agreed to it for the following night. Amaan had been so kind, I didn’t want to up and leave him after all of his compassion that day.

I went for dinner across from the Dockyard Inn and Stanley was the cook for the night. Stanly had perfect English as he’d worked on cruise ships in and around Athens and he was full of chat. I actually couldn’t get a word in but it was nice just to be talked at. Another person in the small area was again showing me such kindness and warmth, it made me feel safe and secure. I said goodnight to him and a little while later returned to ask for tea. I was hoping I could take it to my guest house. Stanley obliged and sent me on my way with a tray of tea, sugar and hot water (he even gave me a proper mug that I had asked for, none of those tiny little tea cups). I was absolutely buzzing to go to my room and watch a shitty romcom (I won’t apologise for this, I love a good romcom). 

Waking up, I finally had energy! This place was healing me (along with the medication obviously) but I felt better in myself. I felt that little spark I had been missing for a few days reappearing. People in this area are so sweet and friendly and aren’t trying to sell you something, quite the opposite to Uppuveli. I was happy to walk to the ATM and say hello to people, knowing there wasn’t going to be a follow up conversation about a tour or some bracelets for sale. This area still has all the chaos of developing countries right around the corner but there is something so special about it that draws you into the chaos, while making you feel completely at ease all at the same time.I moved to my new place, Rest Dyke and was perched out in the sun with my books and journals within 5 minutes of arriving. 

I energised in the sun (yes like a crystal), reading, writing, swimming, walking, drinking tea and just breathing in every last bit of the beautiful atmosphere around me. The sound of waves crashing was my music today. I didn’t see more than 3 people in one go walking past me along the beach. This was what I had hoped Sri Lanka would be for me, this feeling of tranquility and peace. This place has something magical to it. It’s drawn me in and I think will have a lasting mark on me. I always say I’ll return to all those places where I feltl like I’ve found home in. Maybe I will return one day and see familiar faces. Maybe I won’t but for now, this is exactly what I need and I couldn’t be more content.