I want you to do something for me. Close your eyes and cast your mind back to January 2022. Try to remember what it was like… Where were you? Who were you? How did you feel? Looking back at that time, I am still in disbelief at how quickly everything changed.

My January 2022 revolved a lot around cardboard boxes, storage facilities, single beds, other people’s beds/couches/hospitality, laundrettes, removal vans, an Arvon Writing Retreat and a whole world of previously unexperienced opportunities waiting to be seized.

Yep, there was no fanfare to sound the warning to the end of that 3-year relationship. But I guess, looking back, we could both see it coming. I will never forget the unwavering support of my friends during that time. Those of you who are familiar with heartbreak will know that the shock and numbness that settles over you following a life-changing decision, like the one to leave a relationship, can feel utter paralysing. It’s never a decision that is taken lightly. Camels and broken backs and all that…

I remember making the calls to my friends nearby. Cancelling the casual coffee I’d been intending to have that morning and instead hitching a lift in a mate’s mum’s car to Big Yellow Storage, suddenly needing to buy cardboard boxes to pack up my life. To divide what was mine from his. To move out. To move on.

Future plans erased, I steeled myself for the unknown and a few short few months of feeling uprooted. A little at sea – in more ways than one – as it would turn out. Was I really about to embark on the final furlong of a colourful ten year stint as a Northerner, living and working, in London? Only time would tell.

I can still remember the Teams call with my then boss, and now friend, Anita. Where I’d admitted that things weren’t so good at home. “So good” being the understatement of the year. I remember fighting back the tears as I sat there, clinging on to the crappy wifi connection in the cafe area of the gym I’d snuck into to use as a WFH office space – knowing full well that I wouldn’t be returning to my old one anytime soon - telling my boss I’d effectively made myself homeless in pursuit of happiness.

A little poem I wrote, which sums up how I felt during that time in January 2022:

Heart break

Soul shake

Earthquake

Everything

Stops.

Change is inevitable

The only thing to do is push through it

Don’t

Look back

You’re not going that way

Blindly

Numbly

Feel your way

Rediscover yourself

Take a breath

Until you find your way back

To you

Again.

Rediscovery ~ Lucie Kerley, 2023

There is no map, no secret recipe or well-thumbed instruction manual to cure a broken heart.

But if I was to ever try and draw you one, I’d tea stain it a little for authenticity and burn it at the edges… I would be sure to include for you a list of things that you love doing, don’t do enough of or did not do enough of in your last relationship… or maybe… you would just really like to surprise yourself and give something new a go...

This phase is all about you - and your journey of self-rediscovery.

Ultimately, by being vulnerable and opening up about my breakup, I was thrown a lifeline.

Stockholm or Sri Lanka? Anita asked. Giving me the option to crash at her place in Stockholm for a few weeks, whilst she was away surfing in Weligama, Sri Lanka… or… to buy myself return flights to Colombo and find accommodation in Weligama and join her in surfing paradise.

I know which one most people would choose when trying to run away from their troubles, and I was no different.

By sharing a bit of me and my story on this trip, I found that friends and kind strangers would hold out their own stories of heartbreak and rediscovery in return, for me to listen to and learn from. And it is from those acts of kindness and compassion that I was able to glean the courage, hope and strength needed to rebuild my life and form a sense of what could now be possible.

Yep! You guessed it! Sri Lanka won hands down. I mean, as lovely as Stockholm is (it is pretty bloody cold in January. And so, despite the irony of going to an island the shape of a teardrop when you’re clutching onto broken heart, it’s actually pretty damn perfect for escaping the toils of modern life - especially when you’re seeking a little bit of paradise and winter sun.

10 reasons why surfing can be beneficial for helping to heal after heartbreak:

1. Natural Stress Relief: Surfing allows you to connect with the ocean's rhythm and the act of riding waves can release endorphins, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm.

2. Mindfulness and Presence: While surfing, you need to be fully present in the moment, diverting your focus from the pain of heartbreak and encouraging mindfulness.

3. Physical Activity: Engaging in physical activity through surfing triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, promoting feelings of happiness and well-being.

4. Connection with Nature: The soothing sounds of the ocean, the feel of the water, and the beauty of nature can help soothe emotional wounds and offer a fresh perspective.

5. Positive Distraction: Surfing provides a positive outlet to redirect your thoughts and energy away from negative emotions, helping to break the cycle of rumination.

6. Sense of Accomplishment: Mastering the art of catching waves fosters a sense of achievement and boosts self-esteem, which can counter feelings of inadequacy caused by heartbreak.

7. Community and Support: Surfing communities can offer a supportive network of like-minded individuals who understand the healing process and provide companionship.

8. Physical Challenge: Overcoming the challenges of balancing, paddling, and riding waves can instill a sense of resilience that parallels the process of healing from heartbreak.

9. Empowerment: As you progress in your surfing skills, you regain a sense of control and empowerment that may have been lost during heartbreak.

10. Renewal and Rebirth: The act of riding a wave can symbolise a fresh start, capturing the essence of healing and moving forward from a broken heart.

Surfing can serve as both a physical and emotional outlet during a break up or loss, helping individuals cope with heartbreak and find healing through the transformative power of the ocean.

My Travel Itinerary for Weligama, Sri Lanka: 12-nights / 13 days

• Destination: Weligama, Sri Lanka

• Dates of travel: Monday 24 January 2022 to Saturday 5 February 2022 (12-nights)

• Who: Solo Trip (little old me - 1 x solo female traveller)

• Luxury level: Barefoot luxe - a mix of indulgent (Business Class flight upgrades) and mid-level budget 3* hotel, activities, food & drink

Costs

Travel

• Flights: Sri Lankan Airlines return flight from London Heathrow to Colombo, Sri Lanka - Original flight price of £753 for an Economy Restricted return ticket (what I originally booked) Plus upgrades to Business Class. Which worked out as +£785 outbound and a return leg upgrade bid of +£700. Total flight cost: £2,238 for Business Class return flights.

• I’ve just had little search, and if you were to book return flights from London, UK to Colombo, Sri Lanka for the same dates I did, you would be looking at from approx. £780-800 return per person to fly with Sri Lankan Airlines, or from £3,470 for Business Class return flights per person.

• Private Taxi Transfers: from Colombo Airport to Ocean Tribe Surf Camp in Weligama, arranged by Milan at Ocean Tribe - approx. £65 (75 EUR)

• Accommodation: Ocean Tribe Surf Camp - Surf & Yoga retreat, Weligama, Sri Lanka - 100m from the beach. I did an extended version of Ocean Tribe’s usual Surf & Relax package - for approx. £450, which included:

• 12 x nights accommodation (Deluxe Room) - 300 EUR

• 8 x surf lessons/guiding (approx. 1 lesson per day @ approx. £10 a lesson) - Learning to surf in Sri Lanka has to be one of the cheapest and friendliest places to do so in the world - with sessions from as little as $8 an hour. I remember my friend Anita and I looking at a possible Surf trip to Barbados, and for the equivalent surf lesson with instructor, you are going to pay a minimum $75 USD for group lessons or from $150 USD for 1-2-1 private surf lessons. It is crazy!

• 12 x breakfasts

• 8 x dinners

• 2 x complimentary yoga sessions

• Surf theory

• Free transport to surf spots (Tuk Tuks baby!)

• Free use of surf board during session (includes use of rash vest) - be sure to bring suncream / sunblock for your face/nose/cheeks.

• Additional Food + Drink: I probably spent approx. £100-150, if that, over the course of 12-nights on eating and drinking out, outside of Ocean Tribe. Don’t forget to indulge in as much Kottu & Roti as humanly possible during your stay in Weligama. (Drools) There are so many quirky surf cafes and beach bars in Weligama. Weligama is how I imagine Bali, Costa Rica, Barbados or other surfing hot spots looked 10-15 years ago, before they became THE go-to surf destinations.

• Sightseeing & Activities: approx. £100 - there are so many other cool things in Sri Lanka to explore and sightseeing tours you can book on. From tea plantation tours to local pottery markets, to other safaris, whale watching, waterfall experiences, boat parties and river cruises and so much more!

• Surf lessons (included in the Ocean Tribe Surf & Relax package), Safari to Yala National Park (includes pickup from Ocean Tribe and a full-day Safari experience) - approx £65pp.

• Massages Go to Mirissa for a Full Body Massage at Secret Root Spa, Yaddehigodda Wattha, Bandaramulla, Mirissa 81740, Sri Lanka - approx. 5000 Sri Lankan Rupees for 90 mins - about £13. (note: price subject to change due to inflation etc) - also try Badora Spa, Bandaramulla, Mirissa 81740, Sri Lanka for great massages too, and be sure to book in advance.

Total: £2,800 approx (but, realistically, you could do it for approx. £1,200 - £1,500 per person, if you booked the Economy flights option)

Day 1 - Monday 24 january

Depart London Heathrow via British Airways flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka and then a private taxi transfer from Colombo to Weligama, Sri Lanka (arranged via Milan at Ocean Tribe). I stayed in one of the Deluxe Double Rooms - also available to book via Booking.com.

My original tickets were for Economy Restricted seats on a return flight from London Heathrow to Colombo Sri Lanka, which cost me approx. £753 in total (note: this was a Jan 2022, last minute booking), flying on the Airbus A330-300. For ease, and whilst travelling alone, I opted for direct flight from London Heathrow. My flight time was just 10 hours 30 mins and departed London at 13:50 and was expected to arrive in Colombo at 05:50 the following morning (Note: Sri Lanka is 4-hours 30 mins ahead of the UK - it is very strange to get your head around that additional 30 mins, let me tell you!)

In a moment of pure indulgence (read as: madness) having been spoilt rotten by a couple of brands on press trips giving us Business Class flight experiences (yep, Kia, you are the best!) I decided to pay extra to fly Business Class to Sri Lanka, instead of the Economy Restricted seat ticket I had originally booked. I did this upgrade via the Sri Lankan Airlines Bid online sytem, which allows you the chance to bid for any remaining Business Class seats and upgrade yourself for whatever price you can afford. If you have the winning bid and it gets accepted, you’re in for a right treat. My top bid was £785, which would cover a one-way upgrade – yikes!! Yep, nothing like a bit of heartbreak to make you want to surround yourself with additional comforts or indulge in some retail therapy.

How to bid for your business class seat*

Any Economy Class ticket-holder bound to any Sri Lankan operated international destination can place a bid online until 12hrs prior to departure for flights departing other countries and 5 hours prior to departure for flights departing Colombo. Go to the webpage and fill in the e-form with accurate details. Review and submit your bid for an upgrade. The payment has to be made through credit card and if the offer is accepted the passenger will be billed for the upgrade. The confirmation will be sent to the passenger via email between 48hrs and 4hrs prior to departure. In the instances where an upgrade is not possible, the previous booking will remain valid and nothing will be charged from the ticket-holder.

*(copy: taken from Sri Lanka Airlines website, please check for further info on upgrading to a business class seat)

Is Business Class worth it? It depends how much you value your sleep I guess, and whether you can afford to splash out on a little luxury. I love it. From the moment you are welcomed onto the aircraft and directed to your seat away from, what we normal folk would lovingly call “cattle class”, you are offered a glass - yes, an actual glass not a plastic beaker – of champagne, and directed to you seat/bed/personal entertainment nook. Your personal up in the clouds sanctuary to escape, sit back, relax, watch films, listen to music, eat & drink, choosing from a selection of fine wines, whiskies and more. Unlike economy, you get to eat lovely plane food with an actual knife and fork off actual ceramic dinnerware. Fancyyyy!

And when the time comes to get some shut eye, you recline that seat, switch into your PJs, pop on the free pair of travel socks and eye mask provided, grab that pillow and duvet and settle yourself in. Knowing that when you next wake, it’s likely to be time for a spot of breakfast before you touch down in a whole other continent. Marvellous, really, if you think about it?

Arriving in Sri Lanka at Colombo Airport

I was a little bit nervous as a solo female traveller landing in a foreign country and being unable to speak the language. But hey! Nerves are normal, eh? If not we would surely be some sort of psycho or sociopath… right?

After collecting my ginormous suitcase, I made my way to the Arrivals exit to wait for my Private Taxi transfer from Colombo airport to Weligama, on the southern tip of the island. The journey by car from Colombo to Weligama is 164 km, so approx. 2-hour 25 minute journey. Enough to get a decent nap in, if you aren’t Bambi-eyed, like I was, from taking in all the palm trees and paddy fields suddenly whizzing past the window. On arrival at Ocean Tribe, I was greeted by a very sun-kissed and smiley Anita, who had already been in Weligama for a couple of months before I arrived. Part surf holiday, part remote working arrangement - 100% dreamy! My Deluxe Room was spacious and simple with doors leading out onto the balcony & well-kept tropical garden - and just a stone’s throw from Ocean Tribe’s bar & cafe, where I would spend most of my afternoons - perfect!

Anita suggested that I settle in to my new surroundings, and after taking a shower, we took a walk along the beach to grab something to eat at one of the bars that did delicious Poke bowls and fresh smoothies, etc. We made friends with another solo female traveller who was also staying at our accommodation, Natasha, and spent the rest of the day chatting with her and enjoying our first Weligama sunset. A truly breath-taking sight to behold!

That evening we made our way to Mama’s Restaurant for dinner. Choosing to fill our belly’s with freshly caught seafood, octopus, ginormous grilled prawns, rice and salad – all washed down with glasses of ice cold Lion beer. Delicious! We then headed back to Ocean Tribe and Anita mentioned that she had to go and pick up her handcrafted balance board from Surf Instructor and Master Craftsman, Lahiruoh, Owner of OH Balance Boards and Happy Haven Surf House & Cafe (located just next door to Ocean Tribe.)

It was so fun watching Anita and Lahiruoh try out the board and show us their surf skills. Balance is everything eh? Having not stepped foot on a surfboard myself yet, I decided not to volunteer myself to play the fool just yet. I was more than happy to watch them show me how it’s supposed to be done. And on that note! It was time to get some sleep, ready for my first-ever surf lesson.

Day 2 - tuesday 25 january

06:50am - a very early start meant it was straight up and out of bed, throw on a swimming costume and sun cream, grab a towel and meet our Tuk Tuk driver, who was already there – ready & waiting – to drive us a few minutes down the road for our private surf lesson. We were each given a rash vest and, once at the beach, assigned our very own surf board. Note: the beginner boards are MASSIVE! But you’ve gotta start somewhere eh?

The lesson lasted a couple of hours, with one instructor between the two of us. We were first talked through some surf theory for beginners and then shown the moves & strokes we would need to each perform, in order to catch those waves and ultimately, as the goal of surfing is, to be able to ride them with confidence, whilst remaining stood upright on the board. PHEW!!

I tried, I really did. I tried. Over and over again. Getting bashed about by the board, the waves, my own ego. It was so frustrating to see my companion (also an absolute beginner) get the gist of it almost straight away, and after just a few goes, ride her first wave - standing upright on the board! But me? I was ready to tear my hair out. You know when you berate yourself, thinking of course you can’t do it. You were stupid for even thinking you would be cool enough/ strong enough or confident enough to learn to surf. I felt silly and very disappointed in myself at my first failed attempt at learning to surf. I sat down on the sun lounger for the rest of the lesson, a good amount of sea salt in my contact lenses from getting thrown about by the waves. Ego truly bruised. Yeah, I guess I felt deflated.

On getting back to Ocean Tribe, Milan, the Owner, asked how I had got on. I sheepishly replied that I had really struggled and couldn’t even get myself standing up on the board. He looked at me, smiled and then asked me to do something for him.

“Come here, Lucie. Jump off this step for me.”

Cue me, wondering what ridiculousness I was getting myself into now…

I jumped.

“A-haaaa!” Cried Milan.

“I get it now.”

“What?” I reply, flabbergasted but curious.

“You’re goofy.”

“Ha! Yeah, I know that. I’m an idiot…”

“No, Lucie. You are Goofy.” He went on to explain what this meant, and suggested that when I did my lesson the following morning, I change my stance, so that my other foot (the right one) is leading.

Note: Goofy foot surfing is when the surfer has their right foot in front and left foot at the back of the board. This surf stance is the opposite of a regular or natural stance. Goofy-foot surfing is marginally less common than regular stance, in the same manner, that fewer people are left-handed.

Post-surf Breakfast at Ocean Tribe - Avo + Fried Eggs on toast with a flat white coffee - delicious!

Full body massages at Secret Root Spa in Mirissa. WOW! If there was ever a combination of activities that could be prescribed to heal a broken heart, then this was it! I felt alive, exhilarated at finding myself soaking up the sun in paradise, at doing something good for my soul, surrounded by warm and welcoming strangers and soon-to-be friends, being looked after with wholesome food & drink, and pampered at the hands of a professional masseuse. This is actually the epitome of bliss.

Lunch at Dulnetha - Chicken Roti and fresh fruit smoothies.

Dinner at Ocean Tribe - homemade Kottu.

Day 3 - wednesday 26 january

06:50am - Tuk Tuk pickup as punctual as ever, I set my sights on embracing “Goofy” and with a renewed sense of determination, made my way out into the water, until it was just over waist height. And I BLOODY DID IT! On the first attempt! I STOOD UP ON THE BOARD. With my changed stance, I could conquer anything - ok, maybe not anything, but there has gotta be some sort of metaphor for life in there somewhere… When you start to learn to surf, the instructors will show you how in the shallower waters, which are often less crowded parts of the beach. I had been worried at first that I would not be a confident enough or strong enough swimmer, to be a surfer, but it turns out, it’s not that important. As you learn to surf and spend more time in the water and on your board. You get more confident, and stronger from all the paddling you have. to do in order to catch the waves. As you progress, and have to swim further out for the bigger waves, being a more confident swimmer is a must, as you will often spend a lot of time treading water, waiting for your turn - as these areas can sometimes be more crowded.

09:30am - First surf lesson in the bag. We took a Tuk Tuk back to Ocean Tribe and ordered ourselves healthy breakfast bowls of protein yoghurt, fresh fruit and granola - so yummy! You definitely work up a right appetite when you are surfing (or attempting to). It takes a lot out of you, energy-wise, both physically and mentally.

The rest of the day consisted of sunbathing and fighting jet lag.

Day 4 - thursday 27 january

More surf lessons and chill day, and a little trip to the shop to buy some essentials like a refillable water bottle, as Ocean Tribe doesn’t sell plastic water bottles, instead they offer filtered water for free which you can use to fill up your own bottle. We’d booked onto a full day’s safari to Yala National Park the following morning (arranged through Milan at Ocean Tribe) and were due to be picked up super early the next day.

Day 5 - friday 28 january

04:00am -04:30am: Mini bus arrives at Ocean Tribe to collect us sleepy Safari goers. It’s a two hour drive from Weligama to Yala, and so the early start is essential, in order to fit in the full tour of Yala National Park.

Yala really is a sensory overload - in the best possible way. You’ll get tons of Vitamin D, so be sure to take bottled water, a hat + suncream.

Plentiful protusions of spiky succulents puncturing arid earth. Peanut butter toast air, warm dust and sunshine. Telegraph pole wires embroidered with Sri Lankan House Martins.

Tiny kisses of yellow and lilac flowers dotted amongst the scrub. A racket of birdsong and beating wings against the splutter and thrum of jeep engines, creaky suspension and noisy brakes. Peacocks clamouring for attention. The stutter and click of camera shutters.

The gentle splash of a wild water buffalos tail. White washed trees with scrawling branches. An entourage of 4x4s. Erect water lilies standing proud in sheet metal silver pools rippling in the early morning breeze.

Note to self: It is bumpy AF once you climb into that Safari jeep. We were advised not to eat anything too heavy beforehand, or you might be at risk of seeing it again as you careen on and off the beaten track.

Yala is home to 44 mammal species and 215 bird species, so be sure to keep your eyes out in search of leopards, elephants, water buffalo, sloths, tropical birds like blue-tailed bee eaters, pink flamingos, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, Spot-billed Pelicans, Chital, Mongoose, Gray Langur monkeys and much more.

Day 6 - saturday 29 january

Anita birthday celebrations at Angel Beach Club, Unawatuna, it’s recommended to book a bed in advance as this place gets super bust. The sunsets are incredible!

We then headed back to Weligama for shots of Old Reserve Premium Arrack - often described as a blend of whisky and rum - great drinks with new friends on their roof terrace.

Day 7 - sunday 30 january

Another early morning surf lesson in Weligama. Quite the hangover cure! I felt like I was getting a bit more confident and was able to stand back up on the board a bit quicker with each new attempt.

After surfing we headed back to Ocean Tribe to get showered and then took a Tuk Tuk to Mirissa for a Full Body Massage at Secret Root Spa, Yaddehigodda Wattha, Bandaramulla, Mirissa 81740, Sri Lanka - approx. 5000 Sri Lankan Rupees for 90 mins - about £13. (note: price subject to change due to inflation etc.)

Lunch at Moochie’s - Address: 32 Samaraweera Pl, Weligama, Sri Lanka. Insta: @moochies_weligama

Day 8 - monday 31 january

Shopping for local terracotta pottery up the road from Weligama on the Colombo-Matara road by Kubalgama station (ask Tuk Tuk driver for directions.) So many artisan shops selling hand-thrown clay pottery, vases, plates, decorations etc. I bought a terracotta carafe, a small shallow bowl and spoon, some coconut salad servers and some terracotta cups.

Then I headed back to Ocean Tribe for a latte and a home-made warm chocolate brownie, whilst watching the tropical rainstorm outside.

Later it was time for dinner + drinks for Anita’s birthday at Ceylon Sliders Address: Galle Road 9, Weligama (Note: no restaurant recommendations taken for groups under 10 - first come, first served.)

Day 9 - tuesday 1 february

Chill day of sunbathing followed by dinner at Ocean Tribe - delicious homemade Kottu Roti.

Day 10 - wednesday 2 february

Coffee and lunch at Ocean Tribe, followed by a walk down the beach at sunset.

Day 11 - thursday 3 february

Early morning surf lesson. Beach walk and sea shells - collecting mementos of my trip to Weligama. Brunch at Ocean Tribe (Avo on toast with fried egg and tomatoes)

Day 12 - friday 4 february

Final surf lesson for beginners in Weligama - with board upgrade! Followed by drinks, beach swim and lunch at Silent Pup, Address: Jungle beach, Kalukanda Rd, Weligama 81700, Sri Lanka (check before you go for opening times).

Final Sri Lankan sunset and Lion beers at Coconut Beach, Matara. Dinner at Ocean Tribe. Goodbye drinks with friends.

Day 13 - saturday 5 february

Home-time! Massage at Colombo Airport. Food & Drinks in the lounge. Champagne in business class for the home stretch. Travelling in January / February 2022 involved a lot of covid checks, passports and visas. I would encourage you to check the Sri Lanka travel advice (linked below) from Gov UK - or the country where you live, before taking amy flight to a foreign country - Oh! And be sure to buy travel insurance too, to keep you safe if anything should happen on your trip.

Top 10 tips tops for solo travellers visiting Weligama, Sri Lanka

1. Do your research. Learn about your destination, including the culture, customs, and safety concerns. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when you arrive. See here for Sri Lanka Travel Advice from Gov UK.

2. Plan your trip, but be flexible. It's a good idea to have a general itinerary in mind, places that you really want to see etc, but be prepared to change things up if needed. Things don't always go according to plan, so it's important to be adaptable. Let Sri Lanka unfold for you!

3. Stay safe. Take precautions to stay safe, such as being aware of your surroundings, avoiding walking alone at night, and keeping your valuables close. If you’re travelling alone, research the area beforehand, use your common sense, don’t get drunk or lost. Keep your phone battery charged. Let friends know where you are going/staying/heading to.

   P.s. I highly recommend reading this amazing book by Gavin De Becker called ‘The Gift of Fear’ - so many great tips for staying safe.

4. Connect with other travellers. If you stay somewhere like Ocean Tribe in Weligama, Sri Lanka, you will be certain to find other lovely like-minded travellers - some solo, some couples, some groups of friends - who are friendly and open to meeting new people. There are many ways to connect with other travellers, such as staying in hostels, joining tours, or using social media. This is a great way to make friends and have someone to explore with.

5. Be confident but not arrogant. It's important to be confident when you're travelling alone. Nerves are very normal, but ceasing the opportunity to embrace new experiences and adventures will help you feel more comfortable and empowered.

6. Be open to new experiences. Solo travel is a great way to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. Be open to meeting new people, trying new foods, new hobbies and exploring new places. Are there any yoga, meditation or surf retreats you can book onto? What about group tours or excursions? Or even a food + wine tasting experience - see the one I did in Rome here!

7. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. There are many people who are willing to help solo travellers, such as hostel staff, tour guides, and locals.

8. Have fun! Solo travel can be an amazing and rewarding experience. So relax, have fun, and enjoy the journey - mental, spiritual, emotional and physical.

If you find comfort in planning, like me, here are a few great tips for ensuring you have the most amazing solo travel experience:

• Visualise the trip you want. What are you hoping to get out of your solo travel experience? Create a Pinterest board or Save any visual inspiration, restaurants, accommodation or must-see sights you find on Instagram. Once you know what you want, you can start planning your trip accordingly.

• Gather as much first hand knowledge you can before you go. Talk to other solo travellers, read travel blogs, and watch travel videos. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and how to prepare. Check out location hashtags on all social media platforms and also location tags. This will give you an instant picture of what a place is like.

• Learn to chat with strangers. One of the best things about solo travel is meeting new people. Get out of your comfort zone and start talking to people. You never know who you might meet! I met some great friends on this trip. One in the airport lounge, others in the hotel cafe bar, and more through taking surf lessons.

• Tap the experience of the people you meet. I’m a big fan of deep and meaningfuls. I’m the kind of person who really wants to know what makes people tick. Heartbreak is a fantastic leveller. I had so many wonderful chats about the highs and lows of love, adulting, buying my very first home and everything in between. The people you meet along the way can be a great source of information and advice. Ask them about their favourite places to visit, their tips for staying safe, and their recommendations for things to do.

• Be flexible. A good idea is to check whether there are any big events happening in the places you intend to travel to –do this ahead of time. This way you will know whether accommodation is likely to be fully booked or exorbitantly priced. You might need tickets for special events or festivals etc. And as things don't always go according to plan when you're traveling, so it's important to be flexible and have a back up if necessary. Be prepared to change your itinerary if needed, and don't sweat the small stuff. When one door closes, a window opens.

• Don't over-plan. It's okay to have a general idea of what you want to do, but don't over-plan your trip. Leave some time for spontaneity and exploring. Don’t overpack your itinerary. Allow yourself some time to rest and enjoy your surroundings. Travelling - particularly if you’re lugging around a backpack and taking public transport - can be very tiring.

• Be patient. Traveling alone can be challenging at times, so be patient with yourself. It takes time to get used to being on your own. Look at what the public transport system is like. Are there any tips about using trains or hailing taxis. Check out for any local scams so that you don’t end up spending far more money than you intended.

• Explore the city at different levels. Don't just stick to the tourist traps. Get off the beaten path and explore the city at different levels. Visit local markets, wander through quiet neighbourhoods, and take a walk through the park. Local tour guides are great for this.

Recommendations for places to eat & drink in and around Weligama, Sri Lanka

1. Ocean Tribe Surf Camp Cafe, Address: Paranakade, 159/3 2nd lane, Weligama 81700, Sri Lanka. They do amazing breakfasts and serve warm homemade chocolate brownies - perfectly delicious coffee!

2. Dulnetha, Weligama, Address: No. 39 1st Cross Road, Pelena, Weligama, Matara 81700 Sri Lanka. Try the Chicken Roti, with a side of daal and a fresh fruit smoothie.

3. Moochie’s - Address: 32 Samaraweera Pl, Weligama, Sri Lanka.

4. Ceylon Sliders Address: Galle Road 9, Weligama

5. Sunset and beers at Coconut Beach, Address: Coconut Beach, Matara, Sri Lanka

6. Drinks, beach swim and lunch at Silent Pup, Address: Jungle beach, Kalukanda Rd, Weligama 81700, Sri Lanka (check before you go for opening times)

7. Beach club vibes + sunset goals at Angel Beach Club, Unawatuna

I hope you enjoyed this little trip to Sri Lanka and are inspired to seek out whatever your heart desires. A lot of incredible adventured await you!

Lucie Loves x

P.s. If you have any tips to share on how to get the most out of solo travel and/or mend a broken heart, do pop us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.