The Beauty of Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul - a city that perfectly blends its rich history with modern vibrancy. Walking through the bustling streets, I was immersed in a culture that radiates warmth and hospitality, with every corner offering a glimpse into its storied past—from the majestic Hagia Sophia to the mighty Bosphorus Strait. Yet, amid these historical treasures, modern Istanbul shines with its cafes, vibrant arts scene, and stunning skyline. The juxtaposition of ancient landmarks and contemporary allure makes Istanbul a unique and unforgettable destination that truly lives up to its reputation as a city where the East meets the West.

Exploring Fukuoka: Japan's Underrated City

What cities first come to your mind when you hear Japan? Perhaps Tokyo tops the list, followed by Osaka, Kyoto, and Sapporo. Okay, maybe let’s add Nagoya because of Legoland. But Fukuoka was never under the radar for most travelers, and they’re missing a lot. This laidback city on the island of Kyushu seems unassuming, but it has a lot to offer. Today, I am here for five days to explore what Fukuoka has to offer and to discover its charm and uniqueness.

Exploring Puerto Princesa, Palawan For The First Time!

The plane descended, and as the clouds parted, I caught my first glimpse of Puerto Princesa, Palawan—an island I had heard about in passing, yet never visited. I had traveled far and wide, from bustling cities in Europe, Australia, and North America, to tranquil temples in Japan and Korea, yet somehow, I had never set foot in this part of my homeland. The irony wasn’t lost on me as the plane landed; this was my first time in Palawan, despite having been to places half a world away.

First Time in Europe: Barcelona, Spain

When I was in my junior year in high school, we discussed the history of Europe. The fifteen-year-old me was so engrossed in the history and culture of this continent that I vowed to visit this part of the world one day. Spain was definitely on top of my list. First, I thought traveling to this country wouldn’t be that hard since we have similar cultures, languages, and food. Today, almost nineteen years later, I embarked on a journey to the other side of the world. Join me as I explore Barcelona, Spain.

The Night When We Ditched our Hotel Room in Hong Kong

We touched down at Hong Kong International Airport minutes before midnight. I was so happy after hearing the pilot's announcement that it was only 11 degrees outside. But because it took me an hour to figure out how to install the local SIM card on my phone, it wasn't until 1:30 when we finally got out of the airport. Thank God for Uber.

As the skyline of Hong Kong grew, my friends and I were looking forward to a good night's sleep. Before anything else, here's a backstory on how we got our hotel: A month before our trip, Kat found a hotel for the four of us. The price was only Php 23,000 for four nights, and it's centrally located along Nathan Road, Kowloon. The reviews from a booking website look legit, so I didn't bother.

What we Can Learn About Travelling From Famous YouTubers

Have you ever thought of traveling full-time like those awesome YouTubers? Some of us can only dream, but the reality is there for some! If you’ve decided to take the plunge and travel full-time, there are many things to consider and travel hacks that can help you make the most out of your new lifestyle. Let’s dive deeper into some of these travel hacks and unique lives that are tried and tested by some of the most well-traveled YouTubers. Now, these are only for reference and could help you decide on your style of travel and how you want to go about it. 

We will look at three traveling couples sharing their experiences: Eamon and Bec, Kara and Nate, and Raya and Louis. All 3 of these travel-loving couples have seen more of their fair share of the world, and we can learn something from them. 

The Heat Is On In Saigon... After Nine Years

Happy 2024, everyone! We welcomed the new year full of hope. 2023 has been a great year despite some speed bumps along the way. Travel was the theme in 2023 and will be the same for this year. To start off the year, let me share some of the photos I took during my recent trip to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, in November last year.

I visited this city twice. The last time was nine years ago. It wasn't part of my trip, but I booked a ticket months before the trip. My colleagues invited me, and I've already traveled with them, so I'm not worried about adjusting to new people on a trip. We stayed around the District 1 area since it's accessible to most places. Not to mention that Saigon is way cheaper than Manila! True enough, your dollars will go a long way–with so many zeroes in your wallet, it feels great when you're carrying literally millions of dongs in your wallet!

So many things have changed since the last time I've been in Saigon. There were local excursions that I hadn't tried during my last visit, ate some of the best Vietnamese food and coffee, shopped 'til I dropped, and partied hard late at night. Saigon may not be for the faint-hearted traveler. It's chaotic, the language barrier still exists in some parts of the city (but they're improving in most aspects of communication), and scammers are still present. Utopia doesn't exist, so I didn't really mind these.

I used my Sony a6400 35mm f1.8 to take these photos, and post-processing was done in Lightroom. Cam on, Saigon! I'll be back soon.

Embrace Clean Eating While Savoring Your Favorite Indulgences With These Tips

Photo by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash

When it comes to our house, we often think about so many different areas. One of the most vital points is our nutrition. If we can spend the majority of our lives eating properly, we will be in a much better place to enjoy life. It’s just a case of figuring out how to sort out our nutrition in the first place. We can look at lots of different wellness tips throughout our existence, but not a single one of them will matter if the foods we eat aren’t correct. The problem is that nutrition can be a bit of a minefield for a lot of people. It’s quite confusing and can make people not stick to things. 

The truth is that nutrition and eating properly are both actually very simple. It’s just a case of putting things into action. We can all appreciate the foods we enjoy whilst eating healthy and getting all of the right nutrients in our bodies. We shouldn’t have to overcomplicate it or overthink it. If you’re curious, here’s how we can make it happen: