Chiang Mai is not a city you merely pass through; it’s a place you absorb, slowly and deliberately, letting each street and scent settle into memory. Arriving here for the first time, I had 48 hours to peel back its layers, an ambitious timeline, perhaps, for a city so deeply rooted in tradition and mystery. Yet, Chiang Mai’s unhurried pace and reverence for detail allowed me to settle in and explore with a rare intimacy in travel.
Monday, November 4, 2024
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Autumn in Geneva, Switzerland
When my friends learned I was doing a side trip to Geneva after Madrid, they
all said it would be costly. To my defense, I’d always reply, “Why not?”. The
truth is Geneva has been on my bucket list since high school. Geneva was a
great start to my Switzerland adventure from CERN to the famous Jet d’Eau and
the home of Swiss Knife and Patek Philippe. For four days, I explored Geneva
and the nearby towns around the lake and got enamored by its beauty, grandeur,
and quiet luxury.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Vital Things To Do Before Emigrating To Canada
Are you considering a long or working stay in Canada? Then check out our list of vital things you’ll need to do before you go.
Get yourself a visa or work permit.
First, you will need a visa or work permit to enter Canada at the border. There are different visas and permits for different purposes, so be sure to get the one for work if you will be working.
These documents can sometimes take months to arrange and require lots of evidence, so it is best to sort these well ahead of time. Remember, if you do not have the correct documents that allow you to stay/work, you risk being denied entry into the country, deportation, and imprisonment.
Monday, August 12, 2024
The Beauty of Istanbul, Türkiye
Thursday, August 8, 2024
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.
Monday, July 29, 2024
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.
Thursday, June 27, 2024
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.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
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.
Friday, February 23, 2024
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.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
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.