Nusa Penida: A Journey To Bali's Newly Discovered Gem

I woke up from my phone's blaring alarm. With only four hours of sleep, I forced myself to wake up and take a cold shower. Traffic was already building up as we left Seminyak to Sanur Beach. Upon arrival, we were still early for the first boat trip to Nusa Penida. The sun was up, casting an orange-yellow hue from the horizon. Despite being a frequent visitor to Bali, I still feel this sense of adventure overtaking me as we wait for the speedboat to Nusa Penida.

I Won A Free Trip To Bali... AGAIN!

While I was scrolling my IG feed, I came across with Wonderful Indonesia's ad - the Trip Of Wonders online quiz. Suddenly, a rush of memories came through. Two years ago, I won the same contest. Since it was a trip for two, my mom tagged along, and we had a great time touring around Bali. Who wouldn't? Our airfare and accommodation were all covered. Plus, the organizers gave us an allowance to fully enjoy our trip! This year, I took the chance. While it was more difficult this year, I still managed to score higher than the others. It was disheartening not to see my name at the scoreboard though. I kept my expectations low. Besides, I have nothing to lose!

A few days after my trip to Sydney, I received an email from Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism. Fast forward, I went back to Bali just two months after my previous visit. I never thought I'd be visiting this revered Island of Gods twice this year!

Spring in Sydney

On my fourth and probably the last visit to Australia for this year, I get the chance to experience their Spring season. Sydney enjoys a milder Spring weather than his hipster brother, Melbourne. It's not too hot, and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket!

I was a bit worried when I arrived in Sydney last Wednesday morning. It was gloomy and overcast the entire day. The weather forecast showed that it would be cloudy in the next four days. But, lo and behold. The sun showed up the following day, albeit the gale-force winds.

Good day, Melbourne!

Adulting is tough. You need to juggle a lot of responsibilities in life like bills, bills, and bills. I would often hear people complaining about this vicious cycle. Yes, it is tough to keep up with everything, but everything is possible. That's why my ATC batch mates who share the same passion for traveling would always make sure that we would have at least one or two trips abroad each year. This year, we chose Melbourne, Australia.

Traveling with these people was easy, except for a minor speed bump we encountered days before our trip (*ahem* visa application of one of our companions). But all is well. Here's how we conquered the second most livable city in the world.

Travel Essentials when Travelling Around Asia

Asia is the world’s biggest continent. With the highest population on earth, Asia boasts of a startling mix of tradition and culture. Its enormity and diverseness make it hard to conceptualize as a single palatable travel spot. Right from the snowfields in the east to the gigantic mountains in the west, traveling to Asia can be an exciting adventure. Don’t forget that the highest mountain in the world Mount Everest is located within this remarkable continent. If you are planning on traveling to Asia for the first time, then it can be hard to know what to carry with you. However, below are the top travel essentials when traveling around Asia. 

Kyoto: A Journey to Japan's Heritage

The urban landscape of Nagoya quickly changed to vast ricefields as the shinkansen train gained speed. My mom, being a first-timer aboard this state-of-the-art bullet train, didn't notice that we were traveling close to 400 kilometers per hour. While peering out the window, thinking of the possible things to do in Kyoto, she got caught off guard by the speeding opposite bound train. The ride to Kyoto was only 40 minutes. I wished it was longer, but my wallet is already screaming – our one-way fare to Kyoto was even more expensive than our roundtrip fare to and from Manila!

I wasn't expecting a lot about our trip to Kyoto. We were scheduled to stay here for three days and two nights. I have already seen a lot of photos and read blogs about this former Imperial Capital, so there was not much of a buzz the moment we stepped out of our train. Boy, I was wrong.

How to Have a Peaceful Getaway Anywhere in the World

Getaways are often just what people need to escape from the usual hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Sometimes, achieving a relaxing holiday can be tricky when you don’t have the right ingredients to make it perfect. This can mean you return from your trip feeling less refreshed than you hope to. Luckily, lots of people have been in the same situation before, which means there are numerous ideas on how you can unwind and enjoy your next holiday. Whether you are hoping to have a staycation or travel to somewhere across the world, there are many hints and tricks you can follow to ensure you have the most peaceful getaway. 

#JaFun Birthday Adventure

Summer in Japan.

The first time I went to Japan, the leaves were falling, the foliage had already started to turn orange, and it was getting colder as days went by. Most streets in Tokyo's financial districts don't sleep at all, and people still wear their corporate attires even at two in the morning. Despite the busy crowd of Tokyo, I was still in awe. How can a big city become so clean and so organized despite having a population of more than ten million? I thought maybe these things only exist in Tokyo. But, Japan is known for being Japan. Man, I couldn't have been more wrong about it.

A Travel Guide Around Sydney, Australia

Sydney rose to fame when it hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics, at least in my case. It went back to mainstream pop culture after the movie, Finding Nemo, mentioned the fictional address of Nemo in Sydney (who couldn't forget Dory's struggle to memorize Nemo's fictional address).

Today, Sydney is an emerging travel destination for Filipinos. With more options available, visiting the famed Land Down Under is finally within our reach. The city is not just about kangaroos and the famous Opera House! One can enjoy the stunning views of Byron Bay, bask in the heat of the sun at Bondi Beach, or even experience the Australian outback adventure - the choices are actually endless! Planning to visit Sydney soon? Here's my comprehensive travel guide, with a few sidenotes in between.

Buckle up, mates! 'Coz you and I are going to the most idyllic city of the Land Down Under!

Taronga Zoo: A Journey To Australia's Unique Fauna

During my first visit to Sydney last year, I never had the chance to visit their zoos due to limited time. It was so silly of me to spend only four days there. So, when I had the chance to revisit Sydney earlier this year, I took the chance.

I've been to several zoos like in Singapore, Indonesia, and in Taiwan before and honestly, I wasn't really expecting that much. The only thing I looked forward to this trip was to see koalas and kangaroos in person. I just kept my expectations low.

Tips on Experiencing Your Vacation Destination Like a Local

Traveling abroad is a chance to relax, experience a new culture, and also to gain a little perspective on life. Most people choose to book into a hotel where they can have their every need met, and spend their time visiting the local museums or traveling to important historical and cultural landmarks. Though this can be a wonderful way to experience a new city, if you are looking to break away from the typical tourist experience, and immerse yourself in the local culture, then you might want to avoid going to the obvious places. Here are some top tips for exploring your latest vacation destination in a way which will allow you to see the city from the local’s perspective. 

Photo Diary: Sunny Singapore

Pardon if this post is almost four months late.

Last February, I was in Singapore with my PPSG (Philippine Planespotters Group) friends to attend the Singapore Airshow 2018. It only happens every two years and I missed the previous one in 2016. In 2017, my PPSG friends already planned to go through this trip. This is actually my first international airshow. To add the fun, I was with my friends who share the same passion for aviation.

Melbourne This Way

Visiting Melbourne was a spontaneous decision as it wasn't part of my original itinerary. It could've been better if I booked a Manila-Melbourne-Sydney-Manila flight.

Still, no regrets.

The Extreme Ghost Tour Experience at Q Station, Sydney

Despite having a comfy flight from Manila to Sydney, I still felt tired. After passing through immigration, I immediately went to the arrival hall, loaded my Opal card, and rode a train to my mate's flat to Burwood. It was raining when I arrived in Sydney. At only 18 degrees, the warm shower and the bed were the only two things that I look forward to.

It was still raining when I woke up. The overcast weather made the day bleak and gloomy. Then, I just remembered the things I watched online a few days ago, and one of them was the ghost tours in Sydney. I asked my mate about it, and the next thing I knew, he already booked us an extreme ghost tour on a weekend, after my trip to Melbourne.

PHOTO DIARY: Kuala Lumpur in 24 Hours

Last month, I went to Singapore with an overnight side trip at Kuala Lumpur. KL wasn't really part of my plan but since Singapore Airlines is utilizing their brand new Airbus A350-900 in their SIN-KUL leg, my aviation geek friends didn't think twice and booked that flight just to have a glimpse of the new aircraft.

Anyway, KL is an easy city. Public transportation is efficient, the place is pretty much neat, and the food is delicious. These are some of the photos I took during my overnight stay in this Malaysian capital.

5 Things You Should Know About Singapore Airshow 2018

Singapore Airshow 2018 is just around the corner, and I can no longer contain my excitement. Happening this February 6-11, 2018, the Singapore Airshow 2018 showcases both commercial and military fixed and rotary aircraft. Four years ago, I attended this event, and I was pretty much blown away by it.

For those who are watching this airshow for the first time, here are the five things that you should know about this event.

PHOTO DIARY: Indochina in Technicolor

Indochina is a geographical term referring to the large peninsula of Asia now known as Southeast Asia. Back in the olden times, ancient kingdoms emerged in some parts, creating alliances with neighboring kingdoms. This region has undergone several wars, peace treaties, and invasions from the West. As a result, it is an amalgam of various cultures, beliefs, and languages which make this region diverse. Today, it is home to more than 7% of the world's total population, with big cities scattered around.

I haven't fully explored Indochina. I still have to visit Myanmar and Laos, which I believe is one of the most underrated and most picturesque countries in the world. This In Technicolor photoset includes some of my favorite photos from my trips in this region from 2014 to 2016.