Paris in Four Days: A Journey Through the City of Light

There are cities you visit, and there are cities that absorb you. Paris is the latter. It is a place that exists in the collective imagination as much as it does in reality—romanticized, immortalized, stamped into postcards and film reels. Yet, no amount of expectation fully prepares you for its first embrace, the way it shifts from fable to something tactile, something lived. I arrived, weary from the long haul of travel, carrying the weight of distance, time zones crossed, and disrupted sleep. And yet, as the taxi moved through the city's arteries, the fatigue gave way to something else: a recognition, as if I had been here before, in a dream or another life.

Top 10 Travel Moments of 2024

2024 has been my most well-traveled year yet, filled with a beautiful mosaic of adventures woven together by spontaneity and delightful surprises. Even though some of my trips had a work aspect, they all provided wonderful opportunities to explore off-the-beaten paths, turning side trips into the beautiful highlights of my journeys. In this blog, I’m excited to share the vivid moments that made these travels so special—the unexpected encounters, the stunning views, and the delightful meals that linger on the palate long after the journey concludes. I’ll skip over the not-so-glamorous parts, though: the long airport layovers, the immigration lines, the traffic jams, and those frantic dashes to catch nearly missed flights. While these moments were part of the adventure, they didn’t overshadow the joy of creating beautiful memories. So, let’s dive in together!

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: 

Back in Hong Kong after 8 years

Nestled along the southern coast of China, Hong Kong stands as a vibrant metropolis where East meets West, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese culture with the dynamic pace of modern urban life. 

From its bustling markets and culinary delights to its lush green landscapes and iconic Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong captivates visitors with its diversity and energy, making it a captivating destination that bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. 

Join me on a journey to explore the multifaceted allure of Hong Kong, a city that encapsulates the spirit of dynamism and cultural fusion.

Thailand It That Way... Again.

I was excited as my Singapore Airlines flight descended towards Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi (pronounced as Soowanapoom) Airport. Excited was an understatement, to be fair. Seated in the aisle part of the premium economy of the Airbus A350-900, I couldn't see any landmarks from the window. My only guide was the flight information map from my inflight entertainment system. Apart from finishing an entire movie of Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, I was entertained. Great movie, by the way. It took our flight forever to taxi toward our assigned gate. Bangkok's international airport is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. 

A Talk for Atok

This trip was a spontaneous one. My friends had already booked their flights and tour at Atok, Benguet, a week before this trip. It has been ten years since I visited Baguio. From NAIA 3, we went straight to PITX, the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange. It's a centralized bus terminal with numerous bus networks from Manila to any point within Luzon. We took the first-class bus to Baguio City. It has a reclining chair, an entertainment system, and a lavatory. We left PITX around 10 PM and arrived at Baguio at around two.

As we meandered around the street, we got lost while looking for our hostel but eventually found our way after several minutes.

The following morning, we had a hearty breakfast at Good Taste, Baguio's famous family restaurant. The food was delicious and very affordable! The van terminal to Atok was just right across from the restaurant. I don't know what's in store for us, but we're off to an exciting part.

Four Years Ago

Okay, hear me out. It's hard to update this travel blog regularly for obvious reasons. I have written more posts on my (personal) blog this year! Today, before I went to work, I found my old external hard drive. It's where I store all my raw photos and videos from my travels from 2014 until late 2019. Since I still have unpublished and unedited photos, I started browsing the 2017 folder. 2017 was so special to me. It was the year I got transferred to Davao, finally got tenured at work, and visited Sydney for the first time, one of my favorite places in the world. Man, I miss my old life. 2017 feels like four decades ago! Those were the days when I'd message my friends and alert them about an ongoing seat sale, read all the travel blogs to formulate my travel itinerary, and watch some travel vlogs on YouTube.

These are some photos I've salvaged (LOL) from my old hard drive and post-processed on Lightroom. I am 100% that I haven't published these on any of my social media posts.

Legazpi Village, Makati City: Through The Eyes of 7Artisans Lens

Okay, I haven't been updating my travel blog for two reasons: One, there are still travel restrictions around the Philippines, and there is nothing we can do about it. Traveling isn't the best thing to do right now, especially in the middle of a pandemic. And two, I have already finished writing and editing all of my backlogs from my previous travels.

Anyway, this post isn't just for the sake of updating my travel blog, but this is something about rekindling my passion, and that is writing and photography.

Best Laid Plans: How to Travel Safely amid COVID-19

For some, the idea of a long vacation and family break is well overdue. However, as the global pandemic continues, it's difficult to know when life will return to some sort of normality. Travel may be restricted right now, but many holidaymakers are already looking ahead to a brighter future, one which includes booking and enjoying a well-deserved break. 

When (or if) your holiday is given the green light you must take the right kind of precautions and understand the health risks involved. Right now, we've got more to worry about than those pesky mosquito bites! Here we'll explore how you and your family can travel safely amid Covid-19 and still enjoy your holiday! Read on to find out more. 

Travel Restrictions for Filipinos during COVID-19 Pandemic

Today, community quarantine and lockdown in some countries have already been lifted, and borders have finally reopened. A few airline companies have mounted flights to major destinations. Some businesses have already opened to cater to the needs of the public. Everyone is gearing towards the new normal. Here are some of the travel requirements if you wish to travel to countries from the Philippines.

PAL July 2020 Cheapest Seats from Manila to USA/Canada

Ever dreamed of visiting the other side of the world? North America has a lot to offer. One can enjoy the beaches and sunsets in Los Angeles, or be amazed by the views of Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The lush landscapes and mild weather in Vancouver can be a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, or if you're into big cities, be prepared to be enamored by the fast-paced life and the concrete jungle of New York City. Toronto is a mix between the two, making it an ideal city to visit.

Make these dreams into reality as Philippine Airlines is currently having a mid-year sale promo! Book your tickets now! I have the details below.

PAL Mid-Year Sale this 2020!

PAL at NAIA 2

I won't deny that I miss traveling. When everything's back to normal, I know everyone's itching to fly again. Well, I have some good news for you! Philippine Airlines is launching a mid-year sale promo in the coming days. Travelers can surely enjoy the safe skies and safe travels with the Heart of the Filipino.

Fraudulent Transactions

Photo by Code Mnml on Unsplash

Last week, as I was busy watching Crash Landing On You on Netflix. I received two text messages from BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands). Reading these messages gave me a heart attack. In the first text, I was charged by Facebook Ad Vietnam with an amount of VND 393,000. That's roughly Php 850. The second one was VND 20,000, or Php 50. Since these transactions were fraudulent, I immediately called the bank. It didn't take more than 3 minutes to reach them, thank God. I gave my card number and verified a few personal details to the customer representative.

Group Tour at Seoul, South Korea

The plane banked to the right as it prepares for its final approach. It was 7:30 in the evening and the twilight sky glowed propitiously. As we cleared the clouds, the entire expanse of Seoul spread below us. The world suddenly felt wide and open that I wanted to jump and taste freedom. The city lights started to glitter just like stars dropping to earth. Buildings big and small collided in a mixture of light, shadow, and geometry. Tiny vehicles rushing along tangled lines of streets and avenues creating twisting threads of lights–they all intertwined together in a magnificent mess of dream. I sighed, amazed at the view laid out before me.

Why Long-term Travel Isn't For Me

Five minutes after we departed Changi International Airport, the seatbelt sign has finally been switched off by the captain. The cabin crew stood up and started to serve hot meals. To kill time, I watched Dear Other Self on my in-flight entertainment system. The Filo movie was about a working girl on her mid-20s who tried to venture travel blogging and long-term travel. I couldn't help but think what is it like to be in her shoes.

What if one day I would just quit my job, pack my bags, and just travel around the world?

Or maybe not.

Travel Essentials: FitFlop Sneakers

Everyone knows I love to travel. I always thirst for adventure. I love exploring uncharted territories, try exotic cuisines, and meet new friends along the road. Sometimes, too much isn't good in traveling. We always get tired of walking around from day to night. Having said that, choosing a footwear fit for traveling can be tricky.

Today, I won't have to worry because I have finally found the perfect footwear for my travels.

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. 

To The Land of Oz: An Overview of Sydney, Australia

I was only ten when I first heard about Sydney, Australia. During that time, the city hosted Millenium Olympics, but I never paid attention to it. It wasn't until three years later when I encountered this city again, this time in the movie, Finding Nemo. I thought to myself why not visit this country. From then on, it became an obsession. I have begun reading fun facts about Australia - its unique flora and fauna, culture, food, and its accent.

Fast forward to 2017, I managed to find a cheap flight to the Land Down Under, and next thing I knew, I was already there!

PHOTO DIARY: My Top Ten Favorite Travel Photos

A few days, I was invited to be one of the speakers of M3 - Millenial Mixer Meetup, a hangout for millennials with passion and purpose. I had a quick talk about the challenges of a millennial traveler. I promise that I'd make a blog post about it, but for the meantime, I would like to share my top ten favorite travel photos which I presented after my talk.

This list might change as I continue to explore more places in the near future. As Hans Christian Andersen puts it: To travel is to live.

Travel OOTD

Traveling does not just give you opportunities to experience new cultures and see the world in a different perspective, it also gives you the opportunity to mix and match your preferred outfit, depending on the prevailing climate or weather. In this day and age, having a stylish outfit without compromising comfort is a must. Here are some of the outfits I wore in three different seasons.