April 21, 2017
SA PA, VIETNAM | Yes, I’m Jona, a Southeast Asian traveler, neither rich nor a begpacker. These are my honest thoughts on the recent “white Begpackers in Southeast Asia” phenomenon. *** That the native does not like the tourist is not hard to explain. For every native of every place […]
March 29, 2017
My year-long trip kicked off in Cambodia. I spent a total of nine nights ( 3 nights Phnom Penh, 3 nights Battambang, and 3 nights Siem Reap) before flying to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (My Malaysia Travel Guide) to catch my flight to Sydney, Australia. I’m going to write it backwards. […]
February 25, 2017
A NOTE FROM THE BLOG OWNER: I met David, then single, and his brother, then newly divorced, on one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines—Siargao! {Check our photos of our Siargao trip!} We went island-hopping together, and they probably sensed that I was a broke traveler that they […]
February 25, 2017
In total, I spent 9 nights in Palawan: two nights in Puerto Princesa, five nights in El Nido, and two nights in Port Barton. Palawan is elongated in shape. I’ve only covered three destinations in the northern part. Since the flights are relatively expensive, it is better to explore and […]
February 18, 2017
Richmond is rich in culinary adventures and cultural attractions. There’s the Liberty Trail, a self-guided walking tour that connects all of Richmond’s historical delights. There’s also the foodies’ trail, which allows you to experience the city on a plate. In between sightseeing and dining, there are also other places worth […]
February 17, 2017
I walk. Often slow. With my eyes processing the sceneries, the ears listening to the conflicting sounds and noises around. I take my time until I could feel my leg muscles silently speaking the language of exhaustion and pain. Walking is the soul of my trips. It deepens my understanding […]
January 23, 2017
The second largest city in Japan, Osaka, is a stark contrast from Tokyo. The local themselves don’t mind a hearty laugh. There is even a joke among Japanese that you know someone is Osakan when the voice is boisterous and unrestricted. Like its lovely locals, Osaka itself has some interesting […]
January 18, 2017
These travel tips to London, curated by Intercontinental Hotels Group, was originally posted on IHG’s blog. London offers a wealth of art and culture, trendy shops and global dining opportunities on both sides of the River Thames. Its thriving entertainment scene ranges from theatres and concerts to clubs and comedy venues. […]
January 18, 2017
A note from the blog owner, Jona: I haven’t been to Vang Vieng myself, but this was not the first time I heard about hostels offering free whiskeys to guests in aaos. We stayed in Luang Prabang, Laos for three nights, and we personally had a nasty encounter with the […]
December 28, 2016
Even with the world at your feet, it can be tempting to revisit your favourite places when you go on holiday. But if you’ve had enough of the same sea and sand, you can easily head to different places for a new adventure. To avoid the same tourist traps and […]
December 13, 2016
It was TEDxUPCebu that invited me first to debunk the popular dictum [quit your job and travel the world] after some of the students read my open letter Dear Isa, It Is All Right Not to Travel here on BWAB. But I’m leaving Cebu to pursue a year-long trip abroad while fending […]
December 5, 2016
This first appeared on my column Down South on Interaksyon.com. Moalboal Hale Manna Resort and Coastal Garden MOALBOAL, CEBU, PHILIPPINES—These past days, work—both self- and client-assigned—became overwhelming that I already entertained magic spells on how to grow another head, feet, and hands to finish everything on schedule. Books to read, […]