June 5, 2026

Your Ultimate Ninh Binh Travel Guide: 17 Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam + Ninh Binh Itinerary

With my four years in Vietnam, Ninh Binh singularly took the number one spot as the most visited. I regularly visited this place on my own especially during the pandemic since it is just 1 hour and 30-min away from Hanoi by limousine—the locals’ word for spacious shared van. When […]
June 1, 2026

Hanoi Travel Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Welcome to my beloved Hanoi, a city that never fails to surprise. As someone who’s called this place home for four years, I can assure you that each street, market, and hidden corner has a story waiting to unfold. This Hanoi travel itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to dive […]
May 29, 2026

Traveling to Singapore for the First Time: All You Need to Know

If you’ve ever wandered into Singapore for the first time, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into a paradox—an urban jungle that’s at once futuristic and profoundly traditional. I’ve been there twice, and each visit unraveled new layers of this young and small country’s genius. It’s a place where […]
May 21, 2026

Astoria Palawan Personal Review: An Irresistible and Amazing Staycation in Puerto Princesa

This Astoria Palawan blog review first appeared on my column Down South on Interaksyon.com. I included more photos here to give justice to the beauty of this place. PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES—An egret ambled around my deck, peering through the glass wall of my own sanctuary. It must be looking for food. […]
January 25, 2026

Traveling: Then and Now

Raw and immediate. When I first started traveling solo in the Philippines, everything was. I moved on instinct — hiring cabal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver to take me to hidden beaches, tiny towns tucked away from any map, and waterfalls that felt like secrets. Group tours were for reasons only very […]
January 8, 2026

Let’s Admit It: The Philippines Is Not At Par with Vietnam and Thailand

I’d spent a good amount of my mid-20s to mid-30s traveling around Southeast Asia in a wheeled backpack that lasted way longer than most of my love affairs. My curiosity and hunger for the unknown was as full as my backpack. Border-crossing was as adventurous and logistically irritating and tiring […]
May 9, 2025

Apo Island Scuba Diving: Your Ultimate Guide

I earned my PADI license in Dauin, just a salty splash away from those iconic shores, and the first thing I did was celebrate with Apo Island scuba diving. Because really—what better way to mark a milestone than by slipping beneath the waves of a place that feels half myth, half […]
September 2, 2024

Best Time for a Dubai Desert Safari: Your Desert Seasons Guide

Going on a desert safari is much more than taking a thrilling ride through sand dunes. It is opportunity to soak in the captivating beauty of the desert. The unending dunes, beautiful sunset view, and thrilling adventure make a desert safari must-do activity in Dubai. However, to enjoy a desert […]
August 1, 2024

A Pretentious Solo Backpacker Joined a Tour for the First Time in Camotes Island

I forgot to bring a jacket. The air was thick with the distinct smell of an air-conditioned vehicle. A slightly smaller yellow bus, three vans, and some private Pajeros were in front of our bus, the biggest among the rest. I took the number of vehicles as premonitions and folded […]
November 29, 2023

A Mix of New and Established 27 Instagrammable Cafes in Singapore to Check Out

Small countries like Singapore have a certain charm that big countries lack. For a young nation like Singapore, its economic growth is incredibly rapid, making it one of the most expensive countries to travel to. But budget travelers, take heart—hawker culture, affordable cafes, and budget accommodations make Singapore worth at […]
November 20, 2023

Malapascua Island Guide | 17 Things to Do in Malapascua Island from a Local

This is the most updated Malapascua Island Cebu, Philippines Travel Guide 2024 Snobbery is an unlikely character of a wanderlust. A traveler opens not only their heart but also their mind to the intricacies and complexities of a place. It is inevitable, however, that there are places I considered too […]
November 4, 2023

Apo Island Dumaguete | 14 Amazing Things to Do in Apo Island in 2023

This Apo Island Travel Guide covers all the top things to do in Apo Island Dumaguete, Philippines. It also covers all the travel essentials you need to make your stay more memorable. A little note: Apo Island is different from Apo Reef in Mindoro. Apo Island is a little island […]