May 9, 2023

Monte San Salvatore: Everything You Need to Know

When you visit Lugano, there are two things that come to mind, Lugano Lake and the mountains. For us, who only had one day in Lugano (check if you want see how maximized our day in Lugano), we picked Monte San Salvatore over Monte Brè since we could squeeze a […]
May 2, 2023

A Traveler’s Honest Talk on Money

EDIT: This was written in 2016. A lot has changed in my life. I moved to Vietnam, went back to teaching, and lived the expat life. In November 2021, my two cats and I moved to Munich, Germany. You can follow me on Instagram: @jonajournals for more current life updates. I am […]
April 24, 2023

A Letter to My Younger Self: Here Are 37 Life Lessons from Your 37-Year-Old Version

April 22. Mama said I was born in the afternoon at home with the help of Nang Lodi, the midwife in Tuburan. There are so many things going on in my life right now. I’m gloriously 37. With that age comes a bit of life experiences that I wish the […]
April 19, 2023

The Best Boutique Hotels in Sacramento for Your Romantic Getaway

Unlike California’s glitzy coastal cities, Sacramento’s Central Valley location gives it a sincere, small-town, inviting, and unpretentious feel. In this article, we scoured independent guest reviews after independent guest reviews and compiled the top boutique hotels in Sacramento we could find on Booking.com, and to make it more fun, we threw […]
April 12, 2023

From Expatriate to Entrepreneur: How to Start a Bar Business in the Philippines

Top bars in the Philippines earn from $3 to $11 million per year. Sounds profitable, right? But as an expat, you may face challenges. First, these are legal requirements that may differ significantly from those in your home country. Let’s take a closer look at the process of opening a […]
April 7, 2023

Natvisa: The Solution You Need for Your Visa Application Struggles

Traveling to other countries has been an integral part of human history, with people traveling for various reasons such as leisure, work, education, and trade. One critical aspect of international travel is obtaining the necessary visas for the destination country. In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the visa application process can […]
April 5, 2023

How It Is to Travel Abroad for the First Time with a Philippine Passport

“Timan-i, stranger ka didto.” Remember, you’re a stranger there. The first lesson arrived in a text message from Mama who had no other choice but to accept that I am not settling down just yet, and that I’d rather spend my money travelling than buy my own lot to build […]
April 5, 2023

Whang Od and Her Village

She sighed. She was crouching on the floor, shifting some leaves with her frail-looking wrinkled hands. She then slit the middle of one elongated leaf, which looked like pandan, and inserted the base of another. She repeated the process until she made a beautiful mandala of leaves. She then pushed […]
March 20, 2023

These 16 Independent Bookstores in Seattle Are Sure Worthy of Your Time and Money

Seattle is a city with an infectious love for literature and a thriving independent bookstore scene. Visitors to the city should not miss the opportunity to explore the many charming and unique bookstores that Seattle has to offer. From the iconic and the hip to the cozy neighborhood feel, each […]
March 13, 2023

We Weigh In: When Is the Best Time to Visit Paris

The fact you’re googling the best time to visit Paris is a sign that you’re finally planning your Paris trip. Yey! And you start it right. Before packing your bags, let’s talk about the most important aspect of your journey – timing. Choosing the right time to visit Paris can […]
March 5, 2023

Jesolo Camping: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to This Italian Gem

A beach dotted with blue and yellow sun umbrellas. Lounge seats perfectly lined up like soldiers. Beach peddlers with their kites, trinkets, beach towels, and hats. And a man who occasionally passed by with his wheeled cart of ice cream, beer, and cocktails. And the glorious sun, sky, and alternating […]
February 28, 2023

WHERE TO EAT IN CEBU? The Top 16 Filipino Restaurants in Cebu to Try

Wondering where to eat in Cebu? These top Filipino Restaurants in Cebu are based on personal experience and preference. It’s totally not unheard-of that Cebu is one of the leading tourist destinations in the Philippines. Centrally located in the Philippine archipelago, Cebu, dubbed as the “Queen City of the South” […]