May 8, 2025

One Day in Lugano: The 10 Best Things to Do

Lugano is the kind of place that doesn’t need to try hard – it just is. Tucked into the steep shores of a glimmering alpine lake that stretches across Switzerland and Italy, it’s a town where Swiss efficiency flirts unapologetically with Italian flair. And honestly? It works. Big time. This was […]
March 29, 2025

Ten Philippine Destinations Where Your $100 Can Go Far

Said the overly quoted Pico Iyer, “We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, […]
April 29, 2024

MALAYSIA BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE | Budget, Itinerary, and Accommodation

MALAYSIA BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE | Hello there! A version of this guide is posted on Rappler. You see, Malaysia is often my jumpoff point for my past trips (Indonesia, India, Australia) since it has the biggest airport hub from Cebu, Philippines. I’be been there five times already. During my recent […]
January 12, 2024

The Ultimate 40 Siargao Tourist Spots You Must Experience

Often, Siargao Island is described as a tear drop-shaped island. But, meh, I don’t buy it. It is more like a rough diamond cut, which was really the case some years ago. Siargao Island, although many locals will say otherwise, is gradually taking the route most popular destinations take. In […]
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 […]
October 28, 2023

Your Ultimate South Cebu Tourist Spots Guide from a Local

Last edit: February 2023 | I included a frequently asked questions section at the bottom of this South Cebu Tourist Spots | Things to Do in South Cebu post. If you got a question, fill free to leave a comment below. I check my blog all the time and answer […]
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

Money Guide for Travelers from Developing Countries: Why You Must Have a Separate Travel Fund Bank Account

Money Guide for Travelers from Developing Countries is not usually discussed. Personally, the courage to travel is one thing; having the dough to travel is another. In most cases, I build my courage and travel fund together. The Importance of Why You Should Keep a Separate Travel Fund Account should […]
May 2, 2023

How I Saved Up Php180000 [$3700] for My Year-long Trip?

EDIT: This was written in 2016. A lot has changed in my life. You can follow me on Instagram: @jonajournals  First, let me tell you a little story. My older sister, a single mom who is raising her two sons alone, bought a piece of land some months ago. She […]
May 2, 2023

Yes! Not Everyone Can Quit Their Jobs to Travel Abroad

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. Some […]
May 2, 2023

A Developing Country Citizen’s Perspective: What’s Wrong with “Leave Everything Behind and Travel the World”

 I shared the table with a Dutch traveler for our complimentary breakfast of coffee, two toasts, and few slices of melon—something that the Burmese or us Filipinos do not normally have for breakfast. But I enjoyed it, nonetheless, especially after an hour or so of pedaling on sandy paths, checking […]