Siargao in the Philippines is a water-lover and general adventurer’s dream. A surfer’s paradise with a playful soul to it, it’s also a place that evolves a lot as one travels through it. I spent about a week there, and while I could easily do a month, most of us can’t devote that much time […]
The Seven Stages of Solo Traveling
Over the past few months I’ve been traveling alone again in Southeast Asia, completely winging it, not on any paid projects or assignments, and without any itineraries. It’s been a return to the root of my travels, and one that’s been amazingly enriching, leading me to some of my best adventures and most story-worthy experiences […]
Mystical Siquijor: The Best Experiences on the Island
Located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, Siquijor is locally known as ‘Esla del Fuego’, or the island of fire, not because of a raging volcano like I initially thought, but because of its mystical fireflies. “When you see them out, you know there’s magic around,” said Noel, a local who generously offered to […]
Sober in Southeast Asia: An Impossible Mission?
I remember that afternoon in my Berlin apartment expressing to a friend of mine, who also doesn’t drink, that I was afraid of going back to Southeast Asia as a solo traveler without being a drinker anymore. It had been three years since I’d been back and I remembered it as quite the party place. […]
The Truth About Naysayers
Lately I’ve been meeting more solo female travelers on the road (yay!), and asking about their stories. I love learning what motivates someone to travel alone, whether it’s the freedom, the desire to heal, or because it’s just the best way to travel. Ever. Though they obviously decided to make their dreams a reality, during […]