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 […]
The Best Things to do in Cambodia: A Perfect Itinerary
When I first embarked on my solo travels in 2012, I landed in Bangkok and five days later, boarded a train and headed straight to Siem Reap. The temples, thanks to Tomb Raider, had long enchanted me and it just seemed right to see them with my own eyes. Cambodia ended up being my favorite […]
Diving Raja Ampat: An Underwater Paradise
“How will you ever find the words to describe this place?” asked Jack, a fellow diver on the liveaboard. Though a valid question, I was more preoccupied with two even bigger problems: which island out of the thousands in Raja Ampat I’d live out a hypothetical Robinson Crusoe life, and whether or not I really […]