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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tips From the Banker: The Real Cost of Travel in Thailand
2018 update: I originally wrote this post in 2013, traveling in Thailand on a shoestring. I returned this year with a bigger budget, spending more on accommodation and transport, though some categories, like food, have remained the same. You’ll see both options in this post. I’ve now spent five months traveling in Thailand, making it […]