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Chibi in a box made by yours truly!💜
Has this year hopped by so quick? Or perhaps, it was just utterly eventful? I randomly don’t like the number ‘23’ for some reasons yet I remained hopeful that this year would be better than the previous—and certainly, it was. 2023 has been my milestone moment despite sad days, a heartbreak and irrational decisions. But these challenges shaped me to become better that led to new beginnings (with travelling on the side, of course😉) as I reached another decade.
So welcome to my world. Here’s my annual year-in review…for better or for worst. NB: all thoughts are of my own.
(11SEP23) I usually spend my September as a travel hiatus from going outside the UK and for this year, I had an overnight stay in Bath! Well, I actually went there on a group tour last July but we didn’t manage to go around the town due to the tour lapses itself. But anyhow, I’m glad that I finally had this chance even for just a short time—-though surely, I’m going to return here! It has become one of my favorite places in England that is perfect for a staycation. 💓
Here’s a short feature to one of England’s elegant cities with a taste of Ancient Rome. The links to my suggested itineraries are included! 😉
(19AUG23) My travel hiatus has come to an end! Yet it felt really quick despite that I’ve been extremely busy as usual since normally, I would fill my days with work while staying in London. That was my way of distraction especially that the month of August has made me miserable at some point---but I’m glad it’s over. There’s absolutely a light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to keep going (and be patient!). ⭐️
So I resumed ticking my travel list as I went to SOUTH KOREA!! It still felt surreal that I finally, finally, FINALLY toured here even for just a short time. There were lapses along the initial planning of this trip but we managed to carry on and made it fun. I definitely need to come back soon!
I will share as much as I can about this trial-and-error trip but please be guided that these are written based on my personal experience. Hence warning, there will be negative comments ahead.⚠️
(24APR23) Who would have thought that I was FINALLY able to come back to Italy?! I have never really thought of touring there again yet but thanks to my friends for bringing me along their trip! We visited the Tuscany/Liguria region which includes Pisa and Cinque Terre---I cannot believe it. What once I was reading in other travel blogs now turned into something that I have gone to. Hence, I guess that the Trevi Fountain wishes must have worked (well, 2 out of 3 coin tosses yet!) ! Check out my pre-pandemic visit to Rome here. 😉
So here’s a 4-day itinerary to one of Italy’s beautiful cities and coastlines. Indeed, this has given us a break from the gloomy weather (and hectic work life) in London. 😝
PS: Yes, I have been watching Spy x Family and I superr love the series! So much love for the Forgers 💝
(31MAR23) In less than 2 months, I can’t believe that I’m back in Asia! Moreso, I am thrilled to spend this year’s Lent in Japan with my family❤️ I know a week’s never enough to tour another continent but I pushed through with this for personal reasons (and I’d save that story for another time, maybe?Haha!) and also to attend my cousin’s wedding. Nevertheless, it’s great to continue my “Japan Tales”—the post-pandemic era. 💓
Of all the countries that I went, it’s Japan that I have visited frequently and it’s a country that I wouldn’t really get tired of going back. It has a very safe community no matter which city you head on despite the language barrier. And apart from being a tech-world and a fashion district, Japan is known for its gastronomical cuisine.
I made a lot of Japan contents over the years already so as answered from my previous Instagram stories, here’s a random entry about my trip in Tokyo which will focus more on the food that I ate there! 😅 I have to say that Japanese food is a necessity for Asians like me and an interesting palate for other walks of life. 😉
(06MAR23) Is it ironic to say that I celebrated my 4th UK anniversary outside GB? I had the saddest February but lets not go in to that. To love yourself is to do the things you want; And so, I went on a very spontaneous solo trip to Sweden. I once told myself not to embark on Scandinavia yet (because it’s expensive) but my not-so irrational decision happened. I might have gone as a lone traveler again though I enjoyed the company of my own. Sweden’s cold, snowy aura has given me the good vibes. 🖤
Here's my 4-day chill and DIY itinerary that I had in Stockholm! I will stow my honest suggestions especially if you are planning to visit this Nordic country during Winter. Believe me, it can be the best time to travel if you want a quiet and crowd-free trip. 😉
NB: My recommended tours in this blog are valid any time of the season!
I hope everyone is having a good start of the year so far! Mine has somewhat an emotional trainwreck as I return to London. My holidays in the Philippines has been my elixir to heal from my personal problems. Words can’t express how thankful I am to be with my family most of those times. And now that I am back in British soil, let me simply say that I’m trying to take things here, one positive day at a time. Thus, enough of that dramatic intro.
I know that this is such a very long overdue blog but let me share my previous summer holiday in France and Belgium with my family! It’s quite promising to tour Paris again after the pandemic and nothing much has changed. We went to almost the same places since it’s my brother’s first Euro trip but there are new activities that we did. Also, we had a weekend side-trip to Belgium which will mostly cover this entry. Brussels is a perfect Euro staycation. You can read my previous trip to Paris here ;)
Oftentimes, I have been asking myself if I had a good run this 2022? The year progressed with a promising note that the world recovers from a 2-year pandemic. Hence, we welcome this ‘new normal’ with open arms while everyone had their own battles and shining moments. And for me, I guess the year has been a bittersweet ride. Were there struggles behind the flags I went? Even people bears it own red flags as well. Not every moment in life has diamonds and glitter. But they are still happy, difficult times in which I commend myself for being brave to overcome it.
This entry might come a little personal as this is my own year-in review. So welcome to my world, folks! Brace yourselves for this narrative post.
(17NOV22) Where is the lie when I said previously that I’m done for my Euro travels this year?! And yet, this is another spontaneous trip as me and my friend had planned it out for only about a week before transit. Though, I cannot believe that I am able to visit my most targeted European country ever---the CZECH REPUBLIC. Even for just a very short time, those 3 days that I have spent there was fulfilling!
Here's to share my 3-day itinerary to this lovely Bohemian country. Let me simply tell this: it’s always a great and cheap deal to travel across Central/Eastern Europe especially when you travel from the UK 😉 If you are in to some medieval and old-fashioned structures, then this is a must-travel place to visit!
(01OCT22) My annual birth month trip happened a little early this time! I usually travel after my birthday but at this rate, I had to go beforehand so I can make it to Oktoberfest in Germany! Albeit, my supposed-to-be trip last year has finally come true. Unfortunately, I had my own lapses at this point—I was sick (NOT COVID) ;( I was somehow at my lowest during those days that I was about to cancel everything that was planned on my birthday (including this trip); But I had to pull myself up. Hence, this trip pushed through.
Here's my simple DIY trip to Munich with the company of my friends there! Also, I decided to blog this first as my visit to Paris and Brussels last August was more of a personal leisure with my family. Nonetheless, I will still write about it at a latter period. ;)
(26JULY22) With just 4 days of rest after my trip to the Netherlands, I went on another Euro adventure towards Hungary! I went solo and very spontaneous that I literally booked it on the last minute! (Say, about 10 days before the flight? ;p) Basically, it was my annual leave from work during that period; I was supposed to spend it with my family however, our plan has to be moved. Hence, this happened alongside that I was in dire need to have a change of scenery. I know I made it to 3 years in the UK but homesickness still kicked me to the gut especially the moment when I transferred to another house and I was in the brink of some personal problems. I even had thoughts of doing an emergency landing to the Philippines but of course, that would be irrational 🙇🏻♀️ So instead, I decided to visit one of my target EU countries on my bucket list 💖
Let me share my chill and steady trip to this country known as the “Paris of the East”. Budapest has certainly gave me that picture of calm while having frequent strolls along the Danube river.
(18JULY22) My summer holiday has got me back on touring the Schengen zone and I started in The Netherlands—FINALLY! It has been one of my plans to visit this country for such a long time since it is near the UK (*NB: I used to plan in touring Europe based on its proximity from the UK but apparently, my trip choices nowadays turn out to be…random. Hence, I kinda let the element of surprise lead me to my next destination instead.) and after 3 cancellations due to COVID and work schedule, it happened. Thanks to my couple friends for tagging along this trip as well! This free country is certainly made for the youth with most attractions scream that YOLO. 🤟🏻
Let me share how our 4 days in Amsterdam passed by quickly in the middle of that deadly heatwave. That weather was so unbearable and I hope that it won’t happen again!
(30APR22) There’s often a side-staycation to another city in every Turkey visit, and the one that currently tops that list is Cappadocia (Kapadokya). Situated in central Anatolia, this region has an exquisite Stonehenge history given its valley rock views apart from its sunrise hot air balloon rides. It’s incomparable to the life in Istanbul, I should say. ;p
Let me share our 2 and a half day stay in this bedrock town. Yet, behind such Instagram-worthy attractions involved a lot of walking through slopes, hiking, and thrill.
(28APR22) Merhaba! I went on a 5-day trip with friends to Turkey, one of the countries that boasts its border between Europe and Asia. It somewhat felt very different that I didn’t embark on my own this time alongside the realization that there are also cons in group travels. Nevertheless, I highly appreciated my squad for touring with me. ^^ Perhaps I might have gotten more used in planning things on my way that’s why the funny feeling came through. 😅
Anyway, this first part covers our whole preparation to travel over the “Land of Turks” and our stay in Istanbul---NOT the country’s capital but the heart of Turks’ tourist attractions.
COVID restrictions might have eased up to its limit in present time but here’s a friendly reminder to stay caution when travelling
January has surely become a free-trial month for me after all the conflicts that arose. Firstly, I became part of the Omicron community which brought me at my lowest over my 2wk quarantine. The flu was worst and it’s a misery to be isolated for such a long time. But blessings in disguise, I felt that it’s better that I got it here at home than in London or else that would absolutely top up the worse of the worst. Then, came some personal problems that makes me not want to return in Londres anymore. Oh, you can never really get away from adulting once started, isn’t it? 🥲 I guess this unexpected long vacation took me to a toll to reflect and unwind. Hence, my last week in my hometown brought me to an Island trip with my family at El Nido Resorts, Palawan! At some point, I missed embarking on sea adventures especially when you always live in the city (cold, gloomy and urbanized to name a slit of my world ;p). And also, I’m excited to tour another part of PH! 🥰
Here’s to share my tour to one of the pristine islands of the Philippines. Take note that this trip was carried on through a travel bubble in which limited visitors were allowed to join and COVID restrictions were strictly observed.
Twenty-twenty ONE thing’s for sure: that this year has been a lot better than the previous despite how COVID continues to evolve its variants. But as least now we are on the verge of getting fully-vaxxed and boosted on the way to normalcy!
Here’s to share my annual highlights in a year of face coverings (and lateral flow tests) ;p
(27JUN21) An army for a day, but rain, rain, it didn’t go away.
Although, we still got to maximize our day trip in one of the finest cities in the South---BRIGHTON.
This blog covers a DIY day tour to “the hippest town in England” that is located in the county of Sussex. I have to say that 1 day ain’t really enough to explore it for all the Instagram-worthy spots it offer. Plus, I will share our experience to the BT 21 Café: pretty much, the highlight of this trip.
(29MAY21) And as Springtime concludes, Me and my housemate went on a trip to York--- One of England’s most beautiful cities in the north. Yorkshire is truly a must-visit place suitable for a staycation sensation with your squad (‘cause they have a good pub life that begins from mid-afternoon to… I don’t know, the wee hours of dawn perhaps? Haha!)
This blog covers a 3-day itinerary from transport, food and to what is expected to see in York. Likewise, this trip has been carried out with observance to the latest COVID restriction policy in the UK.
This was not supposed to be my first post. This was meant to merge with my BinJin 2 Cents (PART 2) but the draft's quite long already and APAN is coming this week-- I mean, no. Screw that award show for letting us think that BinJin's attending the ceremony. I have ranted enough about it on Twitter so I better not pull it out again here. Anyhow, Yejin's birthday week deserves a full blog entry with all the sudden events that happened last week. 🥰 My Sontokkie (name for SYJ's fans) heart is squealing for joy! From her main birthday to a cupsleeve event, I guess it's a blessing in disguise that I had my vacation extended in this capital of fangirling. ;)
Here's a recap of my #11DaysofYejin as part of Yejin's birthday socmed activities in Twitter and the fan events that followed.
NOTE: The outside events were held with caution as per COVID19 restrictions
