Another year has passed and I really don’t mind ending it—like finally! I felt like this dragon year has eaten me alive with all these “adulting challenges”. From adjusting on a 9 to 5 job to living solo on a studio flat which is on the farther side from my friends’ cribs; I made several life-changing decisions but none is related to marriage/relationships, YET! Haha. Though, I’m glad I survived and still made it to my happy place this Christmas.🇵🇭❤️

Here are my highlights of 2024 with a couple of teas. NB: All thoughts are of my own.

The Eras Tour 2024

(17AUG24) I have joined the concert tour of the century and it was 100% worth it! Never have I watched a concert that was approximately 4 hours long and sang all of her hit songs. Taylor Swift has really justified her era!

I’m not really a die hard fan (and people would absolutely hate me for saying that I can’t even be called a ‘Swiftie’ ) but I adore her music—like whose teenage girl did not grew up nor can relate to her songs?! The way Taylor Swift dedicated her songs to her ex-lovers has moved and empowered a million people. So hats off to that! It was amazing to witness her tour and so, here’s to share my experience from it!
This might sound like a narrative but all thoughts are of my own ;)

2023 Memories

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.

nothing BATH a short trip

(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. 💓

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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! 😉

The SEOUL Search

(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.⚠️

Ciao Italy (part ii)

(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. 😝

2022 Memories

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.

bucketlist-CZECH!

(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!

The German Series: MUNICH

(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. ;)

DUTCH what I Like

(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. 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!

A TOUR-kish Delight (Part2)

(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.

A TOUR-kish Delight (PART 1)

(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

My Princess Diary: #ohsoBRIGHTON

(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.

A Week of SON YEJIN

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

Thank You 2020, Next?

 

will COVID go away if we say 10 nice words a day?

Thank goodness that this year has reached its end; The world has faced so much struggles and devastating events throughout this time from the occurrence of a pandemic to societal issues. 2020 may not be the perfect vision that we expected but I believe that there are still little sparks of joy while we adjust to 'the new normal'. Hence, here's my top 5 precious moments during the this 2nd decade.

My Princess Diary: A Cornwall Staycation

Nope, I won't let this year end without any new musings. Has it really been 8 months

since my last travel? The thought is frustrating and home sickening to me as an overseas worker. Nevertheless, I'm glad that it's inching back to normal here in the UK and I hope the other countries (especially, my dear Philippines!) would go the same as well. We deserve a huge break from this quarantine biz.

Since it's still a hassle to embark on other countries at this point, I'm resuming my travelventures within the UK border instead! This is even my first time to visit the local outskirts of England 😊 Last 14th August, me and my housemates went on a staycation to Cornwall located at Southwest England.

Cornwall felt like the Philippines' Subic or Clark, Pampanga to me. It is home to sandy beach resorts with lodges/facilities owned by a family business. Thus, here's our 3-day itinerary covering some of the go-to places and must-eats in this beautiful harbor!

#2018Recap

Let me just say, that my year was filled with a lot of plot twists. I have revisited some Asian countries and had situations that I never thought would happen.Though I became idle for the second half, I didn't find it regretful as I was able to spend more time with my family and friends before leaping to the next step of my career.We all deserve to take a break once in a while; in fact, my lax months kept me busy besides gym and travelling. ;) So here are my top 10 moments that I’d loved to repeat all over again.

Le Start of My Birthmonth

It was my birthday last October 5th and as usual,I had 2 separate parties for my family and friends.Basically,my pre-birthday was spent with my crew friends at The Barn by Tipsy Pig .This was pretty much one of the most affordable bar&resto that I've dined into with very good ambiance!

(060516) Survivor Tinipak!

more pics on @juliacoleen

I went local this weekend! Although I'm still working on my California blog entry, this just has to go first which I never thought this would be easier to write ;p Anyway, I was on Batangas last Friday then by Saturday evening, I had a sleepover at my friend's house in San Juan. That was the most legit sleepless night I've ever had since we were drinking the night away until 4am--as we were bound to go to Tinipak River!

#2015 Memories

Basically,2015 has been a lot of ups and downs for me.It was full of trial-and-error periods that at the end,all those hardships were worth achieving.Let it be the events I've attended,the things I started to like and the people who became so important to me.So here goes my traditional rundown of the year ;)