A bit more than a year has passed since I shared about my coffee aspirations. So what happened? Let’s just say that the journey has not been smooth. I had a recent trip to Baguio, as I sought inspiration to … Continue reading TJE 40: Seeking Coffee Inspiration
Sometimes, we tend to look too far out that we ignore treasures nearby. This couple of short trips was all about that: adjusting the focus to see closer objects. Or, basically fitting trips within our hectic schedules. Pagsanjan Falls … Continue reading TJE 39: Looking Closer
Cagbalete is an island off the coast of Mauban, Quezon, in the Pacific Ocean. I went there about two weeks after visiting Boracay. There was a stark contrast between the two islands: Boracay is commercialized, while Cagbalete is raw. However, … Continue reading TJE 35: A paradise in danger before popularity?
So… 10 months ago, I went to Boracay for the first time. When I was traveling the Philippines frequently with friends, back in 2009, we avoided Boracay. That was because we were aware that it’s commercialized. Anyway, I thought of … Continue reading TJE 34: What’s up with Boracay… Really?
It’s been a week since I returned to the Philippines to stay indefinitely, probably for good. For the first 3 days, I got to have an unplanned out of town trip to Subic – awesome! I missed such trips, … Continue reading TJE 33: A series of unfortunate events in my transition
Sticking to my battle against procrastination, I once again finished another travelogue. This is a short video showing how I obtained an open water diver’s license. It had been my dream to obtain a certification in SCUBA diving since trying … Continue reading TJE 29: The right timing: Obtaining my Open Water Diver’s License
Visayas – one of three main island groups in the Philippines, the one in the middle, just recently found itself in the midst of a super typhoon called Haiyan (local name Yolanda). The news that pops up every time I check the internet is just saddening. Not to mention just a month ago, an earthquake hit Bohol and Cebu, also parts of Visayas. In light of these deadly natural phenomena, I can’t help but recall the nice places I’ve seen in this region. Random thoughts: Leyte – home of the best Kinilaw I ever tasted (in Ocho Seafood and Grill … Continue reading Visayas: random thoughts and a call for help
There was not a time I remember in which I provided luxury to my parents ever since I started my career and became self-sufficient. But recently, thanks to a chance vacation, I was able to do so for my mom. I brought her to experience the Music of the Night. Chuseok, the harvest festival and a major holiday in Korea, gave an opportunity for us working here to have 6 days off from work. I grabbed the chance to take a quick vacation in the Philippines! I’ve mentioned previously that my recent home leave was travel packed, and that I … Continue reading TJE 14: Mom, the Music of the Night and my Musical Addiction
Weekend – a perfect chance to recharge. Yesterday, I had the best sleep in three weeks. I just arrived last Wednesday from the Philippines after a 15-day vacation. It was my second home leave and it’s far more hectic than … Continue reading TJE 11: Tired from Vacation but…
