LONDON PHOTO JOURNAL

A little throwback down memory lane... British memory lane, to be exact.

I visited London 11 years ago, and honestly, everything still feels so vivid. It was my first stop in exploring this part of Europe, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place to begin. From my first taste of authentic fish and chips to experiencing Miss Saigon on West End—it was unforgettable.

Here’s a random photo journal entry from my time in London. 

Travel Blog: Why Europe? A Look Back At My First Euro-Adventure

As I mentioned in my previous blog that this summer I will be traveling again to Europe. Well, I actually just came back  from that trip and I can’t wait to share my experiences and things that I have seen. It was pretty epic for a short trip. I don’t want it to stop (as most of you will surely feel) but now I am back in Dubai to work and start to dream again of where to go next.



I thought before starting to share my awesome trip, I would like to blog a short story of my first Europe trip. let’s call it a Travel Tuesday flashback.

Two years ago, embarking on my first solo trip in Europe was just a dream. I never thought I will be able to do it. Asians (Southeast Asian in particular) are pretty much not the travel westward kinds. We love to travel but because of all visa applications needed we became confined with our little region (which is really beautiful). So, to travel to famous European spots was a dream come true for a guy like me.

My plan was to go to Paris then travel by train to the South of France (Montpelier and Saint Andre de Sangonis), stayed a few days in Barcelona then fly to Italy to visit Florence, Venice and Rome. It was a good plan and a feasible one I must say.

After getting my visa approved (it was surprisingly easy —-but it took a month) I started thoroughly researching about the places I will be visiting. It was a dreadful period. I was so stressed but my motto was “ginusto mo yan kaya panindigan mo” (you wanted this, so live with it). To cut the story short, although I complained a lot with booking trains, planes and hostels (and all connections), I was able to sort everything out and I was ready to hop on the plane and start my first European journey.



My first destination was Paris and I was warned that “people there are cold and really a snob, everything is very pricey, be careful of pick pockets and also people doesn’t speak English so I need to learn basic French.”

Kick Starting Europe -- Late Backpacking post

I know it has been months already, but I think I deserve a pass to blog about my back packing trip in Europe. I will be sharing the highlights of my trip in a series of blogs (so check on the travel link along the side menus—in the near future)

Traveling Europe will always be part of every gum-shoe’s bucket list. It started as a faith goal for me in 2012 and that goal happened (yey).

First thought of going to the city of Love was overwhelming—-but planning was dreadful. There were times that I was in tears, thinking of where to go, what to do—train connections and squeezing my BUDGET. But then again, as I started with a strong faith, this encouraged me to stay strong and trust God (and truly He provided—will share this in a different post).

Our intern, Sebastian, really helped a lot. He gave me some cool perspective on what to do and where to go. He was so kind also to offer me a place to stay in the South of France (if he’s not in Paris that time).

The moment that I received my visa, I rushed in confirming all my bookings (planes, trains and accommodations). I made sure that I will try all types of accommodations.

Just like a true backpacker, I prepared only one backpack (my brand new North Face bag) and a handy satchel to carry along around every city I will visit—-I decided to bring my Adidas classic canvass shoulder bag, because it is light. I have my camera, hat, map application on my phone , Surat Journal and enough clothes to go around (and be a fashionista around Paris).

My first destination, PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Useful tips in preparing

o   Check all blogs related to the place you will visit. Just make sure to note the top 5 priority sites you want to visit. (for sure you will not be able to go to all the places they will mention, but at least you will be able to visit the BEST—as per your priority list)

o   Check out a number of travel booking sites, this will help you compare flight and hotel fares. I got good rates from www.cleartrip.ae and got good accommodation insights in www.airbnb.com and www.booking.com

o   Ask friends who already went to the place you will visit. This is really helpful (more than the internet).

o   Do not over pack! Just clothes you can use for a good 3 days (then wash them)—washing will be a challenge though. –Also, lifts are really not a thing in Europe.

o   Don’t panic about maps—you can get them in any information center inside the airport.

o   Check online if there are special promos/ passes for people staying for a few days in every city you will visit (note not all promos and passes are beneficial)

o   ENJOY!—you will be visiting one of the best places in the world—just try to look forward seeing the beauty that these places will offer!