A walking tour through Hanoiโs Old Quarter became more than sightseeing. From Hoร n Kiแบฟm Lake legends to egg coffee and bustling markets, conversations with local guides revealed a city layered with history, symbolism, and everyday life โ slowly unfolding, one story at a time.
Author: Svetlana
Hanoi Bootcamp: Surviving First 24 hours
The first 24 hours in Hanoi werenโt about sightseeing โ more like a survival course from the moment we landed. From overcoming language barriers to weaving through the streets, the city tested our wits and patience.
When the Journey Is the Experience: Public Transport in the Philippines
From crowded jeepneys to rustic tricycles, we share our firsthand experiences using public transportation in the Philippines โ what works, what to expect, and how to make the journey part of your slow-travel adventure.
November 2025 Travel Budget: Our First Month on the Road
November 2025 was our first full month on the road โ and the first real test of our long-term travel budget. Weโre not budget travelers chasing the cheapest option, but as early retirees we do have a travel budget. Hereโs how much we spent, where it went, and what we learned.
From Island Calm to Manila Chaos: Our Final Chapter in the Philippines
After weeks on quiet islands, Manilaโs towering chaos was a stark finale to our Philippines journey. Between museums, history, and traffic-filled streets, one and a half days captured the cityโs intensity before we moved on to the next adventure.
From Sacred Island to Waterfall Pools: Adventures in Bohol
Despite losing a couple of days in Anda, we managed two memorable half-day trips in Bohol. We explored the mystical caves of Lamanok Island, then later wandered the muddy Cadapdapan rice terraces and cooled off at Can-umantad Waterfall, discovering quiet corners and little joys along the way.
After the Storm: Finding Calm in Anda, Bohol
After a delayed crossing from Siquijor, we found quiet routines, village life, and clear waters in Anda, Bohol โ a place to slow down and breathe again.
Siquijor: Surprise We Didnโt See Coming
What was supposed to be a simple two-hour ferry ride to Bohol turned into two days of unexpected chaos. From rain-soaked streets to the kindness of locals, Siquijor surprised us in more ways than one.
Fast and Slow: Two Ways of Exploring Siquijor
Exploring Siquijor in two very different ways: a day packed with waterfalls, towns, and cliffs, followed by slower mornings and afternoons spent walking along the shore, snorkeling, and hiking unusual trails. A journey that shows seeing more doesnโt always mean experiencing more.
Siquijor: Finding Our Pace
A short ferry crossing brought us to Siquijor, where arrival, settling in, and the first steps of exploration set the rhythm for the days ahead. After the quieter pace of Negros Oriental, we began adjusting to a new place, its routines, and its landscape.