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Every trip on the blog, newest first. Pick a country to narrow it down.

AustraliaFour Spring Days in Hobart: Mount Wellington, Salamanca Market, Battery Point and MONAI had always pictured Tasmania as somewhere you need a car, a tent and two weeks. In the…October 22, 2026BruneiInto the Green Heart of Brunei: A Day Trip to Ulu Temburong National ParkMost people think of Brunei as golden mosques, quiet streets and a very wealthy sultan. Few realise that…October 3, 2026United StatesExploring Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory, the Getty, Santa Monica and Hollywood Sign ViewsLos Angeles is not a city you can “do” on foot. It is enormous, the sights are spread…September 13, 2026IndonesiaLombok and the Gili Islands in the Dry Season: Boats, Turtles and Quiet BeachesEveryone told me Bali was too crowded in July and August, and that the best escape was just…August 22, 2026United StatesSan Francisco in Summer: Fog, Cable Cars and the Golden Gate BridgeBefore this trip, a friend who had lived in California gave me one piece of advice: “Pack a…August 6, 2026JapanOld Tokyo in Summer: Asakusa’s Lantern Plant Market and a Walk Through YanakaOn my previous trips to Tokyo I spent most of my time in Shibuya and Shinjuku, staring up…July 15, 2026MalaysiaIsland Hopping, Sunsets and Seafood: Four Easy Days in Kota KinabaluI had heard that Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah on Borneo, is the kind of place where…June 24, 2026SingaporeExploring Katong, Joo Chiat and Tiong Bahru: Singapore’s Most Charming Heritage NeighbourhoodsOn my previous trips to Singapore I spent most of my time around Marina Bay and Orchard Road.…June 6, 2026IndonesiaExploring Bandung: Kawah Putih, Tea Hills and the Old Streets of BragaWhenever Jakarta gets too hot and too busy, people there say the same thing: go to Bandung. The…May 18, 2026South KoreaTwo Days in Gyeongju: Exploring Korea’s Open-Air Museum in SpringGyeongju had been on my list for years. It was the capital of the Silla kingdom for almost…April 29, 2026JapanDeer, Cherry Blossoms and the Great Buddha: A Spring Day Trip to NaraI had seen the photos a hundred times: wild deer wandering under pink cherry trees, giant wooden temples,…April 10, 2026TaiwanTwo Days in Taichung: Rainbow Village, Gaomei Wetlands Sunset and Fengjia Night MarketTaichung is the city most visitors to Taiwan skip. Everyone rushes between Taipei and the south, and the…March 19, 2026AustraliaGold Coast and Brisbane in Late Summer: Beaches, Pelicans and KoalasLate summer in south-east Queensland means hot mornings, sticky afternoons and the occasional thunderstorm that turns the street…March 5, 2026Hong KongHiking Dragon’s Back in Winter: From Shek O Peak Down to Big Wave BayWhen people in Saigon ask me why I keep going back to Hong Kong, they expect me to…February 16, 2026JapanOtaru and Sapporo in Winter: Snowy Canals, Music Boxes and Soup CurryGrowing up in Vietnam, snow was something I only saw in films and Christmas cards. So when cheap…January 26, 2026MalaysiaA Day in Kuala Lumpur: Batu Caves in the Morning, the Old Town in the AfternoonMost people I know treat Kuala Lumpur as a shopping stop: Bukit Bintang, the malls, a photo with…January 6, 2026ThailandChiang Rai in the Cool Season: The White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Black HouseEvery time someone posts a photo of the White Temple in Chiang Rai, my phone seems to know…December 16, 2025MalaysiaTwo Slow Days in Malacca: Dutch Square, Jonker Street and Nyonya FoodI had been to Kuala Lumpur a few times, but somehow I had never made the short trip…November 30, 2025JapanChasing Red Leaves in Kyoto: Tofukuji, Nanzenji, Eikando and ArashiyamaEvery year my social media fills up with photos of Kyoto temples drowning in red maple leaves, and…November 10, 2025South KoreaAutumn in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden and Bukchon on FootI have been to Seoul in winter and in spring, but everyone kept telling me that autumn is…October 28, 2025TaiwanA Day Trip from Taipei to Shifen and Jiufen: Sky Lanterns, Waterfalls and TeahousesAlmost everyone who visits Taipei ends up doing the same day trip: the hillside town of Jiufen and…October 10, 2025ThailandA Day Trip to Ayutthaya: Trains, a River Ferry and the Buddha Head in the Tree RootsI had walked past pictures of the stone Buddha head wrapped in tree roots for years, on postcards…September 26, 2025Hong KongA Day Trip to Lantau Island: Ngong Ping 360, the Big Buddha and Tai O Fishing VillageMost people picture Hong Kong as neon signs, packed MTR trains and towers squeezed against the harbour. So…September 6, 2025MalaysiaA Day in Air Itam: Riding Up Penang Hill and Exploring Kek Lok Si TempleMost people come to Penang for the food and the old shophouses of George Town, and honestly, so…August 15, 2025AustraliaExploring Melbourne in Winter: Laneways, Coffee, Free Trams and Queen Victoria MarketEveryone warned me that July is the wrong month for Melbourne. It is the middle of the Australian…July 27, 2025JapanOsaka Street Food: What I Ate in Dotonbori and Kuromon MarketEveryone who has been to Japan told me the same thing before I left: Tokyo is for sightseeing,…July 10, 2025South KoreaRiding the Sky Capsule in Busan: A Coastal Day From Haeundae to CheongsapoEvery time I told someone I was going back to Busan, they asked the same thing: “Have you…June 18, 2025IndonesiaExploring Malang and Batu: Rainbow Villages, Flower Gardens and Cool Highland AirAfter a hot and hectic few days in Surabaya, my friend and I wanted somewhere cooler and slower.…June 3, 2025ThailandA Day Trip From Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Maeklong Railway MarketGrowing up in Vietnam, I thought I already knew what a floating market looked like. I have been…May 16, 2025TaiwanThree Slow Days in Tainan: Walking Taiwan’s Oldest City on FootSome trips are about ticking off as many sights as possible. This one was the opposite. I gave…May 3, 2025AustraliaYour Guide to Getting Around Sydney with Ease Using the Opal CardI’m flying to Sydney tomorrow! Because my Australian visa was approved so last-minute, I only just finished planning…April 17, 2025TaiwanExploring the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in TaiwanChiayi City, Taiwan, isn’t just a pit stop for the legendary Alishan mountain trek—it’s also home to the…March 24, 2025IndonesiaTop 5 Cafes in Jogja Perfect for WorkingIf you’re traveling in Indonesia, especially in Jogja, and suddenly work or assignments pop up, what do you…March 15, 2025JapanMust-Try Dishes When Traveling to Miyagi Prefecture, JapanHello there! Over the past few days, you’ve read plenty about Miyagi Prefecture and its capital, Sendai, on…February 14, 2025TaiwanExploring Unique Temple Architecture Around Lotus Pond in KaohsiungAccording to my earlier post, I spent the morning exploring Pier-2 Art Center, strolled along the scenic Hamaxing…January 23, 2025JapanThings You Need to Know Before Exploring Miyagi Prefecture, JapanHello friends! It’s such a joy to be writing this blog post on Bill Balo, especially because it’s…January 22, 2025ThailandChiang Mai Travel Guide: How to Get There & Make the Most of Your TripHello everyone! Around this time of year, many travelers from Vietnam are gearing up to head to Thailand…October 31, 2024Hong KongHow to Enjoy a Full Day at Hong Kong DisneylandIn my previous post, I shared how to get cheaper Hong Kong Disneyland tickets from Vietnam and gave…September 17, 2024Hong Kong5 Unique Ways to Discover a Different Side of Hong KongIf you’re a fan of TVB dramas, Hong Kong is probably high on your travel bucket list. Known…July 29, 2024BruneiA Sleepless Night Exploring MiriLast Day in Brunei It was my final stretch in Brunei. After that day at Kampong Ayer floating…July 8, 2024ThailandHot Air Balloon Adventure in Chiang MaiWoo-hoo! Keep going, and you’ll get there—yep, it’s true, folks. Some things I never even dreamed of, yet…May 14, 2024AustraliaHow to Travel to Blue Mountains from Sydney by Train – The Cheapest and Easiest WayHey folks! Yesterday, after I finished my skydiving adventure, I treated myself to a huge bowl of pho…April 14, 2024JapanZao Kitsune Mura – The Unique Fox Village in Miyagi, JapanMy journey through Miyagi Prefecture just keeps getting more and more exciting. After leaving the capital city of…April 4, 2024BruneiThe Road to BruneiTrip Summary February 12: Ho Chi Minh City – Kuala Lumpur (Flight) February 15: Kuala Lumpur – Kuching…March 25, 2024ThailandA Rundown of Phuket Travel – ThailandI’ve been in Phuket for quite a while—pretty much explored every nook, cranny, and island, near and far.…December 22, 2023South KoreaOne-Day Busan Itinerary: A Cultural Adventure Ending at Gamcheon Culture VillageThis post continues from my previous Busan travel guide. You can read Part 1 here for the full…December 21, 2023IndonesiaJourney to the Crater of Bromo MountainMaybe it’s the thrill of new trips that pushes me to write—finishing old travel tales to share fresher…October 29, 2023South KoreaNight Views and Dinner at N Seoul Tower, South KoreaWhen you’re in Seoul, it’s impossible to miss the iconic N Seoul Tower, also known as Namsan Tower.…October 21, 2023ThailandA Day in the Entertainment Paradise of PattayaLocated about 103 miles (165 km) southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya—Thailand’s entertainment paradise—was the destination I debated the most…October 8, 2023IndonesiaThe Stunning Road to Bali’s Sacred Tanah Lot TempleHello, Bali! If you’ve trekked across Java like I just did, you’ll see Bali’s a whole different vibe…September 24, 2023IndonesiaExploring the Thousand-Buddha Temple of BorobudurPerched in Central Java, Indonesia, about 25 miles (40km) northwest of Jogjakarta’s center, Borobudur—the Thousand-Buddha Temple—rises like a…August 9, 2023Malaysia11 Must-Visit Islands for Your Malaysia Travel AdventureMalaysia’s got over 800 islands—big and small—scattered across its two peninsulas and around Borneo. Nearly a million folks…August 7, 2023IndonesiaSunrise and Cloud-Hunting at Bromo MountainMeeting my friend again felt like a rebirth. Sitting in his car, the heat radiating from me seemed…July 31, 2023JapanSendai Station – The Beating Heart of Miyagi’s Capital CityIn the previous post, I introduced you to Miyagi Prefecture — a place that may not be as…July 12, 2023TaiwanDiscover the Wonders of the National Palace Museum in Taipei, TaiwanMany travelers tend to skip museums, but Taiwan is different. Every museum here is grand, beautiful, and full…July 7, 2023SingaporeA Foodie’s Journey Through Singapore’s Culinary SceneSingapore’s not just famous for its sleek modern architecture and jaw-dropping cleanliness—it’s a Southeast Asian foodie crossroads too.…June 30, 2023SingaporeRevamping Your Singapore Trip with Thrilling Adventure ActivitiesSingapore’s not just one of the world’s sleekest nations—it’s a hotspot for adventure buffs too. Despite its tiny…June 25, 2023BruneiKampong Ayer Floating VillageThe past few days in Brunei, I’ve just been poking around the outskirts, not hitting the center yet.…June 10, 2023BruneiThe Desire to Study in BruneiToday’s story starts from yesterday afternoon when I first rolled into Brunei. After waiting over 30 minutes at…May 26, 2023SingaporeDiscover a Different Side of Singapore: Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures in the CitySingapore, often dubbed the “Jewel of Southeast Asia,” is not only famous for its modernity and cleanliness but…May 23, 2023SingaporeBest Outdoor Picnic Spots in Singapore for a Weekend EscapeIf you live and work in Singapore, chances are you’ve become quite familiar with the bustling city life—maybe…May 14, 2023MalaysiaAdding Legoland Water Park to Your Johor Bahru Travel ItineraryLately, I’ve been hammering out posts about Legoland Malaysia in Johor Bahru, including a nod to the water…April 25, 2023AustraliaExploring Blue Mountains in Sydney – A Must-Visit Australian Travel SpotThe Blue Mountains near Sydney are a stunning must-see for anyone hooked on nature. Famous for jaw-dropping landscapes,…April 13, 2023MalaysiaExploring George Town: The Strange Allure of Penang’s Old TownAfter a comfy night’s rest in Penang, I kicked off my adventure in George Town—the city’s most famous…April 7, 2023United StatesCodeshare Flights – Benefits You Need to Know When Booking TicketsRecently, when booking a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to the U.S., my family hit a snag…March 16, 2023Hong KongExploring Apliu Street Flea Market and the Forgotten Rooftops of Hong KongWhen people think of Hong Kong, what often comes to mind is a bustling, prosperous metropolis—with glitzy skyscrapers…March 14, 2023IndonesiaPassing Through Ubud, Gazing at Batur Volcano, and Visiting the Legendary Besakih TempleMy 7-day journey exploring Indonesia’s Java strip has wrapped up—pretty much a smashing success. The plan was tight…February 6, 2023South KoreaPanoramic Views of Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) in Jeju, South KoreaHello friends! My journey through South Korea has officially taken me to Jeju Island, and today I want…November 30, 2022AustraliaDining Spots Around Sydney Opera House in AustraliaStepping into Sydney, Australia for the first time, who wouldn’t be pumped to lay eyes on the Sydney…November 23, 2022Taiwan5 Essentials to Prepare Before Your Trip to TaiwanHey everyone! I’ve barely finished blogging about one trip and another one’s already here. Honestly, I keep telling…October 29, 2022