The Night When We Ditched our Hotel Room in Hong Kong

We touched down at Hong Kong International Airport minutes before midnight. I was so happy after hearing the pilot's announcement that it was only 11 degrees outside. But because it took me an hour to figure out how to install the local SIM card on my phone, it wasn't until 1:30 when we finally got out of the airport. Thank God for Uber.

As the skyline of Hong Kong grew, my friends and I were looking forward to a good night's sleep. Before anything else, here's a backstory on how we got our hotel: A month before our trip, Kat found a hotel for the four of us. The price was only Php 23,000 for four nights, and it's centrally located along Nathan Road, Kowloon. The reviews from a booking website look legit, so I didn't bother.

What we Can Learn About Travelling From Famous YouTubers

Have you ever thought of traveling full-time like those awesome YouTubers? Some of us can only dream, but the reality is there for some! If you’ve decided to take the plunge and travel full-time, there are many things to consider and travel hacks that can help you make the most out of your new lifestyle. Let’s dive deeper into some of these travel hacks and unique lives that are tried and tested by some of the most well-traveled YouTubers. Now, these are only for reference and could help you decide on your style of travel and how you want to go about it. 

We will look at three traveling couples sharing their experiences: Eamon and Bec, Kara and Nate, and Raya and Louis. All 3 of these travel-loving couples have seen more of their fair share of the world, and we can learn something from them. 

The Heat Is On In Saigon... After Nine Years

Happy 2024, everyone! We welcomed the new year full of hope. 2023 has been a great year despite some speed bumps along the way. Travel was the theme in 2023 and will be the same for this year. To start off the year, let me share some of the photos I took during my recent trip to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, in November last year.

I visited this city twice. The last time was nine years ago. It wasn't part of my trip, but I booked a ticket months before the trip. My colleagues invited me, and I've already traveled with them, so I'm not worried about adjusting to new people on a trip. We stayed around the District 1 area since it's accessible to most places. Not to mention that Saigon is way cheaper than Manila! True enough, your dollars will go a long way–with so many zeroes in your wallet, it feels great when you're carrying literally millions of dongs in your wallet!

So many things have changed since the last time I've been in Saigon. There were local excursions that I hadn't tried during my last visit, ate some of the best Vietnamese food and coffee, shopped 'til I dropped, and partied hard late at night. Saigon may not be for the faint-hearted traveler. It's chaotic, the language barrier still exists in some parts of the city (but they're improving in most aspects of communication), and scammers are still present. Utopia doesn't exist, so I didn't really mind these.

I used my Sony a6400 35mm f1.8 to take these photos, and post-processing was done in Lightroom. Cam on, Saigon! I'll be back soon.

Embrace Clean Eating While Savoring Your Favorite Indulgences With These Tips

Photo by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash

When it comes to our house, we often think about so many different areas. One of the most vital points is our nutrition. If we can spend the majority of our lives eating properly, we will be in a much better place to enjoy life. It’s just a case of figuring out how to sort out our nutrition in the first place. We can look at lots of different wellness tips throughout our existence, but not a single one of them will matter if the foods we eat aren’t correct. The problem is that nutrition can be a bit of a minefield for a lot of people. It’s quite confusing and can make people not stick to things. 

The truth is that nutrition and eating properly are both actually very simple. It’s just a case of putting things into action. We can all appreciate the foods we enjoy whilst eating healthy and getting all of the right nutrients in our bodies. We shouldn’t have to overcomplicate it or overthink it. If you’re curious, here’s how we can make it happen: 

Back in Hong Kong after 8 years

Nestled along the southern coast of China, Hong Kong stands as a vibrant metropolis where East meets West, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese culture with the dynamic pace of modern urban life. 

From its bustling markets and culinary delights to its lush green landscapes and iconic Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong captivates visitors with its diversity and energy, making it a captivating destination that bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. 

Join me on a journey to explore the multifaceted allure of Hong Kong, a city that encapsulates the spirit of dynamism and cultural fusion.

Love Animals? How To Take An Animal-Packed Vacation

Pexels Image - CC0 Licence

Are you an animal lover? Maybe your kids are always on the lookout for birds, insects, and wild animals when you go out? Either way, there’s an animal lover in the family! And as a special treat, you’d love to travel and find out what interesting, cute, and downright weird wildlife there is in other parts of the world. 

Although, planning an animal-packed vacation might seem a little bit complicated. Other than booking tickets to a zoo or a safari, and then finding a park to watch birds in, what can you do? Well, we’ve got a few ideas down below that might interest you!

3 Great Tips For A Vacation In Ontario

Image Credit: Jan Weber from Unsplash.

Canada is full of great places to vacation, and Ontario is one of the more notable. Even if you don’t see all of Ontario, you can still have an amazing time. You’ll pack your trip full of activities and enjoy the entire time when you’re there.

If you want to vacation in Ontario, you’ll already know how amazing it can be. You’ll still need to put some time and effort into it, however. It’s not as simple as just packing a bag and hopping on a plane.

It’s worth going through a few tips that’ll guarantee you have a great time when you’re there.

I Switched Back to my Mirrorless Camera from Smartphone Photography

For those who didn't know yet, I used to be an advocate of smartphone photography and videography. While flagship phones offer some of the world's best technologies, including computational photography, mirrorless cameras still offer the best quality photos. Don't get me wrong, cameras these days also have their set of imperfections, but during my last trip to Perth, I brought my 6-year-old mirrorless camera with a 50mm f1.8 prime lens, and I told myself that I should switch back to using the camera for photos and videos.

So, last month, I upgraded to a new camera system. After doing some careful research online and consultations with my photographer friends, I switched to Sony. I bought a brand new Sony a6400 with a kit lens and a 35mm f1.8 prime lens.  It didn't disappoint. I took some test shots, and I was blown away. For now, I'm planning to stick with my trust 35mm prime lens for my future travels in Melbourne, Bali, Hong Kong, and Saigon. I also purchased some accessories online, so I am stoked to create new travel content using my new camera!

Here are some photos I took using my Sony a6400.