At half past ten in the morning, we were in front of an ice cream display freezer while choosing the flavor we wanted. I was immediately drawn to avocado while Christian chose cheese and Akira got chocolate. The ice cream was given to us one-by-one on a cone made from cassava. We then settled on one of the rustic wood benches and enjoyed the yummy treat overlooking the Bohol Sea. So much has changed at Bohol Bee Farm, but the signature ice cream from their Buzz Café is truly a must-try. It was the ninth day of our Bohol trip when we decided to spend a day away from the beach as we’ve been swi ..read more

Saint Valentine’s Day. Ninth grader. The number of days in a fortnight. Fourteen. Labing-apat. Today marks the 14th year of my journey here in this little space of mine in the blogosphere. And yes, I’m still here. It was the Christmas season after my dad died in 2010 when I first arranged a D-I-Y trip to Cebu and Bohol with some of my friends. During that time, I realized that traveling makes me feel alive and happy—like I was born to do this. My online journal was born after that trip, this space. I started this blog to document my travels and some anecdotes from my not-so-exciting everyday ..read more

The morning after my very first onsen experience, I felt how relieved my body was that I thought of going for a jog around the city. However, I chose to chill on our private balcony as I sipped my morning coffee using our own coffee machine in the room. I was captivated by the scenic countryside Japanese Alps while counting the number of trains that passed by. It was a beautiful morning in Mecure Hida Takayama, our home for four days in this mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture. Christian and I have been to Japan several times but it was during this trip when our son, Akira, had a first look ..read more

During our recent trip to the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town in Penang, Malaysia, I realized how the check-in and check-out times in hotels became so extreme. From checking in at four in the afternoon and checking out at ten in the morning. Some short-term vacation rentals may have a more flexible time, but the problem of storing your luggage for the remaining part of the day surely poses a problem. Recently, I came across a website wherein they offer an online booking service to store your luggage in over 13,000+ locations in 4,000+ cities worldwide. Bounce is the world’s ..read more

It was a hot and humid June afternoon at Panglao Island in Bohol which prevented us from going to Alona Beach. As adrenaline junkies, we went out of our comfy room and checked out the available board games in the lounge area and played “Spot it!”, a card game that Akira got hooked to. We were frantically getting competitive when one of the staff came to our table and handed out a red rose to Christian. She then greeted him with a “Happy Fathers’ Day”. It made us stop for a bit and relish that moment because, after four years of being a father, it was his first time to receive a flower for tha ..read more

It was a hot and humid June afternoon at Panglao Island in Bohol which prevented us from going to Alona Beach. As adrenaline junkies, we went out of our comfy room and checked out the available board games in the lounge area and played “Spot it!”, a card game that Akira got hooked to. We were frantically getting competitive when one of the staff came to our table and handed out a red rose to Christian. She then greeted him with a “Happy Fathers’ Day”. It made us stop for a bit and relish that moment because, after four years of being a father, it was his first time to receive a flower for tha ..read more

It was seven in the evening and while some kids were having dinner at home, Akira, our son, was busy playing while swimming with his newfound friend at the beach. They could hardly see each other and there was a language barrier but they played along very well. The fine white sandy beach of Quinale in Anda, Bohol was their playground for almost two hours now and nobody seemed to get tired. I like this kind of life. I wish we could stay at the beach every day. Every. Single. Day. It was June of 2024 and the start of my annual school break when our backpacking trip commenced. We spent 22 days i ..read more

It was four-thirty in the morning and I was awakened by the burst of light coming from our window. It was the break of dawn and the early morning light was starting to peek from the Mirai Tower. I slowly lowered the roller shades down and watched as my husband and son were in their usual weird sleeping positions. I smiled and went to the sofa then made myself a cup of the oh-so-good instant coffee from Travelodge Nagoya Sakae and started my usual morning “me” time. My two-month school break commenced our annual family backpacking trip. We had the opportunity to travel via 2GO Travel Ship to ..read more

This short Switzerland trip review is about the treasured memories I got to make with my husband and how Thrillophilia helped me plan it all. Switzerland is my husband’s dream destination and he has always talked about going there with me since we met. So, for our third marriage anniversary, I could not think of a better gift than a trip to Switzerland. Also, I had been saving up from months without him having a clue about it. I had already selected the package I wanted which was ‘Best of Swiss and France’ for 7 days and 6 nights. I had planned everything months ago with Thrillophilia and was ..read more

Singapore is a vibrant destination that offers a mix of urban sophistication, lush greenery, and unique cultural experiences. Whether you're exploring the iconic Marina Bay or immersing yourself in the city's rich heritage, there is something for every traveler. Here are seven exciting things to do on your Singapore trip, ensuring you experience the best that this dynamic city-state has to offer. 1. Marvel at the Views from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark One of the most recognizable landmarks in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands is an architectural marvel. The SkyPark, perched atop the three towering h ..read more